Romans 9:
[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
[2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
[3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
[4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
[5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
[6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
[7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[8] 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.
[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
[2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
[3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
[4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
[5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
[6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
[7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[8] 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.
In Romans 9 Paul begins a section of the letter that is dealing with Israel. Throughout this section of the letter Paul discusses the unbelief of Israel and their fall (Rom. 9, 10:1-4, 11). He says that Israel has been blinded and set aside temporarily because of their unbelief until God brings His dealings with the Gentiles to a fullness (Rom. 11:25-27). In Romans 9:1-8 Paul is discussing the division that existed in Israel. Remember what the Lord said in Matthew 10:34 and Luke 12:51? He said that He came to send division among Israel.
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
The division the Lord sent was a division between unbelieving Israel and believing Israel.....
John 6:
[64] But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew
from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should
betray him.
[65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
[66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
[67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
[68] Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
[69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
[65] And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
[66] From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
[67] Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
[68] Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
[69] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
John 7:
[37] In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood
and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
[40] Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
[41] Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
[42] Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
[43] So there was a division among the people because of him.
[38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
[39] (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
[40] Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
[41] Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
[42] Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
[43] So there was a division among the people because of him.
John 9:16 Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he
keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a
sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.
John 10:
[17] Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
[18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
[19] There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
[20] And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
[21] Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
[18] No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
[19] There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
[20] And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
[21] Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
The Lord separated believing Israel from unbelieving Israel. The unbelieving Jews would not enter into the Kingdom, it would be given to the believing Israel known as the Little Flock.
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you ["the chief priests and the elders of the people" verse 23], The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
The followers of Christ, such as the 12 apostles, would be given the Kingdom rather than "the chief priests and the elders of the people". The Lord said that He was giving Peter great authority in regards to the Kingdom (Matt.16:19) and that the 12 apostles would reign over the twelve tribes of Israel during the Kingdom....
Matthew 19:
[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
[28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
[28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
When Paul said, "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel....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", he put a distinction between physical Jews and believing Jews. The Jews that believed the word of God were the children of promise just as Abraham was (Rom. 4:1-16) and would be heirs of the world (Kingdom).
Romans 4:
[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
[2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
[3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
[6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
[7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
[8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
[9] Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
[10] How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
[11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
[12] And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
[13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
[14] For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
[16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
[1] What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
[2] For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
[3] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
[6] Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
[7] Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
[8] Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
[9] Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
[10] How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
[11] And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
[12] And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
[13] For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
[14] For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
[16] Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Romans 9:
[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
[2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
[3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
[4] Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
[5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
[6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
[7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
[8] 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.
Unbelieving Israel was zealous of the Law, but they did not have faith in Christ which made them not heirs of the Kingdom like the Little Flock. God's original plan was for all Israel to be a believing nation from which He could bless all nations (Isa. 2:2-4, 60:1-22, 61:1-11, 62:1-12, Micah 4:1-3, Zech. 8:22-23). When God first created Israel as a nation He said that He wanted them to be a peculiar treasure, holy nation, and kingdom of priests (Exod. 19:5-6). However, they did not all keep His covenant and hearken to the voice of the LORD (Deut. 18:18-19, Exod. 19:5) and they "cut off" their Christ (Dan. 9:26). Therefore Israel was split, they were divided between believing and unbelieving. Only the believing Little Flock will become the kingdom of priests.
Exodus 19:
[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
[6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Exodus 19:
[5] Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
[6] And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Isaiah 61:6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus
Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
To get into the new nation of Israel, the "Little Flock" that would become a holy nation and royal priesthood in the Millennium, the requirement was believing the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Gospel of the Kingdom had many requirements:
- The Baptism of Repentance, which was repenting/confessing/baptism (Matt. 3:1-11, Mark 1:4-5, Luke 3:3, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16).
- Selling all that you had (Matt. 6:19-34, 8:20, 10:8-10, 13:44-46, 19:16-24, Mark 6:7-9, 10:17-23, Luke 3:8-11, 9:1-4, 12:15-34, Acts 2:44-45, 3:1-6, 4:32-37, 5:1-11).
- Forgiving others of their sins against you (Matt. 6:12-15, 18:21-35, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 6:37, 11:4).
- Maintain good works (Matt. 5:20, 5:48, 16:27, 19:16-19, John 5:29). This included very seemingly "little" sins, such as not calling someone a fool (Matt. 5:22).
- Doing works meet for repentance (Matt. 3:7-10, Luke 3:8-11).
- Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. You must do this to be a child of God (Matt. 5:43-45). - Bring forth fruit to abide in God's love or be cast into the fire (Matt. 7:15-20, John 15:1-10).
- Do the will of God keeping His words (Matt. 7:21-27).
- Endure to the end of the Tribulation until Christ comes without denying the Lord (Matt. 10:22, 10:32-33, 24:13-14, Luke 12:8-9, Mark 13:13, Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5, 3:12, 3:21, 21:7, Heb. 3:6-14, 4:1, 4:11, 6:4-8, 8:8-13, 10:16-17, 10:38-11:31).
