WHY RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS DESPISE DISPENSATIONALISM
And Why Their Arguments Collapse Under the Weight of Scripture.
1. Objection: “Dispensationalism is a modern invention.”
Claim: It originated with John Darby in the 1800s and is not found in church history.
Rebuttal
The term might have been systematized recently, but the concept of dispensations comes straight from Scripture the day they were penned:
GOD Himself Gave The Dispensation - His Words, Not Ours 
Ephesians 3:2 “If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:”
Ephesians 1:10 “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ...”
1 Corinthians 9:17 “A dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.”
Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God
The Holy Spirit used the term “dispensation” (Greek: oikonomia) to describe divinely revealed administrations.
Truth: Dispensationalism is not man-made. It is God inspired - Scripture-based.- You either believe Gods Word or you don't
2. Objection: “Dispensationalism divides the Bible too much.”
Claim: It breaks the unity of Scripture and fragments God’s redemptive plan.
Rebuttal:
Dispensationalism does not divide God — it rightly divides His Word as He commanded:
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God... rightly dividing the word of truth.”
God never changes (Mal. 3:6), but His dealings with man do. He spoke to:
Adam differently than Noah
Abraham differently than Mosses
Israel under law differently than the Body of Christ under grace
Prophets through visions, but speaks to us through His written Word - doctrinally through Paul’s epistles
2 Tim. 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Cor. 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Truth: Scripture teaches progressive revelation, not flat uniformity. God’s plan unfolds through distinct administrations and Paul's epistles complete the Word of God - Are you saved by building an ark, sacrificing animals, keeping the law, selling all you have.....
Colossians 1:25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God
3. Objection: “Dispensationalism teaches 2 gospels.”
Claim: It falsely teaches that Paul had a different gospel than Peter.
Rebuttal
Galatians 2:7 “...when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter...”
Galatians 1:11 “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.”
God gave Peter a gospel for Israel according to prophecy (earthly kingdom, law, prophecy), and gave Paul a gospel for the Gentiles (heavenly calling, mystery, grace alone).
Truth: Both gospels were given by the same Lord Jesus Christ, but to different audiences at different times, for distinct purposes. Both are rooted in Faith in Christ
4. Objection: “Dispensationalism teaches salvation by works in other dispensations.”
Claim: It undermines the gospel by suggesting there were times people weren’t saved by grace through faith. Rebuttal:
Salvation has always been by grace through faith — but the content of that faith has changed:
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord... 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. 14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch
Genesis 15:6 “And he [Abraham] believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” Abraham did not trust in the Finished work of Christ - He believed God would give him a son, land and make him the father of many nations
Have you done this? Peter and the 12 did...
Luke 18:18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments (LAW), Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
1 John 5:1 “He that believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God...”
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name
Acts 16:31 “...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
We believe not on a Name but on His finished work for our immediate salvation -
1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God - Did Noah or Abraham place their faith in the blood of Christ for their righteousness?
Abraham believed God's promise of a seed, land and that he would be the father of many nations, Israel had to believe in Christ as the Messiah, be baptized and perform the works of the law (by the power of the Holy Spirit), but today we believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor. 15:1–4).
Truth: Salvation is always by grace through faith — but the object of that faith varies according to God's revelation at the time.
5. Objection: “Dispensationalism denies the Kingdom is now.”
Claim: Dispensationalists teach a postponed kingdom and miss Christ's reign now.
Rebuttal:
Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.”
Matthew 6:10 “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
Jesus is not reigning on earth yet, those who think He is are under a very strong delusion, we are currently living in a very evil world — He is seated in heaven awaiting His return (Acts 2:34–35) to fulfill all prophecy. We are destined for a Heavenly eternity, not earthlyGalatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
2 Corinthians 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens
We are in the dispensation of grace (His Words not ours), not the kingdom, we are promised suffering before reigning with Him (future)
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Truth: The kingdom is future and literal, not symbolic or spiritualized just as every other prophecy was fulfilled literally. Understanding the mystery given to Paul, helps you understand the pause in prophecy and the delay in the coming kingdom
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things
6. Objection: “Dispensationalism rejects the Sermon on the Mount for Christians.”
Claim: It teaches Jesus’ words don’t apply to us.
Rebuttal: 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works
Matthew 15:24 “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Matthew 10:5–6 “These twelve Jesus sent forth... Go not into the way of the Gentiles...”
