This Issue...

• Present-Day Israel and the Bible — Randy Kea p.9
• The Fellowship of Christians and Jews — Garland Robinson p.10
• It is Always Right to... — Jerry Joseph p.11
• Do You Stand with Israel? — Jason Hilburn p.14
• Mail Bag — p.16

There can be no Old Testament Israel now or ever again.
God’s covenant people today is the church of Christ.

        You often hear people speak of the nation of Israel today as if it is the Israel of the Bible. Many are misguided about this. What is the status of present-day Israel with reference to God and the Bible? We need to consider three points:

• 1) What is the nation of Israel in the Old Testament?
• 2) Can the Old Testament Israel be restored today (which would make present-day Israel the same nation as in the Old Testament)?
• 3) What is the True Israel of God today under the New Testament of Christ?

        The unfolding of the scheme of redemption is based on three promises God made to Abram (Abraham): 1) the Land promise (Canaan), 2) the Nation promise (Israel), and 3) the Seed promise (Christ) (Gen 12:1-7). These three promises were repeated to Isaac: “sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swear unto Abraham thy father; and I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed” (Gen 26:3-4).
        These promises were also repeated to Jacob: “and, behold the Lord stood above it and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen 28:13-14).
        First, the Nation promise would be the development of the nation of Israel through the seed of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob’s twelve sons. From this lineage came the twelve tribes of Israel. This promise was developed and fulfilled as they grew into a great nation while they were in Egyptian bondage: “and Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation. And the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we” (Exodus 1:6-9).
        The book of Exodus records the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage by the plagues sent by God. These plagues upon the Egyptians were God’s retributive judgment upon Egypt for their immorality and idolatry. Note that God told Abraham that He would do this (Gen 15:13-14). Exodus chapters 19 and 20 record the children of Israel becoming God’s Old Testament covenant people: “ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bear you on eagles’ wings and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if you 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” (Exodus 19:4-5).
        Second, the Bible describes the Land promise. It would be Canaan, its boundaries, and fulfillment: “unto thy seed will I give this land” (Gen 12:7); “for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever” (Gen 13:15); “and I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God” (Gen. 17:8); “by little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. And I will set thy bounds from the Red Sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee”(Exodus 23:30-31); “Turn you and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites...to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon unto the great river, the river Euphrates” (Deut 1:7-8).
        These land promises were fulfilled under Joshua: “and the Lord gave unto Israel ALL THE LAND which he swear to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein...there failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel; ALL came to pass” (Josh 21:43, 45); “so Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance” (Josh 24:28); “thou art the Lord the God, who didst choose Abram, and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees and gavest him the name Abraham; and foundest his heart faithful before thee, and madest a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Jebusites, and the Girgashites, to give it, I say, to his seed, and hast performed thy words; for thou art righteous” (Neh. 9:7-8) (note: “hast performed” is past tense).
        Third, Paul identifies the Seed promise in Galatians 3:8,16: “and the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the nations be blessed...now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ.” The Seed promise to Abraham would include Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Christ, and the church of Christ —Jesus Christ for whom there are over 300 predictive prophecies in the Old Testament concerning His nature (Isa. 9:6), His virgin birth (Isa. 7:14), His vicarious death (Isa. 53), His resurrection (Psa. 16), His kingdom (church, Daniel 2:44), His new covenant (Jer. 31:31-34); the Gospel of Christ which would include salvation offered to all nations (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; Rom 1:16-17), and the church of Christ which is the only church recorded and sanctioned in the New Testament (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23-25.

