"Believing Israel is still Israel"
Saying that believing Israel is still Israel may not appear at first to be an important statement of dispensationalism, but it is.important.
At the time of Christ, Judaism was based on the Oral Law, which was later made into the written Talmud.
"Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." Mark 7: 13
The Oral Law which was later written down as the Babylonian Talmud was the authority of the Pharisees.
But Christ in Mark 7: 13 implies that the oral tradition which was the authority for the Pharisees is not the word of God.
The word of God in the New Testament does not make a distinction between the believing Jew, that is, someone of the chosen bloodline, and the believing Gentile.
"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; 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: 13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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; 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Ephesians 2: 11-22
"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." Romans 10: 12
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3: 28-29
That remnant of Israel in Romans 11: 1-5 was a remnant from the Chosen bloodline, which Christ transformed from relying on genetics, the flesh, kata sarka, to relying on Faith - see Galatians 3: 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 22. The Greek word in all these texts of Galatians 3 is pistis.
In Galatians 3: 2: πιστεως, or πίστις, pistis, "faith, belief, trust."
Paul uses pistis seven times in Galatians 3. Pistis has replaced kata sarka. The Israel of faith in the Gospel of Christ has replaced Israel kata sarka. Look at I Corinthians 10: 18, "ισραηλ κατα σαρκα." or israel according to the flesh, which Sanford calls the Race, La Raza. The King James translation of I Corinthians 10: 18 is "Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the alter?" And "That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Romans 9: 8
There are several New Testament texts about a spiritual transformation brought about by having faith in Christ and in his Gospel These texts include Romans 12; 2, James 1: 18, Titus 3: 4-7, John 3: 6-7, I Peter 1: 3-5, I Peter 1: 23, John 1: 13,
II Corinthians 5: 17, and Colossians 1: 26-27.
Romans 12: 2 talks about μεταμορφουσθε τη ανακαινωσει του νοος- the metamorphosis by the renewing of your mind. The believer is changed.
James 1: 18: "Of his own will begat
he us with the word of life, that we should be the first fruits of his
creatures. " The Greek word relating to regeneration is απεκυησεν or
apokueoi, to give birth to by the word of truth. Since the word of
truth is the source of this birth, it is a regeneration.
"But after that the kindness and love of our saviour God to man ward appeared, 5 not of the deeds of righteousness which we wrought, but of his mercy, he saved us, by the fountain of the new birth, and with the renewing of the holy ghost, 6 which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our saviour; 7 that we, once justified by his grace, should be heirs of eternal life, through hope>" Titus 3: 4-7
The important Greek word on regeneration is in Titus 3: 5, παλιγγενεσιας, or paliggenesia, see: Strong's Greek: 3824. παλιγγενεσία (paliggenesia) -- regeneration, renewal "a new birth, regeneration, renewal."
John 3: 6-7: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
John 3: 1-8 and Titus 3: 5 are talking about much the same thing, being born again or becoming regenerated in a new birth in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
"Blessed be God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which through his abundant mercy begat us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, 4 to enjoy an inheritance immortal, and undefiled, and that perisheth not; reserved in heaven for you 5 which are kept by the power of God through salvation, which salvation is prepared already to be showed in the last time." I Peter 1: 3-5.
The word important for regeneration is begat, from αναγεννησας, and see: http://biblehub.com/greek/313.htm ..." anagennaó, " beget into a new life..
To beget into a new life means much the same as in Titus 3: 5 the new birth as regeneration, or a renewing by the Holy Spirit.
I Peter 1: 23, says " Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." The Greek word here is αναγεγεννημενο, or anagennáō, see: https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/greek/313.html......" be born again, born anew."
John 1: 13: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to be the sons of God: in that they believed on his name: 13 which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor yet of the will of man: but of God."
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Corinthians 5: 17
"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Colossians 1: 26-27
Paul makes a clear distinction in Romans 9: 8 between Israel of the flesh and those who were of the physical bloodline who are believers, which he calls the children of the promise who are counted as the seed. "That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."
