How many dispensations are there in the bible?

Answer 1

That would depend upon the branch of Christianity that believes in dispensation. For Catholics, it is a Papal power to rescind a law or modify it so something not commonly allowed will temporarily be allowed. Like marrying someone who was divorced or closely related. Dispensations were commonly paid for in Medieval times and this was a major factor for the Protestant Reformation.

For some others like Calvinist there are 7 dispensations periods - times in Scripture where God reveals something particular to test mankind until the end. Many within Christianity do not ascribe to either of these two interpretations.

There is a general understanding of some Christians that God's Church has a governmental structure which He gave authority to certain men to lead each era through their times, preaching to the lambs (those who have been called but not converted) and growing the sheep (those converted and needing nourishment to grow).