Ely wrote:
The true Israel is believing Jews and grafted in Gentiles, all supported by the same root. As such, the Gentiles didn't replace the Jews, they joined the believing Jews to become the people of God.
This is where we depart form one another. I'm yet to be convinced that Gentiles become Israelites through faith in God. I never see Gentiles referred to as Jews Israelites in the NT. In
Galatians 6:16 (Israel of God),
Romans 2:27-29 (inward Jews) and
Philippians 3:3 (the circumcision "who worship God in the spirit") Paul is referring to
physical Jews who are believers in Jesus.
I'm still looking into
Galatians 3, but my present thoughts are that when Gentiles are called Abraham's 'seed' (and when Abraham is called our 'father' in
Romans 4) this is showing that we are partakers of the promise given in Genesis that Abraham would be the father of many nations and that many nations would be blessed in him. I don't see the need to understand this to mean that Gentiles are 'spiritual Jews.' But like I said, give me some time to consider this por favor.
Ely
Can I ask, what is the definition of a Jew?
Also, I'm wondering how you can say that Phil 3:3 isn't directed at Christians when Paul says "we" are the true circumcision.
He goes on to say (in Phil 3) that although he is of Jewish descent he counts is all as "loss" to be found in Christ. In other words, the greater is to be "in Christ", the "rubbish" Paul is referring to is his heritage as a Jew.
I would like a good commentary on Ephesians 1-3 as pertaining to the Church being Jew and Gentile.
It seems as if Paul is going through great pains to explain that the Gentiles who:
"being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." who once were far off have been brought near.
Gentiles have been brought near to what?
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.
What does Paul mean, has made both one? If Gentiles were far off from Israel, and have now not only been brought near but "made one", what on earth else can that mean that the obvious?
having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace
That "one new man" is the body of Christ, the Church. Of whom Jesus is the head (Eph 1:22-23)
When a Jew becomes a Christian, he's not considered a "super Jew" because he's saved (a apposed to being "just" a Christian). Remember what Paul thought about his heritage, compared to Christ.
Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God
Now what did Paul say the Gentiles were not citizens of? Israel
being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers
But not anymore, Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners but "fellow citizens" with the saints and
members of the household of God.
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
That's a picture of the Church, aka true Israel. Christ is the King of the Jews, the King of Israel.
Revelation 21 says the bride of Christ is the heavenly Jerusalem. As does Paul in Galatians 4.
I don't see a seperation of Jew and Gentile in the Church, I see unity.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)