The reason why the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile has been broken down is because the Gospel of Christ is able to transform Jew and Gentile alike.
When a dispensationalist reminds us that the believing person of Israel, meaning Old Covenant Israel, is still of Israel, the dispensationalist is arguing in opposition to this transformation brought about by the Gospel of Christ which can make believing Jew and believing Gentile one in Christ.
One of the fundamental assumptions or starting postulate of dispensationalism is stated by the founders of this theology.
"Israel is an eternal nation, heir to an eternal land, with an eternal kingdom, on which David rules from an eternal throne so that in eternity, '...never the twain, Israel and church, shall meet." Lewis S. Chafer, Systematic Theology (Dallas, Dallas Seminary Press, 1975), Vol. 4. pp. 315-323.......For dispensationalists Israel must always mean Old Covenant Israel, and none other. Chafer was an early American dispensationalist who followed C.I. Scofield and Chafer founded Dallas Theological Seminary.
Charles C. Ryrie (born 1925) says:
"basic promise of Dispensationalism is two purposes of God expressed
in the formation of two peoples who maintain their distinction
throughout eternity." Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today,1966, pp.44-45.
J. Dwight Pentecost in his book Things To Come ( 1965) says "The church and Israel are two distinct groups with whom God has a divine plan.
In Revelation Chapter 13, the Second Beast is seen in verses 11 to 18. This Second Beast is the false prophet.
The dispensationalist is following False Prophets in saying that those of the physical bloodline who believe Christ and his Gospel remain as Old Covenant Israel. To say the opposite, that there is no difference between those of the physical bloodline who believe and the Gentiles who believe, would be to reject the starting point of dispensationalism.
But there is another opposition to Christ and his Gospel seen in I John 2: 18 and I John 4: 1-3. This is the spirit of Anti-Christ, who the dispensationalist is also following in becoming a surrogate or advocate of the collective or multitude of Old Covenant Israel, who rejected Christ.
Saying that believing Israel is still Israel may not appear at first to be an important statement of dispensationalism, but it is.important.
At the time of Christ, Judaism was based on the Oral Law, which was later made into the written Talmud.
"Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." Mark 7: 13
The Oral Law which was later written down as the Babylonian Talmud was the authority of the Pharisees.
But Christ in Mark 7: 13 implies that the oral tradition which was the authority for the Pharisees is not the word of God.
The word of God in the New Testament does not make a distinction between the believing Jew, that is, someone of the chosen bloodline, and the believing Gentile.
"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; 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: 13. But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 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; 16. And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17. And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22. In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Ephesians 2: 11-22
"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." Romans 10: 12
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Galatians 3: 28-29
That remnant of Israel in Romans 11: 1-5 was a remnant from the Chosen bloodline, which Christ transformed from relying on genetics, the flesh, kata sarka, to relying on Faith - see Galatians 3: 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 22. The Greek word in all these texts of Galatians 3 is pistis.
In Galatians 3: 2: πιστεως, or πίστις, pistis, "faith, belief, trust."
Paul uses pistis seven times in Galatians 3. Pistis has replaced kata sarka. The Israel of faith in the Gospel of Christ has replaced Israel kata sarka. Look at I Corinthians 10: 18, "ισραηλ κατα σαρκα." or israel according to the flesh, which Sanford calls the Race, La Raza. The King James translation of I Corinthians 10: 18 is "Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the alter?" And "That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Romans 9: 8
There are several New Testament texts about a spiritual transformation brought about by having faith in Christ and in his Gospel These texts include Romans 12; 2, James 1: 18, Titus 3: 4-7, John 3: 6-7, I Peter 1: 3-5, I Peter 1: 23, John 1: 13,
II Corinthians 5: 17, and Colossians 1: 26-27.
Romans 12: 2 talks about μεταμορφουσθε τη ανακαινωσει του νοος- the metamorphosis by the renewing of your mind. The believer is changed.