- Do not take the Mark of the Beast (Rev. 13:15-18, 14:9-11).
- Do not try and save your physical life by denying Christ in the midst of persecution, you will lose your soul if you do (Matt. 10:38-39, 16:25-26, Mark 8:35-36, Luke 9:24-25, 17:33).
- Do not blaspheme the Holy Ghost (Matt. 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-29, Luke 12:10, 1 John 5:16).
- Watch for Christ's Second Coming to the earth and be a faithful servant (Matt. 24:42-51, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:34-36).
- Do not hate your brethren (1 John 3:14-15).
- Take care of the Jews and believers in the Tribulation (Matt. 25:30-46).
As shown in previous posts, the Kingdom program that God had with Israel was postponed when He made known the Mystery of Christ to the apostle Paul (Eph. 3:1-9, 5:32, Col. 1:25-28, 4:3, 1 Tim. 3:9). Christ dispensed the Gospel of the Grace of God to Paul first which made him the pattern to those that would believe after him (1 Tim. 1:11-16, Titus 1:1-4, Rom. 2:16, 16:25, 2 Tim. 2:8, Gal. 1:11-12, 2:1-9). Paul was given the Grace program of the Mystery Church which is the Body of Christ (Rom. 6:14, Eph. 3:2, 1 Cor. 3:9-11, 4:15-16). The Body of Christ has no priests, it is not a nation, and there is neither Jew nor Gentile in it (1 Cor. 12:13, Rom. 10:12, Gal. 3:16-28, 6:15, Col. 3:11). The Body of Christ is a "new man" where there is neither Jew nor Gentile (Eph. 2:15, Col. 3:10-11). To get into this Body all you have to do is believe the Gospel of the Grace of God (Acts 20:24, Eph. 3:6, Gal. 3:26-28, Col. 2:16-17).
"Replacement Theology" teaches that the Body of Christ is a "spiritual Israel", it teaches that those who believe the gospel become Jews in a mystical way. This is not based on scripture rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15). Paul plainly says that the Gentiles did not replace Israel and that God will resume His dealings with them (Rom. 11:1-28). The "proof texts" of Replacement Theology are Romans 2:28-29 and Philippians 3:3.
Romans 2:28-29 says "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Replacement Theology teaches that these verses are referring to all Gentiles who believe the gospel and that all Gentiles who believe the gospel become Jews. But that is not what the verses say. Look at the whole context....
Romans 2:
[17] Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
[18] And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law;
[19] And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,
[20] An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
[21] Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
[22] Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
[23] Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
[24] For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
[25] For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
[26] Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
[27] And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
[28] For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
[29] But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
There are several key points that need to be addressed from this passage. Paul is condemning physical Israel for not living up to their purpose that God gave them. God gave them the word of God (Ps. 147:19-20, Rom. 3:1-2) and they boasted in that, however, Paul says that they were hypocrites because they were disobeying the Law themselves (Rom. 2:17-24). Paul is teaching that if the Jews do not keep the Law, then their circumcision means nothing because it was a token of the covenant that they had with God (Gen. 17:9-11). Circumcision was meaningless for a Jew if he did not serve God with all his heart and soul, that is what the Bible calls being "circumcised in heart and ear".
Deuteronomy 10:
[11] And the LORD said unto me, Arise, take thy journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give unto them.
[12] And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
[13] To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
[14] Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD's thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.
[15] Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.
[16] Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Acts 7:51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
Another reason why Romans 2 is not saying that saved Gentiles under Grace become spiritual Jews is because he is NOT referring to BELIEVING Gentiles UNDER GRACE. He is referring to "if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law" (verse 26). It does not say "if the uncircumcision believe the gospel and get in Christ". Paul is referring to unbelieving heathen Gentiles that do not know the gospel, but are following their conscience.
The last proof text of Replacement Theology is Philippians 3:3, which says "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." But Paul is not referring to Gentiles becoming Jews, he is referring to the removal of the sins of the flesh which is a spiritual circumcision. Christ quickens (makes alive) a believer and forgives him of all sins and no longer imputes sin to us, a removal of the sins of the flesh (Col. 2:10-13, Rom. 4:5-9).
Colossians 2:
[10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
[11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
[12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
There are two different groups of saved people in the Bible. Paul divides them as the "NEW CREATURE" (the members of the Body of Christ--Eph. 2:15) and the "ISRAEL OF GOD" (the believing Jews of all ages--Rom. 9:6).
Galatians 6:
[15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (The one new man, the Body of Christ--Eph. 2:15, 3:6, 1 Cor. 12:12-13, Gal. 3:26-28)
[16] And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (Peter's Little Flock, the holy nation and royal priesthood that goes into Daniel's 70th Week--1 Pet. 2:5-10)
--Eli Caldwell
[15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (The one new man, the Body of Christ--Eph. 2:15, 3:6, 1 Cor. 12:12-13, Gal. 3:26-28)
[16] And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (Peter's Little Flock, the holy nation and royal priesthood that goes into Daniel's 70th Week--1 Pet. 2:5-10)
--Eli Caldwell
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