Dispensation

"(Gr. oikonomia, "management," "economy"). (1.) The method or" scheme according to which God carries out his purposes towards men is called a dispensation. There are usually reckoned three "dispensations, the Patriarchal, the Mosaic or Jewish, and the" "Christian. (See [160]COVENANT, Administration of.) These were so" many stages in God's unfolding of his purpose of grace toward men. The word is not found with this meaning in Scripture. "(2.) A commission to preach the gospel (1 Cor. 9:17; Eph. 1:10; 3:2; Col. 1:25). "Dispensations of Providence are providential events which affect men either in the way of mercy or of judgement.