The Church is it Israel?

[bibleberean]

I believe the church is a new entity that came into existence after Pentecost.

04 Church and Kingdom
Rightly Dividing the Word, by Clarence Larkin, 1920

Chapter 4: Church and Kingdom

The Church is not only a "called out Body," it is the "BODY OF CHRIST."

In Eph 1:22-23, we read-- "And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him (Jesus) to be the `Head' over- all things to the Church which is His BODY." The context shows (Eph 1:20) that this "Headship" was not possible until Jesus had been raised from the dead, and seated at the right hand of the Father. The Church then could not have been in existence before there was a "Head," for God does not make headless things.

The Church then is the "Body" of which Christ is the "Head."

In 1Co 12:12-13 we are told how this "Body" is formed: "For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of that one body being many, are one body; so also is Christ.

For by one `Spirit' (Holy Spirit) are we all baptized into `ONE BODY,' whether we be Jew or Gentile, whether we be bond or free." From this we see that it is the "Baptism of the Spirit" that incorporates us into the "Body of Christ." That is, there could be no Church until the "Day of Pentecost."

The fact that the Church is a "Body" made up of "living members" shows that it is not an "Organization" but an "ORGANISM." As the human body is for the manifestation of a Personality, so the Church, the "Body of Christ," is for the purpose of manifesting "His Personality." The only way then the world can see Christ is through His Body the Church...

...While Israel is a "called out body" it is a "National Body," composed exclusively of the descendants of Abraham, but the Church is not a "National Body," for it is not composed of the people of any one nation, but of individuals from every kindred, people, tribe and nation.

The church is not Israel because Israel is under a curse.

All Israel will be saved...

Paul does not want us ignorant of the fact.

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Romans 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

The Jews nationally are under a curse and as far as the gospel is concerned they are enemies of the church.

Who is Paul talking to?

He is talking to the brethren that belive the gospel.He is talking to the Christian church composed of Jews and Gentiles. He wants to remind us that although Israel is now set aside she will be blessed because...

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance."Romans 11:29

 

[wavy]

I believe the church is a new entity that came into existence after Pentecost.

Completely untrue. Acts 2 is a fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:31 and Joel 2:27-29, with a new covenant established and the promise of the Spirit to Israel (with Israel present):

Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith יהוה, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

No "church".

Joel 2:27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am יהוה your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joel 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.

No church present or established.

Acts 2:22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; יהושׁע ha Notsri, a man approved of יהוה among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which יהוה did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:

Those God-fearers from the nations who were present (being Torah keepers and thus at this feast) were called "men of Israel" collectively with the Jews present. Judah + Ephraim. Both houses according to Jeremiah 31:31.

No "church".

In Eph 1:22-23, we read-- "And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him (Jesus) to be the `Head' over- all things to the Church which is His BODY." The context shows (Eph 1:20) that this "Headship" was not possible until Jesus had been raised from the dead, and seated at the right hand of the Father. The Church then could not have been in existence before there was a "Head," for God does not make headless things.

I think the "context" argument here is a weak one. However, I can play along with this guy. This is still nothing but New Covenant Israel who is known as the congregation (qahal) all throughout the Tanach and into the NT.

In 1Co 12:12-13 we are told how this "Body" is formed: "For as the body is one, and hath many members; and all the members of that one body being many, are one body; so also is Christ.

For by one `Spirit' (Holy Spirit) are we all baptized into `ONE BODY,' whether we be Jew or Gentile, whether we be bond or free."

From this we see that it is the "Baptism of the Spirit" that incorporates us into the "Body of Christ." That is, there could be no Church until the "Day of Pentecost."

Complete falsehood, because Israel in the old covenant was baptized also (spiritually in Christ, just as we are) into one body by the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 shows us this.

Also, Paul identifies in 1 Corinthians 10:1 the men in the wilderness as "our fathers". This proves it is not "them" and all of a sudden now it's "us"; a supposed separate entity called the "church". It's only "them" and "us" in the context that they lived then and we live now, in the last days (1 Corinthians 10:11).

...While Israel is a "called out body" it is a "National Body," composed exclusively of the descendants of Abraham, but the Church is not a "National Body," for it is not composed of the people of any one nation, but of individuals from every kindred, people, tribe and nation.

Untrue. All of this is untrue. The "congregation" (not "kirch") is a national body as well as a spiritual one.

