Q-A: When did the Grace Dispensation Begin?

The dispensation of grace has less to do with it starting at a specific moment in time, and more to do with the proclamation of a new salvation message from God. It's not so much linked to the event of Pentecost in Acts 2, or the conversion of Paul in Acts 9, or him turning to the Gentiles in Acts 28, and more to do with receiving a message of God's abundant grace without the need of works and endurance. I'm not declining any reasoning that the message of grace started being proclaimed somewhere in the transitional book of ACTS, but I also hold true the point that grace started in each person individually when they hear, and received the good news that God declares them justified through the absolute and completed cross work of His Son, Jesus Christ.

So, for me, grace started with a change in gospel. Consider this, —before the message of grace went out, that is, before the news that God is not saving by a covenant of works, but rather through the cross work of His Son, the grace dispensation could never begin! Grace is not connected to time, its connected to people. People have to hear and understand that its not necessary anymore to have faith in a covenant of works, but now they can have faith in a completed work; a work that they could never attain to, one that was done for them, and freely made available to them, by grace. This message had to be given before the dispensation could start! Grace started when God changed what He was doing with humanity and changed the way we respond to Him?

There are only two possible sources of salvation, —our works, or God's grace (which is Christ's work). These two are so essentially distinct and opposite, that salvation cannot be of any combination or mixture of both, but must be wholly that of Christ's work alone, else salvation cannot exist.

Romans 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.

Romans 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.

Grace came to humanity through Jesus Christ some 2000-years ago. The dispensation of grace started with the proclamation of a message that through Christ alone (and without relying on the law or our own works), we can have right standing with God. Finally, grace became reality in each of us individually when we received that message and chose to trust in Christ and His cross work for our salvation.