        There are two errors made today concerning the Land promise.
        First, the false doctrine of “premillennialism” advocates the notion that the Land promise was not fulfilled under the Old Testament. This is easily refuted in the above passages recorded in Joshua and Nehemiah. Joshua says they possessed ALL of it. It is recorded that David later recovered it: “David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates” (2 Sam. 8:3). You can’t recover something you never possessed. It is also recorded that Solomon reigned over this land: “and Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river to the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt: they brought presents and served Solomon all the days of his life” (1 Kings 4:21). Nehemiah 9:8 says God performed ALL He promised concerning the land.
        Second, the modern Jewish state maintains that the Land promises are unconditionally perpetual. Consider this quote from a well-known modern-day Jewish web-site: “Just years after The Holocaust, the modern nation of Israel was born. On Nov 29, 1947, in nothing less than a miracle, the United Nations voted to support the creation of the modern state of Israel. However, it wasn’t until May 14, 1948, that a group of Jewish leaders gathered in Tel Aviv to sign the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel” (ifcj.org).
        It is vital to understand that the GIVING of the land of Canaan to Israel was unconditional (based on the promise that God gave to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). However, the retention (continued possession, use, control) of the land by the nation of Israel was conditional on their being obedient to the Law of Moses. This is clearly seen in Deut. 28,29,30. Note the word “if” carefully in Deut. 28:1,2,13,15 (IF thou shalt harken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth).
        Again, and this is important, RETAINING the land was conditional based on whether or not Israel kept the covenant law of Moses: “and it shall be, IF thou do at all forget the Lord thy God, and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish, as the nations which the Lord destroyed before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the Lord your God” (Deut. 8:19-20).
        Two reasons are given in the following passage for God bringing the nation of Israel into the land of Canaan: 1) to bring His retributive judgment upon the sinful tribal nations that inhabited that land and; 2) to fulfill the promise that He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: ”Speak not thou in thy heart, after that the Lord thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the Lord hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that He may perform the word which the Lord swear unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Deut 9:4-5).
        Note the warning of Joshua right before his death: “therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things until He hath destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God which He commanded you, and have gone and served other gods and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which He hath given unto you” (Joshua 23:15-16).
        Another truth to be understood is the connection with the Land promise to the restoration promise set out in Deut. 30:1-10. In Deut. 28-30, Moses teaches (as we have seen) the conditional nature of retaining the land, but in this passage he also says that if they would return and obey the voice of the Lord, they would be restored back to the land. After 70 years of captivity in Babylon (Jer. 25:1-13), they did return to the land of Canaan. The return is recorded in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. In fact, Nehemiah quotes the Deut. 30:1-10 passage in Neh. 1:4-11 and applies it to this return from captivity in Babylon.
        It is very important to remember that there are no future land restoration promises after their return from Babylon, neither in the Old nor New Testament. The comprehensive record of this return from captivity should also be studied in 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1-3 which records the edict of Cyrus, that in God’s providence, initiated the return from the 70-year captivity.
        However, the claim is made that the Land promise was unconditional and perpetual. The modern “Jewish nation” and other false teachers (premillennialists) will cite such passages as Genesis 17:8 where the land of Canaan is said to be “an everlasting possession” for the seed of Abraham. This error is easily refuted by showing that the word translated everlasting (Hebrew olam) simply means a long, indefinite period of time and does not always mean “never to cease.” For example, in Exodus 40:15 Moses said that the priesthood of Aaron would be “an everlasting priesthood.” Yet Paul in Hebrews 7:12 states that the ”priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” Other examples could be given; however, this proves the point.
        Furthermore, there are scriptural barriers which show that Old Testament Israel cannot possibly exist today or ever be restored.
        First, for modern-day Israel to be restored as Old Testament Israel, they would have to keep the Law of Moses faithfully. However, the Law of Moses was repealed at the Cross and replaced with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul said the Law of Moses was “blotted out” (Col. 2:14), “taken away” (Heb. 10:9), came to an “end,” “abolished” (2 Cor. 3:6-18); and, the Israelites are no longer “under” it today (Gal. 3:24-28).
        Second, for modern-day Israel to be restored as Old Testament Israel, the land of Canaan would have to be divided by estate and lineage. This cannot be done since the Jewish genealogies were destroyed by the Romans in the Destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. There is not a Jew living today who can trace his bloodline back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore, there can be no Old Testament Israel now or ever again.

