The Church Is Israel Now

bereansdesk.blogspot.com ^ | Friday, June 1, 2012 | Charles D. Provan

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Church Is Israel Now

by Charles D. Provan

During this century, Christians have been told over and over that “God has an unconditional love for Old Testament Israel,” by which is meant that God’s love is directed toward persons racially descended from Abraham, regardless of faith or obedience. Membership in Israel, therefore, is viewed as a matter of race, not faith.

The Church Is Israel Now demonstrates that the Bible totally repudiates this racialist viewpoint. Being a member of Israel in the Old Testament was dependent upon faith and obedience to God. When the Israelites obeyed God, God loved them. But when the Israelites turned from Him, He hated them, stripping them of their Israelite status. After centuries of Israelite rebellion against God, culminating in their rejection of Jesus the Messiah, the titles, attributes and blessings of Israel were transferred to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to no one else, regardless of Abrahamic descent. The Church is Israel now.

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the Jewish people: "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it" (Matt. 21:43).

Jesus said to His disciples: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

OLD TESTAMENT TITLES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ISRAEL WHICH ARE, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, REFERRED TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

THE BELOVED OF GOD
A) Israel Is Beloved Of God:
     - Ex. 15:13, Deut. 33:3, Ezra 3:11
B) Disobedient Israel Is Not Beloved Of God:
     - Lev. 3:16, Jer. 12:8, Jer. 16:5, Hos. 9:15
C) Christians Are Beloved Of God:
     - Rom. 9:25, Eph. 5:1, Col. 3:12, 1 John 3:1

THE CHILDREN OF GOD
A) Israel Are The Children Of God:
     - Ex. 4:22, Deut. 14:1, Isa. 1:2,4, Isa. 1:2,4, Isa. 63:8, Hos. 11:1
B) Disobedient Israel Are Not The Children Of God:
     - Deut. 32:5, John 8:39, 42, 44
C) Christians Are The Children Of God:
     - John 1:12, John 11:52, Rom. 8:14,16, 2 Cor. 6:18, Gal. 3:26, Gal. 4:5,6,7, Phil. 2:15, 1 John 3:1

THE FIELD OF GOD
A) Israel Is The Field Of God:
     - Jer. 12:10
B) Christians Are The Field Of God:
     - 1 Cor. 3:9

THE FLOCK OF GOD AND OF THE MESSIAH
A) Israel Is The Flock Of God And Of The Messiah:
     - Psa. 78:52, Psa. 80:1, Isa. 40:11, Jer. 23:1,2,3, Jer. 31:10, Eze. 34:12,15,16, Mic. 5:4, Zec. 10:3
B) Christians Are The Flock Of God And Of The Messiah:
     - John 10:14,16, Heb. 13:20, 1 Pet. 2:25, 1 Pet. 5:2,3

THE HOUSE OF GOD
A) Israel Is The House Of God:
     - Num. 12:7
B) Christians Are The House Of God:
     - 1 Tim. 3:15, Heb. 3:2,5,6, Heb. 10:21, 1 Pet. 4:17

THE KINGDOM OF GOD
A) Israel Is The Kingdom Of God:
     - Ex. 19:6, 1 Chr. 17:14, 1 Chr. 28:5
B) Disobedient Israel Is Not The Kingdom Of God:
     - Matt. 8:11,12, Matt. 21:43
C) Christians Are The Kingdom Of God:
     - Rom. 14:17, 1 Cor. 4:20, Col. 1:13, Col. 4:11, Rev. 1:6

THE PEOPLE OF GOD
A) The Israelites Are The People Of God:
     - Ex. 6:7, Deut. 27:9, 2 Sam. 7:23, Jer. 11:4
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The People Of God:
     - Hos. 1:9, Jer. 5:10
C) The Christians Are The People Of God:
     - Rom. 9:25, 2 Cor. 6:16, Eph. 4:12, Eph. 5:3, 2 Th. 1:10, Tit. 2:14

THE PRIESTS OF GOD
A) The Israelites Are The Priests Of God:
     - Ex. 19:6
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Priests Of God:
     - 1 Sam. 2:28,30, Lam. 4:13,16, Eze. 44:10,13, Hos. 4:6, Mal. 2:2,4,8,9
C) The Christians Are The Priests Of God:
     - 1 Pet. 2:5,9, Rev. 1:6, Rev. 5:10

THE VINEYARD OF GOD
A) Israel Is The Vineyard Of God:
     - Isa. 5:3,4,5,7, Jer. 12:10
B) Christians Are The Vineyard Of God:
     - Luke 20:16

