Acts Viewed Prophetically and Dispensationally

CHART OF THE BOOK OF ACTS
Viewed Prophetically and Dispensationally This table shows some of the characteristics of God's programs, beginning when He offered to restore the kingdom to Israel. It indicates the dispensational changes that occurred after Israel rejected the witness of the Holy Spirit (with the stoning of Stephen, a man filled with the Holy Spirit). Finally, at Acts 28:28, God withdrew His offer to restore all things which He had spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets since time began. (Acts 3:19-21). At this time the great Mystery was revealed, and very significant changes began to be dispensed to His "gathering" the Body of Christ. Much more could be added, but this should be a good beginning.

CHART OF THE BOOK OF ACTS

Viewed Prophetically and Dispensationally

This table shows some of the characteristics of God's programs, beginning when He offered to restore the kingdom to Israel. It indicates the dispensational changes that occurred after Israel rejected the witness of the Holy Spirit (with the stoning of Stephen, a man filled with the Holy Spirit). Finally, at Acts 28:28, God withdrew His offer to restore all things which He had spoken by the mouth of his holy prophets since time began. (Acts 3:19-21). At this time the great Mystery was revealed, and very significant changes began to be dispensed to His "gathering" the Body of Christ. Much more could be added, but this should be a good beginning.

	Acts 2 – 7	Acts 8 – 28	After Acts 28:28
Characteristics of the period	Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) fulfilled.	Mystery of Israel’s blindness	The great Mystery (secret) hid in God.
The offer of the millennial kingdom	Offer officially made. Acts 3:19-21	Offer is still available, God's longsuffering.	Offer of the kingdom is now in abeyance.
Israel’s response to the offer	Jerusalem Jews reject it. Acts 4 – 8	Jews of the dispersion reject it.	The King & His kingdom rejected.
God’s way of reaching Israel	Call to repentance. Ceremonial washing away of sins. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16	Call to repentance. Mystery of Israel’s blindness. Gentiles saved cause jealousy Rom 11:11; Acts 22:21. Israel to either be saved or hardened.	Mystery of Israel’s blindness is abolished. Individual Jews now approach God simply as sinners. No covenants are in force.
Israel’s access to God	Access to God as a covenant people. “To you first” Acts 3:26	Access to God as a covenant people. “To the Jew first” Rom. 1:16; 2:9-10. “It was necessary” Acts 13:46	No one is “first.” Individual Jews approach God simply through God-given faith, entirely apart from previous covenants with Israel.
Gentile’s access to God	Outsider, dog, unclean, unworthy. Had Israel repented, they would have been a light for Gentile salvation.	Acts 10:35 "in every nation...acceptable" (no longer unclean). “To the Jew first, and to the Greek” Grafted into the olive tree.	Has non-discriminatory access to salvation simply through God-given faith, entirely apart from God’s covenant with Israel.
Spiritual position of a Jewish believer	Kingdom of priests Ex. 19:6.	Jews and Gentiles one in Christ, but Jews could be “zealous of the law” Acts 21:20	No distinction. Individual believers one in Christ. Not judged for meat or drink. Col. 2:16
Spiritual position of a Gentile believer	N/A. Had Israel repented Gentiles would have been Israel’s saved bond servants.	Jews and Gentiles one in Christ, but must not eat things strangled, or blood. Acts 15:28-29; Lev 17:10-14	No distinction. Individual believers one in Christ. Not judged because of meat or drink. Col. 2:16
Sphere of blessing for a Jewish believer	Millennial blessing on earth under the spiritual blessings of the new covenant made with Israel & Judah. Acts 3	Millennial blessing on earth under the spiritual blessings of the new covenant made with Israel & Judah. Acts 26:6-7; 28:20	In the heavenlies in Christ. New covenant offer withdrawn, but many of its spiritual principles continue in the present dispensation.
Sphere of blessing for a Gentile believer	N/A. If Israel had believed, Gentiles would be subordinate servants to the priestly nation in the millennium on earth.	Grafted directly into Israel’s covenant blessing. Millennial blessing on earth under Israel's new covenant. Rom. 11 olive tree.	In the heavenlies in Christ. New covenant offer withdrawn, but many of its spiritual principles carry over and apply today.
Miracles & Signs (tongues, healers, direct revelations)	These signs shall follow believers. See list of signs in Mark 16:17-18. Signs meant to convince Jews, 1 Cor 14:22; Acts 11:17	Signs occur throughout the Acts. Compare list of gifts 1 Cor. 12:28 with the gifts in Eph 4:11	Sign gifts withdrawn since they are no longer pertinent. Compare list of gifts in 1 Cor. 12:28 with the gifts in Eph. 4:11.
*The ekklesia,* God's church, assembly, or gathering of believers.**	Promised in Mat. 16:18-19. Inaugurated at the Jewish Feast of Weeks (Pentecost). Only Jews included.	The same "church" but now Jews and Gentiles form one body in Christ, with the previously revealed millennial blessing on earth.	The same "church" but now Jews and Gentiles form one body in Christ, with spiritual blessing in the heavenlies.