First of all let us observe two features that marked the previous dispensation, but are now absent :

(1) The presence and prominence of Israel.

The testimony of the Gospels (Matt. 10:6; 15:24), the witness of Peter (Acts 3:25,26), and the testimony of Paul

(Rom. 1:16; 3:29; 9:1-5; 11:24,25, and 15:8), all combine to show that the nation of Israel was an important factor in

the outworking of the purpose of the ages and that, during the period covered by the Gospels and the Acts, no

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blessing could be enjoyed by a Gentile in independence of Israel. Today Israel are scattered over the face of the

earth, their land and city are still held by strangers, and the prophecies and promises relating to Israel are no longer

being fulfilled or enjoyed. It is evident that with the setting aside of this favoured people, a change in dispensation

was necessitated.

(2) The presence and prominence of miraculous gifts.

Throughout the public ministry of the Lord Jesus, and from Pentecost in Acts 2 until the shipwreck on the Island

of Melita in Acts 28, supernatural signs, wonders and public miracles accompanied and confirmed the preached

Word. Not only did the Lord Himself and also His apostles work miracles, but during the time of the Acts ordinary

members of the churches were in possession of spiritual gifts in such abundance that they had to seek the Apostle's

advice as to their regulation in the assembly (1 Cor. 14:26-40). The miracles of Mark 16, Acts 2, and 1 Corinthians

12 to 14 are not the normal experience of the church today. Their absence, together with the setting aside of the

people of Israel, constitute two pieces of negative evidence in favour of a new dispensation.

We are not, however, limited to negative evidence. Scripture also provides definite evidence of a positive kind,

which we must now consider.

(3) The prison ministry of the Apostle Paul.

When Paul spoke to the elders of the Church at Ephesus, he made it quite plain that one ministry was coming to

an end and another, closely associated with prison, was about to begin. He reviewed his past services among them

and told them, among other things, that they should see his face no more (Acts 20:17-38). Later, before King

Agrippa, he revealed the important fact that when he was converted and commissioned by the Lord, in Acts 9, he

had been told that at some subsequent time the Lord would appear to him again and give him a second commission

(Acts 26:15-18).

(4) The dispensational boundary of Acts 28.

Right up to the last chapter of the Acts, Israel and miraculous gifts continued to occupy their pre-eminent place

(Acts 28:1-10,17,20). Upon arrival at Rome, Paul, although desirous of visiting the Church (Rom. 1:11-13), sent

first for the `chief of the Jews', telling them that `for the hope of Israel' he was bound with a chain. After spending a

whole day with these men of Israel, seeking unsuccessfully to persuade them `concerning Jesus' out of the law and

the prophets, he pronounced finally their present doom of blindness, adding :

` Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it'

(Acts 28:28).

During the two years of imprisonment that followed, the Apostle ministered to all that came to him, teaching

those things which `concern the Lord Jesus Christ' with no reference this time either to the law or to the prophets

(Acts 28:30,31).

(5) The present dispensation a new revelation.

The omission of `the law and the prophets' from Acts 28:31, as compared with verse 23, is an important point.

Throughout the early ministry of the Apostle he makes continual and repeated appeal to the Old Testament

Scriptures. But when one examines the `Prison Epistles' one is struck by the absence of quotation. The reason for

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Since writing these words, Israel have become a nation in their own land. One movement nearer `the end' has been