        Fleshly Israel in the Old Testament was God’s covenant people. God rejected this fleshly nation because they rejected and murdered their own Messiah through the hands of the Romans (Acts 2:22-24). God brought them to an end as a nation as His covenant people. As God’s nation they exist no more. They only survive as a scattered race. God said He would not make a full end of them: “though I make a full end of all nations wither I have scattered thee yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished” (Jer. 30:11). After returning from Babylonian captivity, God preserved the nation of Israel to bring His Son, the Messiah, into the world and fulfill the Seed promise made to Abraham (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:16). The Israel of today in the Middle East is nothing more than a political state formed by human device.
        The New Testament clearly teaches that God’s covenant people today is the church of Christ, the church that Jesus promised to build and did build (Matt. 16:13-20) as recorded in Acts chapter 2. Therefore the church that Jesus built is God’s Israel today: “for in Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy and upon the Israel of God” (Gal. 6:15-16).
        God’s holy nation today is the church of Christ: “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 marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).
        The only true Jews today are Christians: “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” (Rom. 2:28-29).
        Abraham’s seed is no longer with fleshly Jews since they came to an end as a nation: “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” (Rom. 4:16).
        Again, the Apostle Paul says, “for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. And if ye be Christ’s then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-28).
        The modern state of Israel has no hope outside the Gospel plan of salvation. The terms of salvation are found in the Apostolic Commission. These terms are universal, for all time and for all people (Jews and Gentiles). Note: “all nations” Matt. 28:18; “every creature” Mark 16:15; “all nations” Luke 24:46-47. If the Jews reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, they will be lost. The recorded sermon of Paul in Acts 13:16-46 clearly shows that if the Jews reject the gospel, they have no hope of eternal life: “Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent… but when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judged yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles” (vs 26, 45-46).

        This article was written to set out Bible truth and in no way is meant to be anti-Semitic in nature. The truth is, if the Jews or any one else from any nation wants to be saved today, they must believe in, love, and obey the Lord Jesus Christ in harmony with His New Covenant, the Gospel, the New Testament (Heb. 5:9; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Heb. 9:15-17; Mark 16:15-16).
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Table of Contents

        Fellowship is defined as: “partnership, joint participation, the share which one has in anything, the right hand as a sign and pledge of fellowship.” Fellowship describes a situation where the parties involved are in agreement, association, “on the same page” with one another. They are equal parties in unison, in league, in sharing, a common bond. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed” (Amos 3:3)?
        The early church enjoyed such fellowship, but it was among themselves, not with the Jews or Gentiles. Early converts to Christ “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Brethren of like precious faith have fellowship (joint sharing, communion) in righteousness —approval of God.
        When speaking of fellowship, there are associations that must avoided. The admonition and principle of it is made clear. “The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils” (1 Cor. 10:20). “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers [whether Jews or Gentiles]: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness. And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye [Christians] are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Cor. 6:14-17)? “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). A work of darkness is any work or teaching that is not approved of God. “Be not ye therefore partakers with them” (Eph. 5:7). “Let us...cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Rom. 13:12). “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (the innocent, Rom. 16:17-18). “Having a form of godliness [Jews, Gentiles], but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Tim. 3:5). “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (2 John 9-11). In regard to these verses, on what basis can fellowship be claimed between Christians and Jews?
        The right hand of fellowship cannot be extended to those who do not teach and practice the word of God recorded in the New Testament (cf. Gal. 2:9). The Old Testament has been replaced with the New Testament. As a result, the Old Testament of Patriarchy and Judaism is no longer in effect. This is not the teaching of man, it is the teaching of God!
        The holy Scriptures plainly tell us what happened to Judaism —the law of Moses: it was Old, Decayed, and Vanished Away (Heb. 8:13), it was Disannulled (canceled, put away), Weak, and Unprofitable (Heb. 7:18), it was Changed (Heb. 7:12), it was simply a Shadow (not the real image, Heb. 10:1), it was Taken Away (Heb. 10:9-10), Blotted Out and Nailed to the cross of Christ (Col. 2:14), so that the Jews are No Longer Under it (Gal. 3:24-25). What more would God have to say to convince the Jews, and the world, that the law of Moses has been replaced with the law of Christ?
        Those in fellowship with God have fellowship with one another (1 John 1:5-9). In so doing, they are “fellowlabourers” like Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, and Lucas were fellowlabourers with Paul (Philemon 1:1,24). They did not have “some” fellowship, they were wholeheartedly together in their doctrine and practice. John wrote: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). The doctrine of Christ and the doctrine of Jews is not the same doctrine. It is not “joint participation” when both parties are miles apart in faith and doctrine.
        Christians can’t have fellowship with Christ and fellowship with Jews. “If we say that we have fellowship with him [God], and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6). Darkness is a synonym for that which is false, error — everything that is not the Truth —that which opposes the pure word of God. The religion of the Jews cannot be found in the holy word of God today —the New Testament by which men will be judged (John 12:48).