Genesis 35:11 And Elohim said unto him, I am El Shaddai: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

Jacob, named Israel in the previous verse, is said to have seed (physical seed) that is a congregation of nations (word for "company" is qahal, the Hebrew equivalent for ekklesia). This is Messiah's congregation. His house of prayer for all peoples/nations as per Isaiah 56:7.

This is the same scene we see at the end of Revelation: the kings and multitudes of nations bringing their glory and honor into the new Yahrushalayhim as all Israel collectively, their heritage and place being realized. These are they who "overcome" (and that's what Israel means: to overcome/prevail with El/God).

Also, take into account that if you are Messiah's you are Abraham's seed (Galatians 3:29), since this guy wants to make an unscriptural distinction between spiritual and physical seed of Abraham.

The church is not Israel because Israel is under a curse.

This is not true and is not found in scripture...

All Israel will be saved...

Paul does not want us ignorant of the fact.

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

As far as the "fullness of the gentiles", please see Genesis 48:19 (which Paul is referring to). That is a whole other study. This is a mystery.

Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

The Jews nationally are under a curse and as far as the gospel is concerned they are enemies of the church.

This is untrue and Paul only speaks of Jewish Israel, not the melo ha-goyim (fullness of the gentiles/nations) of Israelites that are filling the nations as the sand of the sea that cannot be numbered for a multitude (Genesis 32:12, and is the same inumerable multitude in Revelation 7:9).

Notice how Jewish Israel is still considered the "elect". Notice also that he mentions the fathers, not "their" fathers. Paul also identifies the Roman congregation as the physical seed of Israel in Romans 9:24-26 as he quotes the 1st chapter of Hosea. No such thing as Israel vs. something called the "church".

Who is Paul talking to?

He is talking to the brethren that belive the gospel.He is talking to the Christian church composed of Jews and Gentiles. He wants to remind us that although Israel is now set aside she will be blessed because...

No, he is not speaking of the "Christian church", he's speaking of the remnant (composed of Jewish Israel and those from the nations who are primarily Ephraim Israel: two house prophetic fulfillment).

Israel has not been set aside. Not all Israel as a whole and not Jewish Israel specifically.

Jeremiah 31:35-37 and Jeremiah 33:24-26 need to be read.

 

[wavy]

Oh yeah! I almost forgot! These are very strong points:

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

The martyr Stephen, full of the Spirit, indentifies the children of Israel as the ekklesia.

Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living Elohim, the heavenly Yahrushalayhim, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to יהוה the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Proof that Israel is not merely "national" while something called the "church" is spiritual. Redeemed Israel is the ekklesia, the very body of ha Moshiach. The "congregation of the firstborn". Israel is the firstborn:

Exodus 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the יהוה, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Exodus 4:23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn

Partakers of a mere "national" and earthly calling or a heavenly calling?

Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Sholiach and Kohen HaGadol of our profession, ha Moshiach יהושׁע

Also, see why "church vs. Israel" theology is considered an unlawful abomination with some comments I made to other people:

But that's the whole point of being blessed with Abraham. Because through Abraham, Isaac was born. Through Isaac was born Jacob, and Jacob was the last man to receive Yahweh's covenant blessings of multiplicity, collectively called Israel.

So indeed, it is Yahweh we join ourselves to. And there is only one people Yahweh has chosen to place his Name on, and that is his people Israel.

His Moshiach is King of Israel. His Moshiach is even called Israel in a few places (Isaiah 49:3, for example).

Therefore, being mixed with Abraham through whom Messiah and the blessed nation Israel came, we are also considered part of this family.

There can't be anything else. Not unless we want to violate scripture. Isaiah 56:3 makes it clear that YHWH does not want divisions within his people.

The law of mixture shows us that you can't sow a field with different seeds, or mate two types of cattle together, or wear a mingling of different fabrics in one garment (see Leviticus 19:19).

All must be of the same substance and all are considered the same substance in the eyes of Yahweh through Messiah. We see in Matthew 13:24-30, that the world is a field. The children of the kingdom are of one seed (wheat). It is the enemy which secretly plants seed of another kind (weeds/tares) in this field (which is why all separate entity and dispensationalist theology are lies and doctrines of satan).

Yahshua gathers the tares through his messengers and they are thrown into the fire.

He also divides the sheep and the goats.

All the kidushim (holy ones/saints) wear white robes, all of linen.

So, let's take heed to this calling.

