Another issue that divides Baptists and Presyterians and their end-times views the definition of a true Jew, or what people make up true Israel. There are ethnic Jews and Spiritual Jews in Scripture. But which group gets which promises?
Before I get started though, I totally Amen what Paul says about ethnic Israel in Romans 11. They were God's original people, first to receive the Covenant Promises, and first to be loved just because God loved them. Even though now they are temporarily blinded as punishment for their final Covenant breaking, God will not permanantly forsake them. Even now, as always, God is saving a remnant of Jews through missions and the preaching of the Gospel, and many Jews have put their faith in the Messiah. And finally as Paul preaches, there will be a great revival when the ones who rejected and pierced Christ their King will bow down, repent, and be gloriously reconciled to the one they so terribly rejected.
So, back to the argument. Paul states, "For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham." He continues, "That is, those who are the children of the flesh (i.e. ethnic Jews only), these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise (i.e. believers) are counted as the seed.
Who will inherit the promises of God? All Jews? Paul says no. Only those counted as true children.
Who are Abrahams true Children? Galatians 3:29, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs accordingm to the promise." If you're faith is in Christ, you are a True Israelite, and YOU will inherit the promises if God to Israel. Gentiles we're never Plan B. In Hosea we read, "I will call them My people, who were not My people...".
There are ethnic circumcised Jews who are not true Israel, and there are uncircumcised Gentiles who are true Israel. Saved Gentiles are not second class believers in the promises of God.
There are not two plans for two people, but only one. It's bears repeating Galatians 3:29, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."
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