When the bible mentions grace, does it mean the same thing in each case, or does The Lord provide different types of grace with different outcomes at different times to different groups ?
If the bible says that they have/ had  the "grace" of God, and that grace can be rescinded by them defaulting on a requirement on their part to continually merit that grace, does that not still make it grace ?
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord( Ge. 6: 8 ) but it would be grace from death only if he built the Ark, and obeyed would he and his family be spared..conditional grace.

Acts 4: 32, 33


32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Is this unconditional grace ? Now look at 4 verses later...


Acts 5: 1-5

  But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back [part] of the price, his wife also being privy [to it], and brought a certain part, and laid [it] at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back [part] of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

This is after the cross..these were born again believers. Have yo ever lied to your Pastor, or failed to tithe or give generously and faithfully?

Still alive then ? This is conditional grace, and not our dispensation of grace.

Have you ever sinned willingly ? Did you repent and pray and receive forgiveness? And you know you still have the Holy Spirit ? Still have eternal life ?If you say yes, are these next verses written to you ?


Heb. 10: 27-29

  26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Heb. 12: 13-15


13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble [you], and thereby many be defiled;

Have you failed the grace of God ? Do you believe your own efforts to measure up to be holy and peacable to all men will justify to stay saved and see the Lord ? Is this the dispensation of grace you are in ?

1 Pe.3 : 7

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.


Are you ensured as being an heir to the grace of life ? Is it conditional ? If it is grace, why then in these instances does it come with the spectre of possible failure ? Is this the dispensation of grace we are in ?

2 Pe. 3: 17-18


17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Will we fall if we do not grow in grace ? Is this free grace or an earned grace ? Is this the dispensation of grace we are in ?

Rev.1 : 3-4

3 Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;


So if they do not do all the works and keep the following commands written therein, will they lose this grace to be saved from the Lord? Is this the dispensation of grace we have ?


Now , let us go and see what Paul, the apostle to the church, the body of Christ has to say about grace, and what kind of grace it is..conditional or unconditional ?

Ro. 11: 6

6 And if by grace, then [is it] no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if [it be] of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

Notice salvation is not by works, i.e., good works or deeds..Paul does however condemn and forbid evil works for us in this dispensation of grace.

Eph.3: 4-9


4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.


Is this gift of grace permanent or can it be rescinded ? Sounds like we are seated and established in Christ permanently to me. Does this match the other Apostles grace ?

Ro.3 :24

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Ro.4:4-5

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.


Gal.6 :6-86 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.


This is FREE grace that justifies. This is not a debtors salvation, but a free man's salvation. We are free from sin and derath. A reward for work rendered is conditional on that work being done. We in this dispensation of grace cannot be disqualified for lack of GOOD works, but may be for willful sin( evil works).

Paul states that if anyone preach another gospel other than what he and his disciples( not Peter, John and James) preached, let them be accursed. Are you preaching a works based salvation ? Is that what justifies you to stay saved ?

http://www.biblebelievers.com/BlueDISP.html


Alan T