        Christians are the seed of the promise —not fleshly Israel. “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” (Rom. 2:28-29). “Outwardly” is contrasted with “Inwardly.” Outwardly refers to those who are Jews by birth — by virtue of their physical lineage. Inwardly refers to those who are faithful Christians from the heart and has nothing to do with physical birth or lineage.
        Jesus told the Jews, “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” (Matt. 3:9). “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 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” (Rom. 9:6-8). The children of the promise are Christians.
        If there is fellowship between Christians and Jews, then why are there Christians and why are there Jews today? They are two distinct and separate groups. Fellowship between the two makes no sense. How can you have two opposing groups in doctrine and practice and both be right? Jews say Saturday, Christians say Sunday. Both can’t be right! You can’t have two sets of laws and both be approved of God. Either the law of Moses is God’s approved law OR the law of Christ is God’s approved law. They are opposites!
        “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision” (Phil. 3:2). Three times in this verse Paul warns the church at Philippi about Judaizers. They followed behind Paul and taught brethren to keep parts of the law of Moses —mainly circumcision. If there is fellowship between Christians and Jews, then this verse is in error. The entire book of Galatians shows a great contrast between Moses’ law (Old Testament) and Christ’s law (New Testament).
        The change of the law was done by God, not man. When the council of the Jews was discussing what to do with the apostles, Gamaliel spoke the truth when he talked about the doctrine of the apostles, “if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39).
        There is no such thing as the fellowship of Christians and Jews.
              


Table of Contents

• Flee from evil. (1 Tim. 6:11; 1 Thess. 5:22)
• Follow after righteousness (1 Tim. 6:11)
• Fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12)
• Fearlessly proclaim the Word (2 Tim. 4:2-4)
• Faithfully practice the Truth (1 Cor. 16:13)
• Fellowship only those who are walking in the light (Truth) (1 John 1:6-7)
• Fear the Lord (Eccl. 12:13)
• Fill our heart with the Word of God (Psa. 119:11)
• Forgive those who repent of sins (Eph. 4:26)
• Fix our mind on things above (Col. 3:1-3)