THE WIFE (OR BRIDE) OF GOD
A) Israel Is The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:
     - Isa. 54:5,6, Jer. 2:2, Eze. 16:32, Hos. 1:2
B) Disobedient Israelites Is Not The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:
     - Jer. 3:8, Hos. 2:2
C) The Christians Are The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:
     - 2 Cor. 11:2, Eph. 5:31,32

THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM
A) The Israelites Are The Children Of Abraham:
     - 2 Chr. 20:7, Psa. 105:6, Isa. 41:8
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Children Of Abraham:
     - John 8:39, Rom. 9:6,7, Gal. 4:25,30
C) The Christians Are The Children Of Abraham:
     - Rom. 4:11,16, Gal. 3:7,29, Gal. 4:23,28,31

THE CHOSEN PEOPLE
A) The Israelites Are The Chosen People:
     - Deut. 7:7, Deut. 10:15, Deut. 14:2, Isa. 43:20,21
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Chosen People:
     - Deut. 31:17, 2 Ki. 17:20, 2 Chr. 25:7, Psa. 78:59, Jer. 6:30, Jer. 7:29, Jer. 14:10
C) The Christians Are The Chosen People:
     - Col. 3:12, 1 Pet. 2:9

THE CIRCUMCISED
A) The Israelites Are The Circumcised:
     - Gen. 17:10, Jud. 15:18
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Circumcised:
     - Jer. 9:25,26, Rom. 2:25,28, Phil. 3:2
C) The Christians Are The Circumcised:
     - Rom. 2:29, Phil. 3:3, Col. 2:11

ISRAEL
A) Israel is Israel
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not Israelites:
     - Num. 15:30,31, Deut. 18:19, Acts 3:23, Rom. 9:6
C) The Christians Are Israel:
     - John 11:50,51,52, 1 Cor. 10:1, Gal. 6:15,16, Eph. 2:12,19

JERUSALEM
A) Jerusalem Is the City And Mother Of Israel:
     - Psa. 149:2, Isa. 12:6, Isa. 49:18,20,22, Isa. 51:18, Lam. 4:2
B) Jerusalem Is The City And Mother Of Christians:
     - Gal. 4:26, Heb. 12:22

THE JEWS
A) Israelites Are Jews
     - Ezr. 5:1, Jer. 34:8,9, Zech. 8:22,23
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not Jews:
     - Rom. 2:28, Rev. 2:9, Rev. 3:9
C) The Christians Are Jews:
     - Rom. 2:29

THE NEW COVENANT
A) The New Covenant Is With Israel:
     - Jer. 31:31,33
B) The New Covenant Is With The Christians:
     - Luke 22:20, 1 Cor. 11:25, 2 Cor. 3:6, Heb. 8:6,8,10

AN OLIVE TREE
A) Israel Is An Olive Tree:
     - Jer. 11:16, Hos. 14:6
B) The Christians Are An Olive Tree:
     - Rom. 11:24

OLD TESTAMENT VERSES REFERRING TO ISRAEL WHICH ARE QUOTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT AS REFERRING TO THE CHRISTIANS

QUOTE #1
     - Lev. 26:11,12, Eze. 37:27, 2 Cor. 6:16

QUOTE #2
     - Deut. 30:12-14, Rom. 10:6-8

QUOTE #3
     - Deut. 31:6, Heb. 13:5

QUOTE #4
     - Deut. 32:36, Psa. 135:14, Heb. 10:30

QUOTE #5
     - Psa. 22:22, Heb. 2:12

QUOTE #6
     - Psa. 44:22, Rom. 8:36

QUOTE #7
     - Psa. 95:7-11, Heb. 3:7-11

QUOTE #8
     - Psa. 130:8, Tit. 2:14

QUOTE #9
     - Isa. 28:16, Rom. 10:11, Eph. 2:20, 1 Pet. 2:6

QUOTE #10
     - Isa. 49:8, 2 Cor. 6:2

QUOTE #11
     - Isa. 52:7, Rom. 10:15

QUOTE #12
     - Isa. 54:1, Gal. 4:27

QUOTE #13
     - Jer. 31:31-34, Heb. 8:8-12

QUOTE #14
     - Hos. 1:10; 2:23, Rom. 9:25-26, 1 Pet. 2:10

QUOTE #15
     - Hos. 13:14, 1 Cor. 15:55

QUOTE #16
     - Joel. 2:32, Rom. 10:13

---

ADDENDUM BY TIMOTHY:
Read Romans 11:17-24 carefully and pay attention to what Paul is saying. Compare what he is saying here to what he writes in Romans 2:25-29 and Romans 9:6-8. Who are the branches that were broken off? Unbelieving Israel. Why were they broken off? Because of their unbelief. Who are the branches that remain? Believing Israel. Why do they remain? Because of their faith. Who are the wild branches? Gentiles. Into what are the wild branches grafted? Believing Israel. Why were they grafted in? Because of their faith. Into what will the natural branches that were broken off be grafted? Believing Israel.

