A Dispensational Approach to Scripture
The underlying thought in a dispensational approach to Scripture is that God has dealt with different people in different ways at different times, and continues to do so, and that the Bible should be read with this thought in mind.
He dealt differently with man before and after the fall.
He dealt differently with man before and after the flood.
He dealt differently with man before and after the call of Abram.
From Abram's call he dealt mainly with Abraham's descendants, and sometimes indirectly with Gentiles.
He dealt differently with Israel before and after the Exodus.
He was still dealing with Israel during the gospels.
He was still dealing with Israel during Acts.
During Acts it was "to the Jew first".
The Lord had to virtually force Peter to take the gospel to gentiles.
While Paul went to the gentiles, he always went to the Jews first.
It was only after Acts 28:28 that Paul's message went specifically to the gentiles.
Before that he preached to those chosen "from the foundation of the world".
After that he preached to those chosen "before the foundation of the world".
In Paul's early epistles, gentiles were grafted into Israel.
In Paul's late epistles, gentiles were saved without reference to Israel.
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