        If you stand with Israel, with which Israel do you stand? The word “Israel” can mean different things, based on the context in which it is found, such as:
        1) The grandson of Abraham (originally named Jacob) who had twelve sons;
        2) The nation which proceeded from Jacob and his twelve sons;
        3) The modern nation commonly called “Israel,” which may or may not be true descendants of Jacob (nobody today can prove their lineage goes back to Jacob; cf. Ezra 2:62; Neh. 7:64); or
        4) The entire group of people today who are saved through faith and obedience to Christ, regardless of their genealogies —the body of Christ.
        There are legitimate reasons for nations, such as modern Israel, to defend themselves, but if you stand with people who claim to be Jews simply because you believe they are “still God’s chosen people,” you are mistaken. Genesis chapter twelve records God making a promise to Israel’s grandfather Abram that consisted of three main parts, fulfilled in this order:
        1) God would make a great nation of Abram’s descendants (Deut. 26:5);
        2) God would give Abram’s descendants the promised land of Canaan (Josh. 3:19; 23:11-14); and
        3) God would bless all families of the earth through Abram’s seed (Matt. 1:1-25; Gal. 4:4; cf. Gen. 12:1-7).
        All three blessings have now come to pass. The physical nation of Israel was God’s peculiar and holy nation until the time of Christ’s death (Exodus 19; Gal. 3:22-29; Eph. 2:11-20). But that nation has already fulfilled its main purpose —to bring the Messiah into the world so all families (Gentiles included) can be blessed through Him (Acts 10:34-35). The Law of Moses was a wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles for over 1400 years from the time of Moses to the cross. Christ came and nailed the Law of Moses to His cross (Col. 2:14-17), having “broken down the middle wall of partition” between Jews and Gentiles (Eph. 2:14). Now, there is “no difference” between how Jews and Gentiles are saved (Acts 15:9; Rom. 10:12). There is really no such thing as “Jew” or “Gentile” anymore “spiritually,” because the only distinction that matters now is whether one is “in Christ” or “outside of Christ.” Those who call themselves “Jews” and reject Jesus of Nazareth as the Son of God cannot be pleasing to God, as will be shown below.
        Notice what Paul wrote to some who failed to understand that there is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:26-29; cf. Col. 3:11; Gen. 12:3).
        Under the New Covenant, those who have been “baptized into Christ” are the only heirs of the spiritual blessings God promised through Abraham (Gen. 12:3). Later in the same epistle Paul mentions “the Israel of God,” which today is Christ’s church, consisting of saved souls from all over the world of various family lineages (Gal. 6:15-16; cf. 5:3-6). Jesus commanded all nations (which includes Israel) to believe and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:36-38).
        Paul also spoke of spiritual Israel (the church) when he wrote to the Romans. The main purpose of the letter to the Romans was to prove that, whether Jews or Gentiles, the only way to be saved is through obedience to the Gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:5; 2:6-11; 4:12; 6:1-22; 8:1-13; 10:16,21; 12:1-2; 16:26). Paul said that the true “Jew” is one inwardly, not outwardly, because, whether Jew or Gentile, he believes what the Old Testament prophesied about Christ and obeys Christ (Rom. 2:28-29; cf. Col. 2:11-13). Paul said that just because one may be “of Israel” (a descendant of Jacob), that does not mean he is a part of today’s Israel (the Lord’s church): “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 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” (Rom. 9:6-8).
        Paul’s words above echo what he wrote to the Galatians that we previously mentioned (Gal. 3:26-29). In fact, Paul (of a Jewish background himself) prayed for other Israelites who had not submitted to Christ, because they were lost: “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel [fleshly Israel] is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:1-3).
        Keeping in mind the above passage, note that all Israelites who will be saved will be saved in the same way as the Gentiles —by obeying the Gospel of Christ, not the Law of Moses (Rom. 1:16; 11:25-26). Salvation will not be by their own system of righteousness. They can only be saved through their “Deliverer” (Rom. 11:26), and He will only take away their sins through His New Covenant that He died to establish (Rom. 11:27; Heb. 9:15-17). To say otherwise is to trivialize His death and to commit blasphemy. His New Covenant cannot be separated from His New Law (Heb. 7:11-14; 10:8-9), and when Christ returns, He will punish all those who do not obey His Gospel, whether Jews or Gentiles (2 Thess. 1:7-9).
        Speaking of “standing with Israel,” at one point in his life, Saul of Tarsus (a Jew) had “stood with [fleshly] Israel” against the true Israel of Christ [the church of Christ], and was rebuked and blinded by the Lord (Acts 9). It was not until Saul obeyed the command to “be baptized, and wash away thy sins” that he became a part of New Testament Israel, being added to the Lord’s church (Acts 22:16; cf. 2:36-41,47; 9:18-19).