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers
1 Corinthians 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him (Saul/Paul), Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
John 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office
1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Jesus’ earthly ministry was to Israel under the Law, not the Body of Christ under grace and He told us that numerous times - so yes, we absolutely obey His Words. Christ sent Paul to us, Christs words absolutely apply to us including His command to rightly divide Scripture and follow Paul - The one whom He sent...
Romans 6:14 “For ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Truth: The Sermon on the Mount contains kingdom law for Israel, not Church doctrine. All Scripture is for us, but not all is to us.
Even the 12 Apostles attended temple sacrifices post ascension - should we do the same....
Acts 3:1 — Peter and John Go to the Temple at the Hour of Prayer “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.”
This is the time of the evening sacrifice (Exodus 29:39–41).
Peter and John were still participating in temple worship, which would have included sacrifices, as the temple system was still fully active.
Luke 24:53 Continual Temple Worship After the Resurrection
“And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.”
— where animal sacrifices were part of daily worship under the law. Every Sabbath (Saturday), an extra set of sacrifices was offered.
Numbers 28:9–10 “And on the sabbath day two lambs… beside the continual burnt offering…”4/5
The Fact Is, God Dealt Differently with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Israel, and the Church (Body of Christ) - that is irrefutable
Each with unique expectations, messages, responsibilities, and revelations and destinations
Hebrews 1:1–2 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past... hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son...”
God Himself administers the dispensations — different stewardships, suited to His unfolding plan, whether people like it or not
Why Do So Few Believe It?
If Mid-Acts Dispensationalism really is the key to understanding the Bible without contradiction...
Why don’t most churches teach it?
Why do they ignore Paul’s unique apostleship and mix law with grace, prophecy with mystery, Israel with the Body?
1. Truth Has Always Been Rejected by the Majority
Throughout Scripture the crowd has almost always resisted God's truth - The Majority of Israel rejected Christ.
1 Peter 3:20 Noah's Day: “Few, that is, eight souls were saved...”
1 Kings 19:10 Elijah’s Time: “I, even I only, am left...”
Jesus warned:
Matthew 7:14 “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way... and few there be that find it.”
Most churches don’t teach the mystery (Eph. 3:1–9) because they do not even know it and the fact is that truth is not popular.
2. The Mystery Was Hidden — And Remains Still Hidden To Most
Paul did not preach what the prophets preached. He preached something hidden: and unfortunately his epistles are not written in red ink
Romans 16:25 “The revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”
Ephesians 3:3 “By revelation he made known unto me the mystery...”
Hidden means:
It’s not found in the Old Testament - so you cannot claim all of those healing/prosperity and land promises
It’s not in the red letters of Jesus’ earthly ministry
It was revealed exclusively to Paul (Gal. 1:11–12) confirmed by Peter (2 Peter 3:15)
Today churches miss Paul’s gospel because they focus on mans tradition over revelation (Mark 7:13).
“We’ve always taught this...”
“The early church fathers said...”
“The Reformers believed…”
But Paul warned:
Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” 
Right division destroys tradition — and many would rather hold on to their history than submit to the Word of God rightly divided.
1 Corinthians 14:33 “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...”
Only by recognizing Paul’s apostleship (Rom. 11:13), the heavenly calling (Phil. 3:20), and the dispensation of grace (Eph. 3:2), can the confusion be cleared up and the Word of God understood.
Remember Paul Was Ignored in His Own Day, Too
Dispensational truth has never been popular or widely accepted — not even when Paul was alive:
He was accused of teaching against Moses (Acts 21:21)
He was constantly under attack from both Jews and Christians
Abandoned by Asia:
2 Timothy 1:15 “All they which are in Asia be turned away from me...”
If Paul’s message was marginalized and rejected at the beginning, should we really be surprised it’s still rejected now?
Satan Blinds Minds — Especially to This Truth
2 Corinthians 4:3–4 “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not...”
2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will
Satan’s strategy is not just attacking Scripture (Hath God Said) — it’s mixing what God has separated:
Israel with the Body
Law with Grace
Prophecy with Mystery
2 Timothy 2:15 “Rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Satan fights this the most
The Fact Is, God Dealt Differently with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Israel, and the Church (Body of Christ) - that is irrefutable
Each with unique expectations, messages, responsibilities, and revelations and destinations
Hebrews 1:1–2 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past... hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son...”
God Himself administers the dispensations — different stewardships, suited to His unfolding plan, whether people like it or not
Why Do So Few Believe It?