 

[bibleberean]

03 Jew and Gentile
Rightly Dividing the Word, by Clarence Larkin, 1920

The Scriptures treat of "Three Classes" of Persons. The "Jews," the "Gentiles," and the "Church of God." The Jews and the Gentiles are distinct from each other, while the Church of God is composed of both Jews and Gentiles, but not as Jews or Gentiles but as a "New Body." All the human race that are not Jews are Gentiles. The Jews date back to Abraham, and became a distinct and separate nation at the Exodus. The most of the Old Testament is taken up with their history. They are an earthly people, while the "Church of God" are a heavenly people. Like the Jews the "Church of God" had a beginning. It began at the "Day of Pentecost" and will end chronologically at the Second Coming of Christ. At the present time the Jews are, as a nation, "sidetracked." When the "Church of God" is taken out of the world, the Jews will again be restored to their own land and become the "Head of the Nations." Nationally the Gentiles now govern the earth. This is what the Scriptures speak of as the "Times of the Gentiles." Lu 21:24.

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

Ephesians 3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

In the previous chapter Paul calls the church a new body Israel is not the Christian church. It was a called out body in the wilderness but it is not the present Christian church.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

The body of Christ is a "New Man".

Not under the law.

The letter to the Hebrews is just that a letter tailored for the Hebrews not Gentiles. Just as Ephesians is written primarily for Gentiles.

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,


2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Rightly dividing the word.

Don't mix the things of that apply to the church with the law of Moses.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Acts 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe...

Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

The letter to the Gentiles from the apostles concerning them that would put them under the law.


Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Those who try to put the Christian ekklesia under the laws of the ekklesia of Israel are in direct disobedience to the word of God and are to be rejected as hereticks.

ekklesia ek-klay-see'-ah

from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.

 

[wavy]

03 Jew and Gentile
Rightly Dividing the Word, by Clarence Larkin, 1920

(1) They are an earthly people, while the "Church of God" are a heavenly people.

(2) Like the Jews the "Church of God" had a beginning. It began at the "Day of Pentecost" and will end chronologically at the Second Coming of Christ.

Again, this nonsense has been refuted.

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

"Nations". An apostle to the nations, not to pagans in the nations. He was not specifically looking for non-Israelites.

See Acts 9:15 and also Acts 28:20.

Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

G3622

οἰκονομία

oikonomia

oy-kon-om-ee'-ah

From G3623; administration (of a household or estate); specifically a (religious) “economyâ€Â: - dispensation, stewardship.

"Dispensation" is not a correct term.

Ephesians 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Called a "mystery" in Ephesians 3:5. The same one from Romans 11:25 which then behooves us to read Genesis 48:19 where the term "fullness of the nations" is taken from.

The seed of Ephraim filling the nations and becoming one with the Jews, thus two-house prophetic fulfillment. Explicitly detailed in Ezekiel 37:16-28.

In the previous chapter Paul calls the church a new body Israel is not the Christian church.

Israel is not the "Christian church" because the latter does not scripturally exists! There is first covenant Israel and there is new covenant Israel.

It was a called out body in the wilderness but it is not the present Christian church.

Of course. That's because one exists and the other doesn't. Why don't people understand that the "body" is new covenant Israel as per Jeremiah 31:31? Where is the "church"??? Why is it absent from any promises/prophecies of scripture?

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Yes, the akrobustia. Literally "tossed away foreskins". Not aperitome, the negation of peritome (circumcised). But akrobustia: those who had tossed all their heritage and previous circumcision away(spiritually). The seed of Ephraim. It is usually translated "uncirumcision" and defined by implication (not the literal definition of the word) as "uncircumcised (that is, gentile, figuratively unregenerate)" in the Strong's.

It is (by implication, not semantic meaning) defined this way because translators did not know why akrobustia was used instead of aperitome, which means "never/not/without circumcision", the opposite of peritome. Understanding who the akrobustia are and the nature of Paul's true mission gives meaning as to why this term is used instead of aperitome.

Anyway, Ephraim was being vexed by the Jews, who were denying them as fellow-heirs to make them second class citizens. Now, today, Ephraim in his idolatry persecutes Judah. Calling him "earthly" and being an afterthought of יהוה's plan after he deals with this fictional "church"! Abominable ideas like flights to heaven while Judah has to stay and endure the tribulation! Paul refutes this type of thinking in Romans 11.

Isaiah refutes this thinking also:

Isaiah 11:13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.

Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

"Far off" from what? From Israel and the covenants of promise and from יהוה. Now they have been "made near". Made near to what? To the commonwealth of Israel and the covenants of promise (which are falsely called "bondage") and to יהוה.

"Far off" is a metaphor for Ephraim Israel found in Daniel 9:7 (and so is the metaphor "near") as well as Isaiah 33:13, Isaiah 57:19, Ezekiel 6:12, Ezekiel 11:16, Joel 2:20, Micah 4:7, and Zechariah 6:15.

Those "near" are Judah. Those "far off" are Ephraim Israel, swallowed up in the nations. We seem to not be able to keep scripture consistent. How do we go from Messiah's mission being to unite Ephraim and Judah, to saying Judah is really "all Israel" (both houses) and that something new called the "church of gentiles", not mentioned in the prophets, is now the true priority and what Messiah came to build (although he denies this in Matthew 15:24).

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

The body of Christ is a "New Man".

Indeed! Ephraim + Judah = one new man (Israel, since Israelites are "men", Ezekiel 34:31). No more division (Hosea 1:11, Messiah being the very Head of this body).

"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, 'Know יהוה' for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest of them, says יהוה, for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sins no more".

Grace to both houses, as opposed to being "under law" (without grace and still in sin).

The letter to the Hebrews is just that a letter tailored for the Hebrews not Gentiles. Just as Ephesians is written primarily for Gentiles.

Ephesians 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Ok, so now we want to distinguish the Hebrews from "gentiles" (properly Ephraim Israel). Why?

Both are partakers of a heavenly calling as one body of new covenant Israel. Also, we know the Ephesians are true Israelites who form and are in the nations (not "gentiles" which is an improper term for the word "nations"):

Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
Ephesians 6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

He quoted Exodus 20:12 and Deuteronomy 5:16, indentifying them as Israelites who will one day, after exile and sojourning, return to the land in dwell safely in the earth when the kingdom of heaven comes with the New Yahrushalayhim.

Look up the word for "earth". It should be rendered "land" here, as it is the same word used in the Greek Septuagint.

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Rightly dividing the word.

Don't mix the things of that apply to the church with the law of Moses.

And now we see the origins and the beginnings of separate entity and dispensationalist theology: lawless individuals who are not subject to the Torah of יהוה (Romans 8:7), hence they must come up with excuses to be exluded from their brother Judah.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Notice the context in Acts 15:1. Notice the terms "needful" and "command". This is added "works of law". They were not going to put themselves over their brother Ephraim or his equal believing companions (true non-Israelites). This is a burden, as is stated by Peter in Acts 15:10. The Pharisees, the strictest sect, was not going to give them and teach them true Torah as equals, as the new believers were learning in the synagogues on the sabbath (Acts 15:21). They were trying to enslave them to themselves.

Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe...

Acts 15:10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

The letter to the Gentiles from the apostles concerning them that would put them under the law.

Indeed, not "under law". I noticed that you also skipped a few verses. I don't want to accuse you falsely so I won't say that it is certain, but it seems you skipped the verses because the inevitable is in them:

Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

The "certain" men of Acts 15:1 were denying them their salvation and saying it was impossible for them to be considered equals in right standing and justification unless they had first listened to them and were put under immediate subjection of all Torah at once ( with the added burdens of the time which were just as authorative instead of learning it as per Acts 15:21).

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Those who try to put the Christian ekklesia under the laws of the ekklesia of Israel are in direct disobedience to the word of God and are to be rejected as hereticks.

These scriptures are always taken out of context. No, Judah should not give commandments to his brother or his companions, or lord over them. This was for the purposes of fellowship. You cannot eat with fornicators (1 Corinthians 5:9-11) and cannot take have company with idolatry (2 Corinthians 6:16) and cannot eat blood, which is abstaining from uncleaness of flesh (2 Corinthians 7:1). Things must be slit by the throat, not strangled so as retain blood. These are shochet (ritual slaugheter of kosher meat) principles.

My friend Georges has a thing on the Noahide laws that's interesting concerning this.

Also notice that they were keeping the sabbath according to Acts 15:21 and did not choose their own sabbath days. You, however, skipped over this verse also.

ekklesia ek-klay-see'-ah

from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):--assembly, church.

