We’ve looked at what everybody else had to say about Israel…so what about
Paul?...he was a devout Jew too, wasn’t he?
Yes, he was given the special task of taking the
gospel of Jesus Christ to us Gentiles too - the mystery of the Church that had
been hidden until then.
So had Paul given up on Israel? It sure seems like it from Acts 13:
“…seeing ye put it from you,
and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the
Gentiles.”
Certainly not! He had the same outlook as the
other apostles:
“…the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: unto which
promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come.”
Acts 26
“But even unto this day,
when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it
(Israel) shall turn to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.” 2 Corinthians 3
In fact he makes it abundantly clear that there are
three classes of people, even now:
“Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to
the Gentiles, nor to the church of God…” 1 Corinthians 10
Jews, Gentiles and the Church?? So there you have it! The Church doesn’t replace the Jews after all!
He really spells it out
in his letter to the Church in Rome, chapters 9 thru 11:
“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew….”…and later on…
“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew….”…and later on…
“For I would not,
brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in
your own conceits; that blindness in
part is happened to Israel, until
the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved:
as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn
away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall
take away their sins…as touching the election, they are beloved for the
fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
Romans 11
But somewhere doesn’t
Paul call the Church: the ‘Israel of God’?
“For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as
many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the
Israel of God.” Galatians
6
…no, he’s just wishing peace and mercy on those in the Church where Jew
or Gentile is not recognised, and also on godly Israelites.
Alright then, I’ll give you some curly ones – see if you can fit these in:
Philippians 3:3 “…we
are the circumcision…”Galatians 3:29 “…then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise…”
Romans 2:29 “…a Jew who is one inwardly…”
If you read those scriptures in context you will
find that we as Christians – albeit Gentiles – have been included by God’s
grace into the household of faith….and who showed us faith in God’s promises? Abraham.
These Jewish Christians sure had high hopes for Israel in the future.
In the meantime……….1878 years of exile: NEXT
Click on: http://hotspuds.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/1878-years-of-exile.html
Image credit: keithlannon.wordpress.com
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