1 John 3:16


"By this we perceive the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Monday 19 April 2010

The Israel of God

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be upon them and mercy and upon the Israel of God. (Gal 6:15-16).

Israel is the new creature in Christ. Paul said that the church is the Israel of God. Dispensationalism claims that Paul is speaking here of two groups of people: the church and the nation of Israel and prays that peace be upon both of them. This contradicts Paul’s point. He is plainly saying that the new born are Israel.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (circumcised Jews). For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. (Phil 3:2-3).

Paul told the believers to beware of the false leaven of the Jews, who spread legalism and the law and rejoice in their flesh and natural descent from Abraham. He said that the church is the true circumcision, or the true Israel of God.

For you, brethren, became followers of the churches…in Judea…for you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and have persecuted us; and they please not God and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. (1 Thes 2:14-16).

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