I don't see how this is relevant. The only true, grammatical definitions are "calling out" and "meeting/assembly". All the other stuff is added opinion, though partly true. Divisions of "Jewish synagogues" and "Christian communities" are manmade as it pertains to this definition from whatever concordance/lexicon/dictionary this came from.

 

[bibleberean]

Where is the "church"??? Why is it absent from any promises/prophecies of scripture?

Ephesians 3:1-5 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

The Old Testament prophets did not see the church.It was a mystery.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

The men who founded the church the apostles and prophets gave no such commandment to the Gentiles to keep the law of Moses. Which includes the Sabbath.

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

We have the same problem now. We have people who try to subvert our souls by telling us we have to be circumsised and keep the law of Moses when the apostles and prophets of the NT gave no such commandment.

Now, there is a damnable lie.

The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone.

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

The nation of Israel has rejected the Messiah and is under a curse until they say the words that Christ prophecied they would...

Matthew 23:37-39 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

The church still studies the law even though the body of Christ is not under it.

I read the OT every day. I don't sacrifice bulls and I don't go to Jerusalem every year to worship. I am not in that "dispensation".

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Paul is not saying that you cannot be circumsised. He is saying that if you want to lose your liberty and be under the law then Christ who is the end of the law will profit you nothing.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

 

[wavy]

Ephesians 3:1-5 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

The Old Testament prophets did not see the church.It was a mystery.

It's circular reasoning. "The mystery is the church, but the prophets don't mention the mystery, and even though I cannot find scriptural backing from scripture, I must say the mystery is the church even though I have no scripture to back it up!"

Read that scripture you just quoted again and see that the prophets did know about it ("sons of men" does not mean "all men") and also read Romans 16:25-26 to see where to find the mystery.

Now, from a different viewpoint, this "mystery" may not have been known directly to the prophets or consciously known to them, but they did testify of it as those scriptures state.

There is simply no basis and no foundation for a "church" being a separate entity. You must presuppose this.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

The men who founded the church the apostles and prophets gave no such commandment to the Gentiles to keep the law of Moses. Which includes the Sabbath.

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

We have the same problem now. We have people who try to subvert our souls by telling us we have to be circumsised and keep the law of Moses when the apostles and prophets of the NT gave no such commandment.

I am not commanding you anything. This topic isn't even about Torah keeping! YOU brought that subject up with Acts 15, and this is the whole basis from which this theology comes from. It has nothing to do with a mystery that is supported and outlined in the bible. It has to do with "we don't want to keep the Torah"!!!

But on a sidenote, Torah should be learned progressively (Acts 15:21) after the steps of Abraham in faith (Romans 4:12) for those new to the faith.

Again, you ignored my points on Acts 15. Repeating it to me does not refute my points!

The church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone.

Ephesians 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

New covenant Israel, not a separate entity called a "kirch".

The nation of Israel has rejected the Messiah and is under a curse until they say the words that Christ prophecied they would...

Matthew 23:37-39 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

The nation of Israel has not rejected Messiah. This is not what that scripture says and it does not say they are under a curse. This has to do with Judah helping Messiah gather all Israel together.

Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

Because of this, the Temple on Moriyah (and the house of Judah as a whole) was left desolate (the full blow in 70 A.D.). Because of this, the kingdom and brotherly unity and reconciliation and immediate healing would be further postponed.

The church still studies the law even though the body of Christ is not under it.

I read the OT every day. I don't sacrifice bulls and I don't go to Jerusalem every year to worship. I am not in that "dispensation".

The "kirch" does not exists and not the hearers and readers of Torah are justified, but the doers of Torah shall be justified (James 1:22, Romans 2:13).

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Paul is not saying that you cannot be circumsised. He is saying that if you want to lose your liberty and be under the law then Christ who is the end of the law will profit you nothing.

What? No, and I don't have the time to go over my interpretation of Galatians. Now we can truly see the roots of why this cheap theological myraid of lies exists: Romans 8:7.

Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

I cannot believe you quoted this...

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Same word: telos. I'm sure our God is not "ended". Messiah is the goal of Torah for righteousness. He said this in the direct context of the previous verse (speaking of Jewish Israel):

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

You cannot establish Torah as your own righteousness and reject Messiah because the Torah leads us to Messiah. That is why he is the GOAL of the Torah.

Romans 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.

Israel who followed after the Torah of righteousness (Judah) has not got the righteousnes they sought after. This is why Messiah is the goal.

 

[bibleberean]

Matthew 16:15-18 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I will build... Future...

