THREE DISPENSATIONS OF RELIGION
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      PARTIARCHAL                JEWISH                CHRISTIAN
     (2500+ years)            (1500 years)            (2000 years)
     Adam to Sinai         Sinai to Pentecost     Pentecost to Present
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Introduction:
   1. A study of the three dispensations (ages) under which man has lived.
   2. God's revelations have been progressive. Knowledge was given as man
      had need. Compare: Mississippi River: Begins small, enlarges to full
      size river. Information concerning Christ (and man's salvation)
      had small beginning, but developed and finally culminated in His
      glorious reign over the Family of God.

I. SIMILARITIES:
   1. God was working for the salvation of man in each age.
       Noah, Moses, Peter
   2. In each age God desired consecrated human character.
       Abraham, Priest, All men
   3. God desired outward separation from sin and inward holiness.
       Noah, Moses, Gal. 5:10
       Standards differed, but fundamentals are the same. "Keep thyself
            pure."
   4. In every age God used men working with Him to save other men.
       Man is the instrument: Noah, Aaron, Paul, Peter, etc.
   5. Required:
       (1) Faith (Existence of God)
       (2) Obedience (Authority of God)
       (3) Sacrifice (Justice and Righteousness of God)

II. DIFFERENCES:

     PARTIARCHAL              JEWISH                   CHRISTIAN
1. Fleshly birth        1. Fleshly birth        1. Spiritual birth
2. Animal Sacrifice     2. Animal Sacrifice     2. Sacrifice of Christ
                                                   Heb. 9:13-14; 10:10
3. Animal Blood         3. Animal Blood         3. Blood of Christ
4. Father--Head         4. Priest--Head         4. Christ--Head
                                                   Eph. 1:21-23
5. No complete          5. No complete          5. Complete forgiveness
   forgiveness             forgiveness             1 Jn. 1:7-9
6. Father Lawgiver      6. Moses Lawgiver       6. Christ Lawgiver
7. Altars               7. Tabernacle           7. Spiritual
                                                   1 Pet. 2:5; Jn. 4:23,24
8. Family               8. National             8. Individual
                                                   Jn 4:23; Acts 17:24

III. SUPERIORITY OF THE GOSPEL OVER THE LAW:
   1. The Name -----Christian
   2. The King------Greatest, Jesus Christ
   3. Subjects------All men
   4. Promises------Forgiveness of Sins; eternal life, etc.
   5. The Laws------Love instead of rituals.

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