What Is The Dispensation And Economy Of God?

For every high priest taken from among

men is ordained for men in things

pertaining to God, that He may offer

both gifts and sacrifices for sins; who 

can have compassion on the ignorant, 

and on them that are out of the way;

for that He Himself also is compassed

with infirmity. And by reason hereof 

He ought, as for the people, so also

for Himself, to offer for sins. And 

no man taketh this honor unto 

Himself, but He that is called 

of God, as was Aaron. 

Hebrews 5:1-4

     In the economy and dispensation of God men (not women) were chosen to lead the Church (women have an important role but not as leaders of the Church): "And He gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1Corinthians 12:28). For some Churches today the dispensation and economy of God for the building up of saints are not following God's words and commands. Is this dispensation really for men only? Yes! The Old Testament testifies to this doctrine: "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding," "As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before Thee" (Jeremiah 4:15; 17:16). There is warrant from the Old Testament for the doctrine in the New Testament. Women have a most important role, not lessor, but important in other ways: they teach their children, other women, do service in many other ways, but to lead the Church: NO! "But I suffer not a woman to teach, or to usurp authority the man, but to be in silence" (1Timothy 2:12). How this command is abused as to be disobedient, following after the culture of this world that attempts to empower women, to be equal with men, and they are but not in the dispensation of God for the Church. God called Aaron, not a woman, God calls men into this special service to lead the Church: This is God's way, not man's: "For Adam was first formed, the Eve" (1Timothy 2:13). To be called to lead the Church is not to be taken lightly for God set a man to lead well: "Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (1Timothy 5:17). 

     Whatever we do we do all to the glory of God: "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1Corinthians 10:31). Why will not men simply follow the word of God? Did not God take on flesh, to be found in the form of man to die for sin, our sins? Yes! So then why not simply follow His commands? Are they not of God, and are we not to follow them? Yes! Unfortunately there are some Theological school that are liberal, cultural Christians producing men to follow after this liberal Christianity and that liberal person brings to the Church that which is not Scriptural. They are not laboring in the word and doctrine, they are forming and teaching another gospel. Some so-called pastors, especially some of those who are televangelists, or preachers, living and teaching for their own self-righteousness, to be as a celebrity, rather than to be simply teaching and preaching the word of God: many follow after them getting their ears tickled. Leaders of the Church are worthy of double honor, but for some this means to be very wealthy and live in so much luxury and at the same time decry about poverty (this is called double-tongued, or speaking out both sides of the mouth at the same time), run from them, find a Church that teaches and preaches the word of God as it is written, who are following the economy and dispensation of God. Yes, this may mean that you leave behind friends, and even family Is it not better to follow God, to follow the words of Jesus that say that if we are not willing to do those things then we cannot be His friend? "For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. and a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy for me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me is not worthy of me" (Matthew 10:35-38). "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him" (John 14:21). 

      Jesus Christ has been set forth in Hebrews as our High Priest, our Savior, making it possible for all who believe and follow Him to have everlasting life, but, while we are here on this earth we will have trouble and persecution as we follow Him. We must choose: who will we follow? Man or God, this world's culture or Jesus Christ and the dispensation set forth for us to follow. Choose well!

The breath of our nostrils,

     that anointed of the LORD,

was taken in their pits, of whom

     we said, Under His shadow we 

shall live among the heathen.

                      Lamentations 5:20 

Jesus Christ: The joy of our heart

Richard L. Crumb