Israel was a nation and a separate body from the church that was to be built.

The church is New...

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

We are not under the law of Moses. We are under grace.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Galatians 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Galatians 5:8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

We don't want to be under the Jewish law like those Jews who told the Gentiles that they had to keep the law.


We don't keep the law of Moses we are not under it...

 

[wavy]

Matthew 16:15-18 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I will build... Future...

NEW COVENANT ISRAEL. Also, the word "oikodomeo" for "build" has many meanings; among them "rebuild/repair/restore/strengthen" (such as in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 with the word "edify")

But even these definitions don't matter. He's speaking of new covenant Israel regardless.

You have ignored all the points I made and still insist on these presuppositions of distinction. You cannot know how many times this verse has been quoted to me. Please read a fair response I gave to the last person who used this as "proof" for the "church":

I'm well aware of that scripture. This speaks of new covenant Israel. The word for build also means to "strengthen/repair/restore".

Also, "church" is congregation. The ekklesia. The qahal. Israel was and remains Yahweh's one and only true congregation. All who are believers in Messiah are Israel.

Shem Tov Matthew (Hebrew version of Matthew, which is possibly and probably what it was written in) adds "as a house of prayer" after "church/congregation".

This shows us that Yahshua's house (Hebrews 3:6) of new covenant Israel is a fulfillment of Isaiah 56:7, where sabbath keepers and those who love the true Name of יהוה and guard his mitzvot (commandments), and DO NOT SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM ISRAEL (Isaiah 56:3) are that house of prayer Yahshua also spoke of in Matthew 21:13.

Israel was a nation and a separate body from the church that was to be built.

The church is New...

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

You can superimpose this all you want to, but it does not deny and does not refute or even address the many (scriptural) points I made above...

We are not under the law of Moses. We are under grace.

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.

Galatians 5:3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.

Galatians 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Galatians 5:8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.

We don't want to be under the Jewish law like those Jews who told the Gentiles that they had to keep the law.


We don't keep the law of Moses we are not under it...

Again, this was never the nature of the discussion, and again, this is the only reason this theology exists, and again, I direct you to Romans 8:7 (add John 7:19 to that too).

 

[tim-from-pa]

I think the whole key to the "church" v.s. "Israel" is summarized as thus:

The election of grace and the election of race.

Grace comes from Judah: "Salvation is of the Jews". In other words, salvation would come from the tribe of Judah, specifically the house of David thru Jesus Christ.

The tribe of Joseph, which is not Jewish by the way (Jews are from Judah), had the birthright: that is the election of race: many nations, possessing the gates of their enemies, powerful people spreading abroad as dust of the earth as descendants of Abraham. Within this group is the election of grace spreading light to the world.

The Jew on the other hand, is merely Israel "which follows the law" i.e., the PART of Israel (not all) that follow the law. The jew is only a small fraction of the total physical descendants blessed of Abraham.

The lost house of Israel can be traced as those people who later became the Parthian Empire, Saxons, Gauls, etc migrating over to Europe and ultimately here. That's why the USA is one of those nations that became so great. And again, within this nation are those who are "sons of the living God" spreading the light, but blind to their identity (c.f Isaiah 42:19)

That's why folks such as myself, maybe Wavy, and others pound and pound and pound this into all these "bible believers" and they still won't "get it". ISRAEL IS INDEED BLESSED and we do not even know it! If this teaching were taken to heart, then we would obey God and not fear terrorists because we are of Abraham's physical seed as well as many believers!

 

[wavy]

I agree with the overall concept, tim. However, it seems you are promoting Anglo-Israelism (forgive me if this is not true).

However, I believe Israelite seed is to be found in all nations, since they were scattered into all nations as multitudes of scripture testify.

 

[tim-from-pa]

Well, to be honest, there are many physical seed of Abraham. They were to become as the dust of the Earth (dust means physical descendants). Some were to be as the stars of heaven (spiritual). However, within the physical seed of Abraham are included people of all races (c.f. Ezek 17:23).

However, this is started by the physical seed which was promised to be numerous. That is the meaning of the birthright as genealogy was very important. Birthright is what is granted by birth, i.e. race. And being "born again" does not cut it since that is not a racial election. It's amazing how many would wrest the Word of God by comparing the birthright to the new birth.

