The Bible Archive

It was tough answering these questions because of the way they were phrased. (HT: Jeremy)

This measure of our object of faith finds its power in the fact of the gospel. Christ became a servant in that Gospel so now, as a new humanity with new life, we can be proper God honoring servants. On behalf of God’s truth, Christ become a servant to those of the circumcision to authenticate and make real all of the promises given to the Jewish forefathers so therefore a Gentile believer can be a servant to those of the circumcision on behalf of God’s truth as well. Here’s how.

It is patently unfair when dispensationalists are attacked for making a distinction between the Church and Israel when theologians outside the dispensationalist camp have made a similar distinction. Indeed Paul doesn’t shy away from making the distinction when he points out that the Messiah came from the Jews.

Some have taken the fact that Gentiles have been grafted into Israel’s natural olive tree to mean that Gentiles are now actually Jews. They might try to argue the point by highlighting several verses in Romans (for instance in Romans 2 where Paul points out uncircumcised Gentiles living circumcised lives proving themselves to be more circumcised than Jews).

>

But Paul makes a point to maintain the identity of the Gentile and the Jew in mostly every passage where he deals with the two. Let me unpack that a bit.

Romans chapter 3 Paul has no problem pointing out that both Jews and Gentiles stand on the same ground before God: deserving His wrath for all have sinned and come short of His glory. But before reaching that climax he makes a point to highlight that the Jews have benefited much in every way.

In fact, when Paul speaks about the Olive Tree he highlights that natural Israel is being set aside until the bit with the Gentiles is completed. After the Gentile number is filled then All Israel will be saved. He maintains their corporate identity in both cases right through the execution of God’s partial hardening.

Elect Israel is, in regards to the gospel, an enemy for the Gentile’s sake but concerning their election they are beloved for the sake of the patriarchs. The distinction is maintained.

Paul sees support throughout the prophets that the Deliver will come from Zion and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob specifically: that is Israel. For this is God’s covenant with Israel when He promises to take away their sins—and His promise is irrevocable. God will do this at the very point when all of Israel realizes that they are not truly believers at which point God shows mercy.

In the end, therefore, a literal Israel has a promised future with a literal fulfillment based on God’s promises in His covenants…and His word must stand.

Rest of Romans series.

Today is 6/6/6 so I figured I’d write a post pointing out who is the anti-Christ, with a countdown to the 2nd coming. Some Covenant Theologians out there would actually believe that I would do that since I’m a wild-eyed fanatical dispensationalist who just doesn’t see the structure of the Bible. Absurd. Allow me to rant for a second:

God doesn?t give the serpent a chance to defend himself. Firstly it?s cursed more than all cattle and all the beast of the field. Secondly it will go on its belly and eat dust all the days of its life. Thirdly enmity will be put between the serpent and the woman and between its seed and her seed. Fourthly, the seed of the woman will injure the head of the serpent and the serpent will injure the seed of the woman on the heel. Let the fantastic musings begin!

David Dunlap

Distinguishing things that differ is essential in the interpretation of Scripture and failure to do so results in doctrinal and practical consequences. This is true in all of Scripture. Church history will show that those who were cavilier concerning subtle and important theological differences have brought great harm to the Church. The failure to distinguish between justification and sanctification damages the doctrine of grace. The failure to distinguish between law and grace muddies our understanding of salvation by grace through faith alone. So too, the failure to distinguish Israel from the Church will lead to grave consequences. Reluctance to distinguish Israel from the Church has caused some to return to barren liturgical ritual, the unbiblical separation of the clergy and the laity, and the use of military might to accomplish the will of God. Oliver Cromwell(1599-1658) serves as an illustration of the necessity of right thinking in this area.

By Bob Gessner

Besides this you know what a critical hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep-rouse to reality. For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the (full) art-nor of light. (Rom. 13:11,12, Amplified Version).