The Messiah and the Covenants of Israel

Has the Church replaced Israel in the Purposes of God?

In my view - No! We continue with my reasons why we should reject the replacement view.

 

      Another verse that is quoted to support the replacement view is Romans 9.6 “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel”.  By this, it is suggested that in this reference the term Israel encompasses Gentile believers as well as Jewish believers. But this section of Romans (chapters 9 through 11) is dealing with ethnic Israel, and this verse surely must be interpreted similarly. This reference, Romans 9.6, is bracketed between two expressions of ethnic Israel. In verses 3 to 5 Paul expresses his concern regarding his Jewish brothers and sisters. “For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen”. Then the other side of verse 6 i.e. verses 7 to 9 there is another reference to ethnic Israel, that is, the children of Abraham through Sarah. “Nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called.’ That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed. For this is the word of promise: ‘At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.’” (Rom. 9:7-9) There is no indication that Paul is introducing a different definition of Israel between these two statements.

A more satisfying explanation of the teaching contained in the text “they are not all Israel who are of Israel” is that the believing remnant within the nation are identified as ‘Israel’ within ‘Israel’. That ‘Israel’ is made up of believing and unbelieving Jews. This would certainly be the understanding of the concept of ‘Jew’ in Romans 2.28,29, another verse that is used to support the view that God has replaced Israel with the Church. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” (Rom. 2:28,29) What this teaches is that a real Jew is one who is a faithful, believing child of Abraham, in contrast to someone who simply relies on having been born of Jewish parents. Again, it is dealing with the difference between believing and non-believing Jews, and is not introducing the concept of Gentiles being ‘spiritual Jews’. Paul, in this section, is addressing that old chestnut that the Jews invariably raised, “We are Abraham’s descendants” (John 8:33).  Their doctrine is given a voice in the Mishnah where it says, “All Israelites have a share in the world to come”.[1] This doctrine declares that if you are a Jew you are safe. “All Israelites” have a share in the world to come. It is true that the Mishnah does subsequently make some exceptions to the “all Israelites” but they are only those who were notoriously wicked, like Ahab. Paul is arguing that all Israelites will NOT have a share in the world to come. He is following the line of reasoning that had been expressed by Jesus,[2] and John the Baptist.[3]  The Messiah, the Fore-runner and the Apostle to the Gentiles would all tell you, outward observance is not enough; circumcision must be, “of the heart”, (Rom.2.29) that is the purpose of these verses. The distinction that Paul makes here is between Jews who trust in externals and Jews who have faith. He is not widening the concept of ‘Jew’ to include Gentiles. William MacDonald wrote: “A real Jew is the one who is not only a descendant of Abraham but who also manifests a godly life. This passage does not teach that all believers are Jews, or that the Church is the Israel of God. Paul is talking about those who are born of Jewish parentage and is insisting that the mere fact of birth and the ordinance of circumcision are not enough. There must also be inward reality”. Supporters of replacement theology must look elsewhere for firm ground to build on.

More Next Time

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[1] Mishnah: Sanhedrin 10.1.A

[2] John 8.33 ff

[3] Luke 3.8