        Those who see fleshly Israel as the people of God instead of spiritual Israel, are misguided. They are like Paul before he learned the Truth. There are multitudes of people who believe the physical, fleshly, descendants of Jacob will be saved — unconditionally. As a result, they...
        1) Dishonor the Son of God, implying that He is not the only way to Heaven. They also imply Jesus was a false teacher, because Jesus told unbelieving Jews He was the only way to the Father, and that they would die in their sins and thus go to Hell for not believing in Him as the Son of God (Matt. 23:33; John 8:24; 14:6; cf. Luke 21:20-22).
        2) Imply that Paul was a false teacher, because Paul taught that God only saves Jews or Gentiles through obedience to the Gospel of Christ, and that there is “no difference” between how Jews and Gentiles are saved (Rom. 10:12; Romans chapters 1-11; the whole book of Galatians).
        3) Imply that Peter was a false teacher for saying that Christians comprise God’s “holy nation” and that there is “no difference” between how Jews and Gentiles are saved (Acts 15:9; cf. 4:12; 10:34, 35, 48; 1 Pet. 1:17, 22; 2:9, etc.).
        4) Imply that God’s judgment is unfair and that He is a respecter of persons, choosing to save or condemn people eternally, simply based on their family lineage (cf. Acts 10:34-35; Rom. 2:5-11, 1 Peter 1:17).
        5) Fail to understand the general message of much of the New Testament (including entire epistles such as Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews). Faithfulness to Christ is what matters, not genealogies or keeping the Old Law.
        Much more could be written about this subject, including these basic truths:
        1) The nation of Israel has already been restored to their land in 536 B.C. by Cyrus the Great. All Old Testament promises have been fulfilled (Isa. 44:28; Ezek. 37; Ezra 1; cf. Deut. 4:41-44; 19:7-9; Josh 20:7-8; 21:43-45; 23:14). The focus now should be on saving everlasting souls through Christ, not on land that will be burned at His return! (Matt. 16:26; 2 Cor. 4:18; 2 Peter 3:9-12).
        2) God exacted vengeance upon the Jews by destroying the Jewish temple and Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (Matt. 23:38-24:28; Luke 21:20-22). The belief that the physical temple will be rebuilt and animal sacrifices will be reinstated with God’s approval is blasphemous. It devalues Christ’s sacrifice and fails to acknowledge that the church is the temple of the New Covenant (1 Cor. 3:16-17; Eph. 2:21; 1 Peter 2:5; the Epistle to the Hebrews).
        3) Christ’s Kingdom which was to come in Jerusalem during the Roman kings has already been established. It is a “spiritual kingdom” (John 18:36). It is His church, the church of Christ (Isa. 2:1-4; Dan. 2; Matt. 16:18-19,28; Mark 9:1; John 18:36; Acts 1:8; 2:1-47; Col. 1:13; Rev. 1:9).
        4) Christ reigns now as King and High Priest in Heaven (Heb. 8:1; Rev. 17:14),. As a descendant of Jeconiah, Christ cannot be a king on earth (Jer. 22:28-30; Matt. 1:12). As a descendant of Judah, Christ cannot be a priest on earth (Heb. 7:11-14; 8:4; cf. Zech. 6:12-13).
        5) Christ is returning to “deliver up the kingdom to God” (1 Cor. 15:22-24). He is returning for His bride, those “in Christ,” His church —not fleshly Israel, unless we are talking about those who died and were faithful to God in Old Testament times. They will be resurrected to eternal life on that day also. All the wicked will be punished on that same “last day,” the day of Judgment (John 5:27-29; 6:44-45; 11:24; 12:48; 1 Cor. 15:22-24; 1 Thess. 4:13-5:3; 2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2 Peter 3:9-12).
        6) The wrath of God abides upon Jews or anyone else who rejects Christ. 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 alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thess. 2:14-16; cf. Matt. 23:33; John 8:24; 2 Thess. 1:7-9).
        Christians love people of all nations. We should pray for others, but salvation is only IN Christ. Jesus, Peter, and Paul (all three of them being Jews themselves) made that very clear (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:16; 10:1-3). Dear reader, you are encouraged to be an active part of New Testament Israel, which is the Lord’s church, the ones “circumcised” through water baptism to become God’s people of the New Covenant (Col. 2:11-17).
        Faithful Christians will stand against religious errors related to the physical nation of Israel and Judaism, because such errors contradict God’s Word and impugn the righteous impartiality of God (Rom. 2:5-11). Today, any person of any family may be a part of Christ’s holy nation/kingdom/church/body by:
        1) Believing in Jesus as the sinless, resurrected Son of God (John 8:24; 1 Cor. 15:24);
        2) Repenting of sins (Matt. 4:17; Acts 2:38; 17:30);
        3) Confessing faith in Christ before men (Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10);
        4) Being baptized in water “into Christ” for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 8:36-39; 10:47-48; Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:27; 1 Peter 3:20-21); and
        5) Living faithfully by the Word of God, even in the face of our death (1 John 1:7; Rev. 2:10).
               P.O. Box 759
               Baker, FL 32531
            


