Mid-Acts Dispensationalism and the Bible

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What Does Scripture Say About
Mid-Acts Dispensationalism?

Mid-Acts Dispensationalism (MAD) attempts to explain a perceived conflict between the teachings of Christ and the teachings of Paul and allows Gentiles in our time to follow only the doctrine of Paul. MAD asserts that what Christ and the other apostles wrote was true for the Jews, but Gentiles have a different gospel. However, if one thing is clear from Paul's writing, it is that "there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:12-13) The following statements are a few tenets of MAD. May the Scriptures speak for themselves.

1. We are living in an unprophesied time before the kingdom of God which Christ preached.

MAD teaches that God's plan to bring salvation to the Gentiles was through the exaltation of Israel. This is taught from prophecies such as Jeremiah 3:17. "At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart." MAD teaches that salvation was not extended to the Gentiles as prophesied, but rather through the fall of the Jews. "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." (Romans 11:11). MAD holds that the Jews' rejection of Christ was never prophesied, and that Christ himself never spoke of bringing in the Gentiles, so we find ourselves in a time that was never foretold.

Paul himself quotes prophecies of Israel's rejection of Christ leading to the New Covenant which included the Gentiles.

19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.

21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

2. Christ preached about the kingdom of God. Paul did not.

MAD proponents hold that Christ's "gospel of the kingdom" is different than Paul's gospel of salvation through the fall of Israel. I know of no Scripture to support this belief.

Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Acts 20:25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

Acts 28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.

Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.

Paul's epistles use the phrase "kingdom of God" eight times, and also mention the "kingdom of Christ and of God" and the "kingdom of His dear Son."

3. Paul was sent only to the Gentiles.

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Even a cursory reading of Acts shows that, although Paul went to the Gentiles, almost everywhere he went, he first disputed in the synagogues with the Jews.

Acts 19:8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. [Is not Paul preaching the same Gospel to all?]

4. Paul was the first member of the body of Christ.

MAD actually teaches this based only on 1 Timothy 1:16: "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."

One wonders the destiny of the martyr Stephen if he was not part of the Church. Paul considered himself "the least of the apostles" and set himself only as the equal of other Church leaders.

I Cor. 1:12,13 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

I Cor. 3:5 ¶ Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

5. Paul did not practice water baptism, nor should we today.

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Peter baptized Gentiles. Acts 10:47 "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"

Paul baptized the Phillipian jailer, who was a Gentile. Acts 16:33 "And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway."

Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The Word of God shows that the teachings of Christ, Paul, and the other apostles are in harmony. If they appear to conflict, it is because we misunderstand them. Salvation is still the same for all people. All have sinned, and merit death. If we would partake of the gift of eternal life that was purchased by Christ's sacrificial death, we must believe in the God who is and who rewards them that diligently seek Him; we must repent of, or give up, our sins; and we must confess those sins to God who promises to forgive us and cleanse us of all unrighteousness. That is the beginning of the Christian life.