Who is 'Israel'? The key to answering this question is to understand that there are two nations of Israel who are descendants of Abraham. One nation of Israel was formed under the Old Covenant system through genealogy alone, and the second nation of Israel arises as a remnant out of the Old Covenant nation and embraces the New Covenant system of faith in Jesus as Lord and Messiah. The Apostle Paul answers this question in Romans chapters 9 through 11. He states it clearly in chapter 9 verses 6-7, "For they are not all Israel (of God) who are the natural descendants of Israel (Jacob); nor are they all children (of God) because they are Abraham's descendants..." And in Galatians 6:15-16 Paul distinguishes who the true Israel of God is, it is Israel of the New Covenant: "For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."
In this 8 part series, Rev James Gallagher unravels much of the confusion surrounding this vital subject. Using a Biblical hermeneutic to unlock the scriptures, he gives understanding into this great mystery of the Gospel. Truly, there is a vast spectrum of opinions concerning who Israel is. On one extreme is 'Replacement Theology': those who believe that the 'Christian church' has replaced the Jewish people in the plan of God. On the other extreme is 'Christian Zionism': those who believe that out of the present secular state of Israel there will arise those who will reinstate the Old Covenant system; however, they will embrace Jesus as Messiah at his second coming. What comes forth in this series is not 'Replacement Theology' or 'Christian Zionism', but 'Remnant Theology': out of Old Covenant Israel has come forth New Covenant Israel that consists of believers (both Jews and Gentiles) in Jesus as Lord and Messiah. It is Christ, the promised seed of Abraham---and those in Him---who have inherited the promises given to Abraham by God. Paul states this premise in Romans 11:5-7 "...there is a remnant according to the election of grace... What then? What the people of (Old Covenant) Israel sought so earnestly (i.e., the promises made to Abraham) they did not obtain. The elect among them (the remnant of believers in Messiah hidden in the midst of Old Covenant Israel) did, but the others were hardened..."
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Short 2-Part Series
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Full 7-Part Series
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