Whatever you do, do not cut out the genealogical importance of the covenant. The covenant to Abraham was both to physical and spiritual (and some spiritual being of the physical as well) seed of Abraham, otherwise all the promises to Abraham, the promise of the messiah and the basic foundation of Christianity falls.

 

[bibleberean]

The church is not under the law of Moses.

And the church is not Israel.

Israel has been given a land. It has been scattered among the nations. God will one day restore Israel to it's former land and no one will ever move them again.

Jeremiah 31:35-36 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

Christ will return to restore Israel into her land. Right now Israel is under a curse but not for ever.

The Gentiles can become the seed of Abraham but they are not the seed of Israel which is Jacob.

Those who wish to place us under the law of Moses are false teachers and under a curse.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

We are not obligated to keep the law of Moses.

The Sabbath, circumcision, abstain from certain foods etc.

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

There is a danger to those who teach that in addition to believing the gospel we must keep the law.

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

We do not have to keep the law or be circumsised to be saved.

Some of the Jews insisted that the Gentiles be circumsized in and keep the law of Moses to be saved.

That is clearly not true because the called out assembly of believers are not national Israel.

The Galatian church was rebuked by Paul because it was turning back to the Mosaic law.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

 

[bibleberean]

http://www.raptureme.com/tt15.html

The Significance of the Distinction

If Israel and the church are not distinguished then there is no basis for seeing a future for Israel or for the church, as a new and unique people of God. If Israel and the church are merged into a single program, then the Old Testament promises for Israel will never be fulfilled and are usually seen by replacement theologians as spiritually fulfilled by the church. The merging of Israel's destiny into the church not only makes into one what the Scriptures understand as two, it removes a need for future restoration of God's original elect people in order to fulfill literally His promise that they will one day be the head and not the tail (Deut. 28:13).

The more that the believer sees a distinct plan for Israel and a distinct plan for the church, the more they realize that when the New Testament speaks to the church it is describing a separate destiny and hope for her. The church becomes more distinct in the plan of God. Israel's future includes the seven-year tribulation and then shortly before Christ's return to Jerusalem she will be converted to Jesus as her Messiah as the veil is removed and then she looks upon the one Who was pierced and is converted. On the other hand, the distinct hope (the rapture before the 70th week of Daniel) for the church is Christ's any-moment return.

Thus, a distinction between Israel and the church, as taught in the Bible, provides a basis of support for the pre-trib rapture. Those who merge the two programs cannot logically support the biblical arguments for the pre-trib position.

 

[tim-from-pa]

The church is not under the law of Moses.

And the church is not Israel.

Israel has been given a land. It has been scattered among the nations. God will one day restore Israel to it's former land and no one will ever move them again.

Jeremiah 31:35-36 Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.

Christ will return to restore Israel into her land. Right now Israel is under a curse but not for ever.

The Gentiles can become the seed of Abraham but they are not the seed of Israel which is Jacob.

Those who wish to place us under the law of Moses are false teachers and under a curse.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

We are not obligated to keep the law of Moses.

The Sabbath, circumcision, abstain from certain foods etc.

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

There is a danger to those who teach that in addition to believing the gospel we must keep the law.

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

We do not have to keep the law or be circumsised to be saved.

Some of the Jews insisted that the Gentiles be circumsized in and keep the law of Moses to be saved.

That is clearly not true because the called out assembly of believers are not national Israel.

The Galatian church was rebuked by Paul because it was turning back to the Mosaic law.

Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

Galatians 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

After all those fine quotes, may I remind you and everyone else that the Law is God's perfect standard. We are not under the curse of the Law any longer. That means that Christ became the curse for us, so in Him we are not cursed for breaking it, any more than we are blessed by our own salvational merits for keeping it.

That being said, the Law as God's righteous standard is not done away with. What is done away with is the covenant of that Law as a means of attaining, or I should say, proving one's righteousness.

I think what people do is confuse the standard of the Law with the reward or punishment for keeping or breaking that standard. The standard is the same, for I do not know any other Law that says it is now OK to kill, or to commit adultery (in this day and age, Christians do that all the time--- called 'divorce' and 'remarriage'), etc etc. However, the penalty was dealt with by Christ's atoning death--- we need His righteousness instead of our own thru the Law. The whole issue about "keeping the Law" is when one does so in an attempt to gain righteousness or to add to righteousness. This is no license to break the Law (c.f. Romans 6:1-2) Another way to put it is regarding works. whose works are they? The fleshy works of the Law (which is what the Bible is warning about) or that of the Spirit (and God would not break His own Law)?