James 1: 18: "Of his own will begat
he us with the word of life, that we should be the first fruits of his
creatures. " The Greek word relating to regeneration is απεκυησεν or
apokueoi, to give birth to by the word of truth. Since the word of
truth is the source of this birth, it is a regeneration.
"But after that the kindness and love of our saviour God to man ward appeared, 5 not of the deeds of righteousness which we wrought, but of his mercy, he saved us, by the fountain of the new birth, and with the renewing of the holy ghost, 6 which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our saviour; 7 that we, once justified by his grace, should be heirs of eternal life, through hope>" Titus 3: 4-7
The important Greek word on regeneration is in Titus 3: 5, παλιγγενεσιας, or paliggenesia, see: Strong's Greek: 3824. παλιγγενεσία (paliggenesia) -- regeneration, renewal "a new birth, regeneration, renewal."
John 3: 6-7: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
John 3: 1-8 and Titus 3: 5 are talking about much the same thing, being born again or becoming regenerated in a new birth in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
"Blessed be God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which through his abundant mercy begat us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, 4 to enjoy an inheritance immortal, and undefiled, and that perisheth not; reserved in heaven for you 5 which are kept by the power of God through salvation, which salvation is prepared already to be showed in the last time." I Peter 1: 3-5.
The word important for regeneration is begat, from αναγεννησας, and see: http://biblehub.com/greek/313.htm ..." anagennaó, " beget into a new life..
To beget into a new life means much the same as in Titus 3: 5 the new birth as regeneration, or a renewing by the Holy Spirit.
I Peter 1: 23, says " Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." The Greek word here is αναγεγεννημενο, or anagennáō, see: https://www.studylight.org/lexicons/greek/313.html......" be born again, born anew."
John 1: 13: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to be the sons of God: in that they believed on his name: 13 which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh, nor yet of the will of man: but of God."
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." II Corinthians 5: 17
"Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Colossians 1: 26-27
Paul makes a clear distinction in Romans 9: 8 between Israel of the flesh and those who were of the physical bloodline who are believers, which he calls the children of the promise who are counted as the seed. "That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."
The reason why the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile has been broken down is because the Gospel of Christ is able to transform Jew and Gentile alike.
When a dispensationalist reminds us that the believing person of Israel, meaning Old Covenant Israel, is still of Israel, the dispensationalist is arguing in opposition to this transformation brought about by the Gospel of Christ which can make believing Jew and believing Gentile one in Christ.
One of the fundamental assumptions or starting postulate of dispensationalism is stated by the founders of this theology.
"Israel is an eternal nation, heir to an eternal land, with an eternal kingdom, on which David rules from an eternal throne so that in eternity, '...never the twain, Israel and church, shall meet." Lewis S. Chafer, Systematic Theology (Dallas, Dallas Seminary Press, 1975), Vol. 4. pp. 315-323.......For dispensationalists Israel must always mean Old Covenant Israel, and none other. Chafer was an early American dispensationalist who followed C.I. Scofield and Chafer founded Dallas Theological Seminary.
Charles C. Ryrie (born 1925) says:
"basic promise of Dispensationalism is two purposes of God expressed
in the formation of two peoples who maintain their distinction
throughout eternity." Charles C. Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today,1966, pp.44-45.
J. Dwight Pentecost in his book Things To Come ( 1965) says "The church and Israel are two distinct groups with whom God has a divine plan.
In Revelation Chapter 13, the Second Beast is seen in verses 11 to 18. This Second Beast is the false prophet.
The dispensationalist is following False Prophets in saying that those of the physical bloodline who believe Christ and his Gospel remain as Old Covenant Israel. To say the opposite, that there is no difference between those of the physical bloodline who believe and the Gentiles who believe, would be to reject the starting point of dispensationalism.
But there is another opposition to Christ and his Gospel seen in I John 2: 18 and I John 4: 1-3. This is the spirit of Anti-Christ, who the dispensationalist is also following in becoming a surrogate or advocate of the collective or multitude of Old Covenant Israel, who rejected Christ.
