What is the Age of Grace?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Dispensationalism is a theological system which divides biblical history into “dispensations,” or “ages.” Some Dispensationalists refer to the “Age of Grace” to define the current age, otherwise known as the “Church age.” The name embodies the idea that, when the church started (Acts 2), a new age in biblical history began where grace became the predominant theme. This does not mean that grace was not found in previous “dispensations” (ages), but that when Jesus came, He instituted the promised New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and resurrection finally explained how God could extend salvation to sinful men and women. The “Age of Grace” began roughly two thousand years ago. We don’t know how much longer it will last, but we do know that when Jesus returns, the opportunity for salvation will end.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The “Age of Grace,” or “Church Age,” is not clearly defined in the Old Testament. There are, however, hints of it, which became clear after the New Testament. Perhaps the clearest example is in Daniel 9:24-27. There, a prophecy about seventy “weeks” (490 years) before the end of the age is given. However, those seventy “weeks” are divided into two periods of sixty-nine “weeks” (483 years) and one “week” (7 years). The “church” was not revealed at all in the Old Testament, so it was not until the New Testament that that gap was understood as the “Church Age.”

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The theological system known as Dispensationalism divides history into multiple “dispensations,” another way of saying “ages.” The number and name of these dispensations (ages) differ depending on the theologian, but they all agree that the “Church Age” is a specific dispensation, which some call the “Age of Grace” or the “Dispensation of Grace.” The “Age of Grace” began at Pentecost (Acts 2). This was when the Holy Spirit came, and the church started. Depending on the theologian’s doctrine, this age will continue either until when Jesus returns or when He begins reigning forever in the New Jerusalem.
• The “Age of Grace” was ushered in at Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection. God’s grace is shown in that He, through His Son Jesus, provided a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sin against Him. Titus 2:11 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”
• Previously, God set up a system of sacrifice and rules for His people, the Israelites, to follow. This was the dispensation of Law and foretold Jesus’ sacrifice (John 1:29). John 1:17 says, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Jesus fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). We are now under grace, not law (Romans 6:15).
• To be clear, God always has been and always will be gracious. Salvation has always been an act of God’s grace, received through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 11). Those living under the law experienced God’s grace in multiple ways, not the least of which was God’s provision of a temporary system to make atonement for sins and His promise of a Messiah. Their faith in Him was credited to them as righteousness (Romans 4:13-25). The repeated sacrifices made under the law foreshadowed Jesus’ one-time sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1-10).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The Old Testament prophets longed to understand how God could be gracious and just (1 Peter 1:10-12; c.f., Romans 3:26). It was not until Jesus came and instituted the church (the “Age of Grace”) that their questions were answered.

The question is the same today: “How can a holy God who demands perfection ever dwell with sinful mankind?” Since everyone is sinful (Romans 3:9-18), then logic would seem to dictate that no one can be saved. Yet, the Old Testament was full of promises that He would save.

Those promises were fulfilled in Jesus, the Son of God. As fully God, He is perfect. However, He took on human form and was born into our world (Philippians 2:6-8). As fully human, he was exactly like us but without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Only sinners deserve death (Romans 6:23a), so there was no reason for Him to die. But He did so willingly to be a sacrifice for sinful men and women. When He did, the Father poured out the wrath He had reserved for sinners onto Jesus. In that way, Jesus became the solution to the puzzle: Those who trust in Jesus for salvation have had their sin paid for in full by Him. Because there is no more penalty due for believers, they can dwell with God.

After Jesus resurrected and returned to heaven, He sent His Spirit to start the church (Acts 2), beginning the current “Age of Grace.” In this age, God has opened the only way to be saved. However, when this dispensation (age) ends, grace will also end, and Jesus will return with wrath against all unbelievers.

Therefore, the current “Age of Grace” is the full display of God’s grace and explains how anyone can be right with Him. However—we must repent and trust in Him for this once-in-eternity opportunity to escape wrath and dwell with God for eternity.

UNDERSTAND

• The Age of Grace began at Pentecost and will end at Jesus’ return.
• The Age of Grace emphasizes salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, not by the Law.
• God’s grace has always existed, but this age fully reveals it.

REFLECT

• What thoughts or habits make it difficult for you to rest in God’s grace instead of striving to earn His approval?
• How does the reality that grace will not last forever shape the way you prioritize your spiritual life?
• What specific moments in your life have helped you understand the depth of God’s grace more clearly?

ENGAGE

• How does recognizing this era as the Age of Grace help us better understand the purpose of the church today?
• In what ways can believers reflect God’s grace in a culture that often misunderstands or misuses the idea of grace?
• What changes might occur in our communities if we lived with a deeper awareness that the opportunity for salvation—God’s grace— is limited to this age?