Article · Israel and the ChurchIsrael and the Church
Defining the position before testing it
…(Matthew 3:9). Paul distinguished the children of the flesh from the children of promise (Romans 9:6-8). Every Jewish person, like every Gentile, must believe in Christ. None of these truths is under dispute. The disputed inference is that Christ's fulfilment, Gentile inclusion,…
Read article →Article · Israel and the ChurchIsrael and the Church
Unity in Christ and distinction in God's purpose
…the flesh" as Israelites to whom belong "the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants" (Romans 9:3-5). He can say there is no difference in the sinner's need and the gospel's availability (Romans 10:12), then distinguish Israel from the Gentiles throughout Romans 11. Equality a…
Read article →Article · Israel and the ChurchIsrael and the Church
The question reaches beyond prophecy to the faithfulness of God
…d forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." —Romans 11:1 His first answer is the believing remnant: God had not rejected every Israelite. His argument then goes further. Israel's fall is not final, their blindness is "in part", and it…
Read article →Article · RaptureThe Rapture: A Cumulative Biblical Case
Why the final seven is unfinished, future, and centred upon Israel and Jerusalem
…and Israel experiences partial hardening "until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" (Romans 11:25). This present period is not evidence that God has abandoned Israel. Jewish people continue to be saved through faith in Christ, and the gospel goes to all nations. It means tha…
Read article →Article · Israel and the ChurchIsrael and the Church
A sign of Israel's renewal, not Israel's disappearance
…o then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." —Romans 11:5 The earliest Church was born from that believing remnant. Jesus, the apostles, the women who followed Him, the believers gathered before Pentecost, and the thousands added in Jer…
Read article →