 

[bibleberean]

No one is advocating committing adultery, getting divorced, or committing sin.

I explained why we are not under the law of Moses.

We do not have to keep the Sabbath, keep the passover the way the Jews did before Christ, be circumcised etc.

I just quote scripture I didn't write it.

 

[tim-from-pa]

No one is advocating committing adultery, getting divorced, or committing sin.

I explained why we are not under the law of Moses.

We do not have to keep the Sabbath, keep the passover the way the Jews did before Christ, be circumcised etc.

I just quote scripture I didn't write it.

There are moral aspects to the Law and there are ceremonial which were the types and shadows fulfilled in Christ. Those which you are mentioning are basically latter category. There's a literal seveth-day Sabath and there's the spirit of sabbath rest in Christ. The latter is what is the most important of the two even though the Sabbath is technically on a Saturday out of respect for those who keep Sabbath. I won't and don't make it a salvation issue.

 

[wavy]

Since Mr. Solo finds some of my post to be too offensive, I'll say this in the nicest way that I can:

Bibleberean, you have not answered any of what I said (except with a presupposition that the "church" is a mystery).

In addition to this, you continually seem to want to discuss the Torah, even though that was never the subject of this thread. I think that proves the real reason this theology exists.

So (not that you'd be sad; more likely happy) I will not say anything else until you've addressed my points. I think the abscence of any answer to them shows us that separate entity "church" vs. Israel theology is wrong.

 

[bibleberean]

The Sabbath is not a "ceremonial Law".

Exodus 20:8-10 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Exodus 31:14-16 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

The Church is not Israel and is under no obligation to meet on Saturday or keep the Sabbath.

The Sabbath is part of the Mosaic Law.

Circumcision is not ceremonial either.

John 7:22-23 Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

Galatians 5:4-7 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Those who say we must keep the law to be saved are under a curse.

They have added to the gospel of Grace.

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Galatians 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

To add the law to the gospel makes "it another gospel which is not another"

 

[bibleberean]

Jew and Gentile
Rightly Dividing the Word, by Clarence Larkin, 1920

The present degenerate condition of the world is owing to the fact that the Jews have lost their savor, as the salt its saltness, and until they recover it degeneration will continue to develop until the time comes that the smell of the decomposition of the decaying nationalities of the earth shall call for Divine interposition and the Jewish SALT be resavored by the conversion of the Jews, and their becoming the leading nation of the world.

For the Jews today there is no "Pillar of Cloud" by day, nor "Shechinah Flame" by night. They have no altars, no sacrifices, no priesthood as in former days. They observe the "Passover," but no paschal lamb is slain. They keep the "Great Day of Atonement," but no blood is shed to make reconciliation for sin. All sacrifices and oblations have ceased. They have no King, no judges, no Prophets, no inspired writers. The "Urim" and "Thummin" give no Divine token. The word of God is precious, but there is no "open vision." Their last Great Prophet was the "Man of Galilee," but Him they rejected. Like their forefathers, who took Joseph, after they had rejected him, and sold him for 20 pieces of silver, and he was hidden from their view in Egypt on the Throne of Pharaoh, so the Jews took Jesus, their Joseph, and having rejected Him, sold Him for 30 pieces of silver, and He is now hidden from them on His Father's Throne.

Why Is This? Have they been supplanted as a "Nation" by the Gentiles, and as "God's People" by the Church? Are they never again to have a land of their own, and a King, and a Capital City, and a National Existence?

Is not their condition today the fulfillment of the prophecy of Ho 3:4? "The Children of Israel shall abide MANY DAYS without a King, and without a Prince, and without a Sacrifice, and without an Image, and without an Ephod, and without Teraphim?"

Is it not that Jerusalem must be-- "Trodden down of the Gentiles until the `Times of the Gentiles' be fulfilled?" Lu 21:24.

What does Paul say-- "Blindness in part is happened to Israel until the `Fulness of the Gentiles' be come in. And so All Israel Shall Be Saved." Ro 11:25-26.

From these scriptures we see that the Jews have not been supplanted by either the Gentiles or the Church, and when the time comes they will again become a nation.

We indulge in no idle and profitless speculations when we attempt to forecast the future of the Jewish People. All we have to do is to gather together and place in their logical order what the Holy Spirit through the Prophets, has foretold. The method is as simple as the result is sure.