Romans 11 concludes a discourse that begins in chapter 9 concerning the ‘Remnant’ and God’s plans for Israel. Unfortunately, an unbiblical doctrine, namely Replacement Theology, has arisen in the Body of Christ and has caused much division, including Christian antiSemitism. Let me explain…⠀⠀
What is Replacement Theology?
First, let’s describe what Replacement Theology is. It essentially removes Israel’s national destiny and ownership of the Promised Land because of their rejection of the Messiah. It states the Church is the new “Israel of God” and all the blessings and covenant promises are now spiritual promises for the Church alone. While the Gentiles certainly can walk in the promises given to Abraham, we do so because we are grafted in, not because we have replaced Israel. Such misguided beliefs and theology can lead to Christian antiSemitism. This is dangerous territory. Why? Because God does not break covenants. He is faithful. Israel may have been faithless but He has preserved a Remnant and Israel has always been and will remain God’s chosen people to bring redemption to the world. Remember, salvation is of the Jews! Jesus said this Himself.
“You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.”
John 4:22 NKJV
God’s promises are eternal
Second, some teach the Abrahamic covenant has been reconstructed. It is now only spiritual promises for the Church and not literal ones for Israel. This is not what the full counsel of scripture indicates. It is important for us to allow scripture to interpret scripture. God’s promise to Abraham was an everlasting one.
“And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.”⠀
Genesis 17:7-8 ESV
“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?”
Romans 11:1-2 ESV ⠀
All Israel will be saved
Finally, there is a promise yet to be fulfilled that all Israel will be saved. Praise God! He is faithful to His promises. A partial and temporary hardening of the Jews occurred so the Gentiles could be grafted into the vine and reap the benefits as the spiritual seed of Abraham. But God’s redemptive plan for Israel remains nonetheless. ⠀⠀
“Lest you be wise in your own sight I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”⠀⠀⠀
Romans 11:25-27 ESV⠀
Why is this important to understand? So we do not become puffed up in our own estimation and (God forbid) become antiSemitic. This is a serious problem for those elements of the Church today who embrace this dangerous theology. It was part of the reason for the Holocaust. We must never forget Christianity is a Jewish sect. Let’s pray for Israel and its people. They are His. What do you think? Drop us a comment…