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“Dear brethren, Thanks. For a number of years I have had the blessing of receiving STOP here in the Florida prison system. I was a member of the Lord’s church before my arrest and conviction that sent me to prison. At one time, I was a member at the East Hill church of Christ in Pulaski, Tennessee, which is not far from McMinnville, Tennessee. I quickly found out that the Lord’s church was not well represented in the chapels here in Florida and I had a lot of years where I felt a terrible loss of not being able to worship or have any contact with the true church. Then I found out about several brotherhood publications and began inquiries into receiving some. Seek The Old Paths was one of these publications. STOP has remained true to the ‘old paths’ and I have enjoyed every issue. I want to thank all who make this publication available to me. THANK YOU! I am now blessed to be housed at a camp where volunteers from the church of Christ come in each Sunday and conduct a service. What a blessing this has been to worship again with members of the body of Christ. We recently had a man who obeyed the Gospel who did not have a background in anything other than denominational churches. I now give him my copy of STOP (once I’ve soaked up all the truth filled articles) and he will ask me sometimes if ‘I have any more of those papers yet.’ I suggested he write and get on the mailing list but he still asks for my copy. That is ok though because he is in a different dorm than I, and we can talk a bit about the articles in STOP when I bring him my copy. Just know that for many years, I relied on STOP to feed me spiritually (along side my Bible) and help me remain faithful. May God continue to bless you all and the production of STOP” ...Michael Winborn H37260, Union Correctional Inst, DORM A2-2082, PO Box 1000, Raiford, FL 32083. [Editor’s note: I’ve included brother Winborn’s address in case you would like to send him a note of encouragement]. “God bless” ...Mike Penix, Abilene, TX. “Thank you for the article ‘God Rules’ in the October issue of Seek The Old Paths along with the information on how each candidate stands on abortion. Hopefully, it will help people make the right decision when they vote. Thanks for the great article” ...OH. “Mossie Jean Moore has passed away” ...Marshall, TX. “Awesome issue on the church (Jan/2025). I pray faithful congregations across the world will preach and teach this material throughout the New Year. Can you imagine how much stronger and more viable we will be as the body of Christ when we all do?! I’ll go to work on that this Lord’s day. We sure miss brother Robert Taylor. When I met Foy E. Wallace, Jr. at the MSOP lectureship in the 70s, Robert, my Dad, and I were greeting him as he arrived, and brother Taylor said, ‘You will never meet his equal.’ I think the same is true of brother Taylor. (I had brother Wallace autograph my copy at that time of ‘A Review Of The New Versions,’ which I had read word for word twice. It helped me so much to understand so many verses of the Bible. I treasure my copy.)” ...Gary McDade, Chattanooga, TN. “Greetings, brethren. I hope and trust all is well with all of you. We at the Cubb Creek congregation are so thankful for your great publication. We are thankful the truth is being presented to the public each month. We are currently receiving copies and we would like to get more copies if possible. We are small in number, but we mail our extra copies to people outside the church. Our mailing list has grown so we need the extra copies to mail out. Thank you, and may God continue to bless your excellent work teaching the truth in his word!” ...Cubb Creek C/C, Whitleyville, TN. “We would like to receive your monthly publication Seek The Old Paths. If possible, starting with the Oct/24 publication. Thank you” ...Quitman, AR. [NOTE: back issues are always available at ‘www.seektheoldpaths.com/stop.html’ —editor]. “Please cancel STOP for Alma Mullins. She has passed away. Thank you” ...Niles, MI. “STOP is a wonderful publication. I have not been receiving it for quite a while. I have made several contributions to help with your publication. Maybe I’m not receiving it because I have moved. Would certainly like to continue receiving Seek The Old Paths” ...Jan Gobbell, Jonesboro, AR. [NOTE: You had been removed from our list because we did not have a forwarding address (until now). You’ve been added back on the list. Thanks for letting us know. I’ll send some back issues you missed, editor]. “Thank you for sending STOP each month. We enjoy the sound teaching in each issue. God bless!” ...Broadway C/C, Rockford, IL. “I would like to receive STOP. Thank you” ...Sparta, WI. “You’re doing a very good job with Seek The Old Paths —no fluff. I especially enjoy articles by Jon Gary Williams” ...Bob Chick, Bryant, IL. “Thank you so very much for this wonderful publication. May you continue to be blessed as you publish and serve the brotherhood” ...Gloria Taylor, Sun City West, AZ. “I need to change my address. I have moved and would like to continue to receive STOP please. Please update my address” ...Patty Austin, Sevierville, TN.  

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