(Understanding the Heart of the Dispensation of Grace)
One of the most transformative truths in Scripture is the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret since the world began. This is the key to understanding the present age of grace and the Church’s unique place in God’s eternal plan.
The Apostle Paul reveals this mystery, not only in his writings but as the very foundation of our understanding of the Christian life today. It is distinct from anything revealed in the Old Testament or even the Gospels.
Let’s dive into what this mystery is, why it was hidden, and how it affects us today.
1. What is the Mystery?
The “mystery” (Greek: musterion) is a truth that was not revealed in previous ages, but was only disclosed to the Apostle Paul after his conversion. This truth, the mystery of the Body of Christ, is the central theme of Pauline Dispensationalism.
Paul writes about this mystery in Romans 16:25-26, saying,
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest…” (Romans 16:25-26 KJV)
The mystery, in its essence, is the church, the Body of Christ — the union of Jews and Gentiles as one in Christ without distinction or requirement of law. This truth was hidden in God and revealed only after the resurrection of Christ. The formation of the Church, made up of both Jews and Gentiles in one Body, was never hinted at or foretold in the Old Testament.
2. Why Was It Kept Secret?
The reason the mystery was kept secret is found in Ephesians 3:9,
“And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.”
The mystery could not be revealed until after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God’s program for the Gentiles and the Church, as well as the dispensation of grace, was not a backup plan but part of God’s sovereign plan. The Old Testament prophets could not have known about the Church, the Body of Christ, because God had not revealed it to them.
As Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 2:7,
“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory.”
This “hidden wisdom” refers to the mystery of the Church, which is distinct from Israel’s prophetic program. It is not based on the law or the kingdom promises to Israel. Instead, it was a new revelation—the gospel of the grace of God given to Paul to preach (Galatians 1:11-12).
3. The Mystery Revealed: The Body of Christ
The Church, the Body of Christ, is the focus of the mystery revealed to Paul. The Apostle writes in Ephesians 3:6,
“That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.”
In the dispensation of grace, Jew and Gentile are brought together in one spiritual entity, the Body of Christ, without the need for the Mosaic Law, circumcision, or any of the other ceremonial requirements of Israel. This is completely distinct from God’s dealings with Israel, as shown in Romans 11:25-26, where Paul says that God’s plan for Israel is temporarily set aside until the “fullness of the Gentiles” has come in.
4. A New Way of Salvation and Living
The mystery reveals that salvation today is by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9), and it is apart from the works of the law (Romans 3:28). This is the central truth of the dispensation of grace — we are saved by grace and are called to live by grace.
Paul explains this in Romans 6:14,
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Under the mystery, believers are no longer under the law of Moses. Instead, they are under grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and free to serve God in the newness of life through Christ (Romans 7:6).
5. The Church’s Role in God’s Plan
Understanding the mystery also helps us understand the role of the Church today. We are not a continuation of Israel or the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The Church is a new creation in Christ, and our mission is to preach the gospel of grace to the world, without the law.
As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:19,
“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
Our job, as members of the Body of Christ, is to reconcile the world to God through the message of grace. We are ambassadors for Christ, representing His finished work on the cross, and calling people to believe in the gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20).
6. The Danger of Mixing Law and Grace
One of the greatest challenges in understanding the mystery is the danger of mixing law and grace. Many in the church today still try to live according to the Mosaic Law or mix it with grace. But as Paul warns in Galatians 5:1,
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
The Church today is not under the law, but under grace. Attempting to live according to the law, or mixing grace with law, leads to confusion, frustration, and a powerless Christian life. The true Christian life is lived from grace and empowered by the Spirit — not by legalistic rules or striving for perfection.
Conclusion: The Revelation of the Mystery Changes Everything
The revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began changes everything. It shifts our understanding of salvation, our identity in Christ, and our mission as the Church.
The dispensation of grace is a distinct and privileged period in God’s plan. We live in an age where God’s grace is fully revealed, and through Paul’s ministry, we can understand how to walk in the fullness of that grace.
Let’s embrace the truth of the mystery and live in the freedom and joy that it brings. As Paul says in Colossians 1:27,
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
This is the mystery revealed, and it is the essence of our faith in the dispensation of grace.