According to Romans 2:25-29, the branches that were broken off are not true Jews: “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly.” Therefore, logically, the remaining branches are true Jews: “He is a Jew who is one inwardly.” In Philippians 3:3, Paul said that we—Christians—are the real circumcision. Why? Because we have been circumcised of the heart, just as Moses commanded them to be (Deut. 10:16). According to Romans 9:6-8, the branches that were broken off do not belong to Israel: “They are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.” Therefore, logically, the remaining branches belong to Israel. In Galatians 6:16, Paul called the church “the Israel of God.”

Although Dispensationalists want to deny this, Paul’s words are as clear as day. Paul has just divided national Israel in two—believing Israel and unbelieving Israel, of which he says they are not true Jews nor do they belong to Israel. He states in Romans 11:5 that at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. He states in verse 7 that the elect of Israel obtained what Israel sought but the rest were hardened. He says that if the broken off branches do not continue in their unbelief they will be grafted back in. Into what? Into believing Israel, which will make them true Jews belonging to true Israel.

Galatians 4:28 says, “And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.” All Christians—Jew or Gentile—are children of the promise. Romans 4:13-16 says, “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” All those who believe—Jew or Gentile—are Abraham’s offspring.

John the Baptist said, “Do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3:9-10). Likewise, John records, “They answered and said to Him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father.’ They said to Him, ‘We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. … You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.’” (John 8:39-42, 44).

These words attest to what Paul was saying in Romans chapters 2 and 9. Just because you are an ethnical Jew does not make you a true Jew, Paul said in chapter 2. Just because you are physically descended from Abraham and Israel does not make you part of true Israel, Paul said in chapter 9.

In Romans 4:13, 9:8, and Galatians 4:28, Paul speaks in regard to the “promise.” What promise? Well, Galatians 3:16, 27-29 say: “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ. … For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” This passage teaches us:

1. Abrahamic promises were made to Abraham and his seed (v.16).
2. His seed is Christ (v.16).
3. And his seed is all who belong to Christ (v.29).
4. Therefore, the promises belong to Christ and to all who are His (v.29). 

Ergo, this is not "Replacement Theology," it is "Expansion Theology." The Old Testament prophesied of the Gentile inclusion in several passages, predicting God’s work of taking from among the Gentiles a people for Himself. One such passage is Amos 9:11-12. So if the Old Testament prophesied about the Gentile inclusion, and Romans 11:17-24 describes that inclusion, then we must logically conclude that the true Israel is the true church and the true church is the true Israel. For God has only one people that make up one body who were baptized by one Spirit. The church does not replace Israel; the church has always been true Israel, and true Israel has always been the church. “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek” (Rom. 10:12). There is no longer Jew or Gentile because God has broken down the dividing wall and made of the two one new person (Eph. 2:11-19). There are not two plans of redemption and two ways of receiving salvation. You are either in Christ Jesus or you are not. There is salvation by no other means and in no other name. Anything beyond this is heresy!

[Alex Murphy]

The Church Is Israel Now demonstrates that the Bible totally repudiates this racialist viewpoint. Being a member of Israel in the Old Testament was dependent upon faith and obedience to God. When the Israelites obeyed God, God loved them. But when the Israelites turned from Him, He hated them, stripping them of their Israelite status. After centuries of Israelite rebellion against God, culminating in their rejection of Jesus the Messiah, the titles, attributes and blessings of Israel were transferred to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to no one else, regardless of Abrahamic descent. The Church is Israel now.

PFL

[smokingfrog]

What is replacement theology?

[ClearCase_guy]

I’m no theologian, but I’m calling BS on this. God does not hate the Israelites. He does not back out of covenants. He does not make mistakes and take mulligans.

[ConservativeMind]

The New Testament is clear. Jews can be saved, but must come to Jesus.

God wants all to follow Him, but all won’t.

[dadfly]

bookmark

[daniel1212]

The church, the body of Christ made of all born again believers, which even some in Rome are, is indeed the Israel of God.

But "Israel after the flesh" is still beloved for the father''s sake, as Rm. 11 teaches, and history awaits both great tribulation and the removal of the judicial curse of blindness from them (what is left) when the full number of the Gentiles enter in.