If Mid-Acts Dispensationalism really is the key to understanding the Bible without contradiction...
Why don’t most churches teach it?
Why do they ignore Paul’s unique apostleship and mix law with grace, prophecy with mystery, Israel with the Body?
1. Truth Has Always Been Rejected by the Majority
Throughout Scripture the crowd has almost always resisted God's truth - The Majority of Israel rejected Christ.
1 Peter 3:20 Noah's Day: “Few, that is, eight souls were saved...”
1 Kings 19:10 Elijah’s Time: “I, even I only, am left...”
Jesus warned:
Matthew 7:14 “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way... and few there be that find it.”
Most churches don’t teach the mystery (Eph. 3:1–9) because they do not even know it and the fact is that truth is not popular.
2. The Mystery Was Hidden — And Remains Still Hidden To Most
Paul did not preach what the prophets preached. He preached something hidden: and unfortunately his epistles are not written in red ink
Romans 16:25 “The revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.”
Ephesians 3:3 “By revelation he made known unto me the mystery...”
Hidden means:
It’s not found in the Old Testament - so you cannot claim all of those healing/prosperity and land promises
It’s not in the red letters of Jesus’ earthly ministry
It was revealed exclusively to Paul (Gal. 1:11–12) confirmed by Peter (2 Peter 3:15)
Today churches miss Paul’s gospel because they focus on mans tradition over revelation (Mark 7:13).
“We’ve always taught this...”
“The early church fathers said...”
“The Reformers believed…”
But Paul warned:
Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Right division destroys tradition — and many would rather hold on to their history than submit to the Word of God rightly divided.
1 Corinthians 14:33 “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace...”
Only by recognizing Paul’s apostleship (Rom. 11:13), the heavenly calling (Phil. 3:20), and the dispensation of grace (Eph. 3:2), can the confusion be cleared up and the Word of God understood.
Remember Paul Was Ignored in His Own Day, Too
Dispensational truth has never been popular or widely accepted — not even when Paul was alive:
He was accused of teaching against Moses (Acts 21:21)
He was constantly under attack from both Jews and Christians
Abandoned by Asia:
2 Timothy 1:15 “All they which are in Asia be turned away from me...”
If Paul’s message was marginalized and rejected at the beginning, should we really be surprised it’s still rejected now?
Satan Blinds Minds — Especially to This Truth
2 Corinthians 4:3–4 “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not...”
2 Timothy 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will
Satan’s strategy is not just attacking Scripture (Hath God Said) — it’s mixing what God has separated:
Israel with the Body
Law with Grace
Prophecy with Mystery
2 Timothy 2:15 “Rightly dividing the word of truth.”
Satan fights this the most CONCLUSION: Dispensationalism
It’s biblical – The word appears in Scripture numerous times
It honors context and the literal reading of Scripture – It keeps God’s promises to Israel distinct from the Church and obliterates "so called" contradictions
It exalts Christ above all else - Recognizing that He is Everything
It exalts grace – Recognizing our salvation apart from law or covenant
It preserves sound doctrine – Keeping kingdom truth in its prophetic context
It exalts God’s glory – Revealing His manifold wisdom (Eph. 3:10)
“To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God...” – Ephesians 3:9
That is dispensationalism — Simply believing Gods preserved and infallible Word - truth rightly divided. It is not a man-made system or tradition; it is the revealed Word of God, hidden from ages past but now made known through the Apostle Paul.
Those who reject dispensational truth often do so not because of a lack of evidence, but because they exalt tradition, denominationalism, or human wisdom over the plain teaching of Scripture - They simply do not believe Scripture. As Paul warned, many “corrupt the word of God” (2 Corinthians 2:17) and “handle the word of God deceitfully” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
So stand fast. You will be mocked, slandered, hated or called divisive, but remember — your stand is for the truth of God's Word, rightly divided, We are called not to please men, but God (Galatians 1:10). It is by His Word we will be judged at the Bema seat
Trust the Scriptures as they are written. Reject the philosophies and traditions of men (Colossians 2:8). Rest in the finished work of Christ and the revelation given through Paul for this present dispensation of grace (Romans 16:25) Ignore the gainsayers. It is the key to understanding God's progressive revelation and His distinct purposes for Israel and the Body of Christ and Scripture as a whole. Hold it with confidence, preach it boldly, and make all men see. (When you enter the battle - Pray without ceasing)
By Sarah Armstrong - To Him be The Glory!