Overcoming Confusion over Israel and the Church

Many Christians are at odds with each other over Israel and the Church. One group speaks so much about Israel being God’s covenant people that they misunderstand Scriptures in the Old and New Testaments about God’s New Covenant. Another group is so focused on the Church and their private interpretations of Scripture and the New Covenant that they speak about the Church replacing Israel. Both groups misunderstand Scriptures, such as 1 Peter 2:9 about God’s own special people. Both groups misunderstand God’s intent in the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. It should not be but it is a mystery that they do not yet fully understand.

Both groups would benefit by setting aside man’s doctrines, traditions and private interpretations of Scripture and yielding to the Holy Spirit to teach them the Word of God. A study of the book of Ephesians would be helpful to all Christians. The Holy Spirit gave Paul more revelation about Jesus Christ and His body. Paul, in turn, expressed this revelation in the book of Ephesians. It is important to know that God did not reveal everything at one time. He called Paul and then began to progressively reveal His Word to him by the Holy Spirit. Another important point to note is that Paul wrote the book of Ephesians after he wrote the book of Romans. Nothing in Ephesians contradicts anything in Romans, but Ephesians sheds light that helps to understand the book of Romans, especially chapters 9 through 11.

Ephesians is especially helpful in understanding what the book of Romans, or any other part of the Bible, has to say about Israel and the Church. Understanding the mystery that was revealed in chapter three of Ephesians would, or might I say should, clear up a lot of misconceptions by the groups referred to in the opening paragraph above. It was always in the heart of God that His people would be made up of all nations, both Jews and Gentiles.

Concerning replacement, God has replaced the Old Covenant with the New Covenant, but He has not replaced anyone with someone else. He has not replaced Israel with the Church. He has opened the door for all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues to be His own special people. God’s New Covenant is inclusive, not exclusive. The only condition is that people receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. God’s purpose is and will continue to be bringing people into the body of Christ; this includes Jews and Gentiles. Will He still do certain things found in the Old Testament? Yes. He will continue to do what has always been in His heart, whether it was revealed in the Old Testament or the New Testament.

The prayer of Jesus in John 17 must be fulfilled in the people of God, regardless of the origin of their birth or their nationality. It cannot be fulfilled until we are sanctified by truth (John 17:17). As long as Christians hold to their beloved opinions, interpretations, and traditions, we will remain divided, and we will suffer the consequences. We will suffer the consequences of hindering people from coming to the Lord because of our division, and we will suffer defeats because we are divided and not united. May the Spirit of God find Christians all over this earth who are willing to yield to Him and to His teaching. Jesus stated in John 14:26 that the Father was sending the Holy Spirit to teach us all things. Students sit in academic classes every day and do not fully receive what their teachers present. Many Christians talk about the Holy Spirit but are not letting Him teach them all things. In both cases, the minds of people have been closed to certain things. This ought not to be. Christians are to “grow up in all things unto Him who is the head—Christ.” This cannot happen without the teaching of the Holy Spirit. We must remain open to His teaching and direction and grow to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.

It is time to start re-examining many of our doctrines and strongly held beliefs to make sure they line up with the Word of God rightly divided. Where are those with ears to hear and eyes to see? Where are those with hearts and minds that are free from private interpretations and traditions of men? Before the return of our Lord Jesus there will be a Church made up of believing Jews and Gentiles who fulfill the Lord’s desire as expressed in Scriptures such as John 17:21 and Eph. 4:13. May you not only be a part of our Lord’s body, but be instrumental in the growing, maturing and uniting of His body! He who has ears to hear let him or her hear!