Replacement Theology or Grafted In?
There seems to be a lot of confusion about this question among Christians today. Has the Church replaced Israel, or does God have 2 different sets of children with 2 different plans of salvation?
Here is my thoughts on that question, in short.
Gentile believers have not replaced Israel. Rather, we have been grafted into the same tree. This is a very simple doctrine that has unfortunately become very confusing in today’s times. Mostly because of prophecy teachers, prophecy books and loads of deception.
It’s actually very simple. Messiah, has made it possible, for the gentiles to be partakers, and full inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven. We have become Abraham’s seed, through adoption. We have not replaced Israel. When I say Israel I’m speaking of Gods children, not a piece of land.
In addition to this, Messiah has made it possible for both Jew and Gentile who have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God to be saved, to be reconciled to God. It’s the same path of salvation for us both. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the finished work of the cross. As a matter of fact, this good news, the Gospel, went out to the Jew first, and then to the Gentiles. The first Christians were in fact Jews. After all the great Apostle Paul, was a Hebrew of Hebrews, from the tribe of Benjamin. (Philippians 3:5)
However, it’s important, and crucial to understand, that no man will be saved, no man will be justified by his or her own works, by the workings of the Law. No, it’s only by faith in Jesus, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:9)
This is the good news. That anyone, regardless of nationality, or blood lines can be saved. Can become a child of God, can be grafted into Israel.
They need only to trust in the Son of God. Jesus, The Messiah.
Now, regarding the salvation of the decedents of Jacob. Let’s see what Romans 11 has to say.
The Restoration of Israel
25 For I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, lest you be wise in your own estimation, for a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
and He will remove ungodliness from Jacob”;
27
“for this is My covenant with them,
when I shall take away their sins.”28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake, but as regarding the election, they are beloved for the sake of the patriarchs. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but have now received mercy through their disobedience, 31 so these also have now been disobedient, that they also may receive mercy by the mercy shown to you. 32 For God has imprisoned them all in disobedience, so that He might be merciful to all.
33
O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments
and unfathomable are His ways!
34
“For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
35
“Or who has first given to Him,
and it shall be repaid to him?
36
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
To Him be glory forever! Amen.
I would like to end this article by posting here commentary from the great Christian commentator, Matthew Henry.
Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are the sorest; of these the apostle is here speaking. The restoration of the Jews is, in the course of things, far less improbable than the call of the Gentiles to be the children of Abraham; and though others now possess these privileges, it will not hinder their being admitted again. By rejecting the gospel, and by their indignation at its being preached to the Gentiles, the Jews were become enemies to God; yet they are still to be favoured for the sake of their pious fathers. Though at present they are enemies to the gospel, for their hatred to the Gentiles; yet, when God’s time is come, that will no longer exist, and God’s love to their fathers will be remembered. True grace seeks not to confine God’s favour. Those who find mercy themselves, should endeavour that through their mercy others also may obtain mercy. Not that the Jews will be restored to have their priesthood, and temple, and ceremonies again; an end is put to all these; but they are to be brought to believe in Christ, the true Messaih whom they crucified, and become one sheep-fold with the Gentiles, under Christ the Great Shepherd. The captivities of Israel, their dispersion, and their being shut out from the church, are emblems of the believer’s corrections for doing wrong; and the continued care of the Lord towards that people, and the final mercy and blessed restoration intended for them, show the patience and love of God.