See ISRAEL: CHOSEN OR FORGOTTEN?.

[faithhopecharity]

You cite Romans 11 wrong. The Church is not Israel. The Church is grafted onto Israel. When you kill the roots and the main trunk ( disenfranchise Israel) you kill the shoot which is grafted Into it (the church ).
(And Jesus Christ and the NT make very little sense outside their Judaistic reality and context. Very little indeed. What you wind up with almost necessary is a false Christianity, a paganism masquerading as truth. ). Respectfully, please RE-examine what you’ve done because it makes a mockery of real Christian faith (and Marcion was rejected as a heretic centuries ago). Thank you

[Alex Murphy]

You cite Romans 11 wrong.

You might consider posting that to the OP of the thread.

[faithhopecharity]

Thanks very much. I’m not sure I quite understand however. OP? Did I make a boobo0? Sorry sorry. At any event, could you kindly do whatever it is, fix it for me? I can’t post it again from the little portable machine I’m using at the moment. This device can barely keep three words together without self- erasing or shifting into Swahili. Thanks very much!

[Borges]

You’ll love this.

[fishtank]

Completely false.

Do not pass “Go”. Do not collect $200.

Read all of Romans 9,10 and 11 and count all the distinctions Paul lists between Israel and the Church.

[faithhopecharity]

You cite Romans 11 wrong. The Church is not Israel. The Church is grafted onto Israel. When you kill the roots and the main trunk ( disenfranchise Israel) you kill the shoot which is grafted Into it (the church ).
(And Jesus Christ and the NT make very little sense outside their Judaistic reality and context. Very little indeed. What you wind up with almost necessary is a false Christianity, a paganism masquerading as truth. ). Respectfully, please RE-examine what you’ve done because it makes a mockery of real Christian faith (and Marcion was rejected as a heretic centuries ago). Thank you

[faithhopecharity]

OK Alex, I figured it out!
and have posted it to him as you suggested

(I meant to do that originally, sorry for the booboo)
and
THANK YOU so very much for calling the problem to my attention!

Best regards,

[the_daug]

Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

[UnwashedPeasant]

This is a false witness. It belongs beside “The Da Vinci Code.”

[redleghunter]

The article you posted addresses, I assume, your view of the church as Israel. If you could address the following questions I would appreciate it:

-Do you see any future literal fulfillment of prophecies?

-Do you see a future tribulation period culminating in the Second Coming of Christ?

-or should all yet to be fulfilled prophecy be viewed as allegory and should be spiritualized?

Thanks

[Sheapdog]

Replacement Theology is a major issue for the church these days. I’ve been dealing with it my whole life in every Christian community I’ve been a part of. I’m not saying it is a salvation issue but it can lead to that possibly and is divisive enough to split denominations and communities and friendships. Many Christians are going to find themselves fighting God on this issue.

A recent book that addresses this issue well for both scholars and lay people is Barry Horner’s 2007

Future Israel: Why Christian Anti-Judaism Must Be Challenged (New American Commentary Studies in Bible and Theology)

http://www.amazon.com/Future-Israel-Anti-Judaism-Challenged-Commentary/dp/0805446273

[Brian Kopp DPM]

I didn't cite anything wrong. I just posted an article by a non-Catholic about the Church being the New Israel.

My views as a Catholic on the subject are very similar to how it is explained in this blog post: Why I Don't Believe In The Rapture

When I read that blog post several weeks ago I didn't realize that Charles Provan had written something similar. Provan is the author of this article as well as a wonderful little book titled "The Bible and Birth Control." I spoke with Provan years ago when I ordered a case of his books on the bible and birth control and was saddened to learn today that he passed away at the age of 52 several years ago. I thought this article about his book on The Church and Israel was worth posting as it clarifies some common errors among modern Fundamentalists and Evangelicals.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

From http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supersessionism

Supersessionism, fulfillment theology, and replacement theology are terms long used for the biblical interpretation that the Christian Church supersedes or replaces Israel in God’s plan, and that the New Covenant nullifies the biblical promises made to Israel, including the Abrahamic Covenant, the Land Covenant, and the Davidic Covenant. However, it has no bearing on the Mosaic Covenant (or Mosaic Law), which most Christian groups agree was always intended to be superseded by the New Covenant. The terms do not appear in the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church; however, the view they cover is considered part of most traditional Christian views of the Old Covenant, viewing the Christian Church as the inheritor of the biblical promises made with the children of Israel.[1][2] This view contrasts with the minority views of dual-covenant theology on the one side and abrogation of Old Covenant laws on the other.