Romans 9 11 (nkjv)

Bridges for Peace ... Your Israel Connection 1

A Brief Look at Paul’s Teaching A Brief Look at Paul’s Teaching in Romans 9-11in Romans 9-11


Replacement theology and Christian arrogance

Paul’s teaching clearly opposes the heresy of Paul’s teaching clearly opposes the heresy of replacement theologyreplacement theology, which , which arrogantlyarrogantly declares that the church is the “new Israel” declares that the church is the “new Israel” and hasand has replaced replaced Israel in the plans of God Israel in the plans of God

We are each one of us called to be a workerWe are each one of us called to be a worker

“rightly dividing the word of truth” “rightly dividing the word of truth” 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 2:15


Paul’s strong language

““I tell the truth in Christ, I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lyingI am not lying”” Romans 9:1Romans 9:1

""Do not boastDo not boast against the branches” against the branches” [“broken off”[“broken off” - - v 17- i.e. unbelieving Jews]v 17- i.e. unbelieving Jews] Romans 11: 18Romans 11: 18

““Do not be haughtyDo not be haughty [arrogant] [arrogant], but fear", but fear" Romans Romans 11:2011:20


Paul’s strong language

"I do not desire, brethren, that you should be"I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be of this mystery, lest you should be wisewise in your own opinionin your own opinion…”…” Romans 11:25aRomans 11:25a

Regarding any thought that God has finished Regarding any thought that God has finished with the Jews - with the Jews - “Certainly“Certainly not!” “No way!” not!” “No way!” “By no means!” “By no means!” Romans 11:1,11Romans 11:1,11


The importance of context

Christianity didn’t just appear Christianity didn’t just appear in a vacuumin a vacuum

It sprang from the highly developed religious It sprang from the highly developed religious tradition and culture of ancient Israel - its tradition and culture of ancient Israel - its roots are roots are deep in Jewish soildeep in Jewish soil

We need to understand also the historical We need to understand also the historical context of the book of Romans context of the book of Romans


The early church

The leaders and teachers in the earliest The leaders and teachers in the earliest Christian communities were Christian communities were JewishJewish

But as elsewhere and at other times,But as elsewhere and at other times, persecutionpersecution wasn’t far around the corner wasn’t far around the corner - - something that in various ways has something that in various ways has haunted haunted the Jewish peoplethe Jewish people for two millennia for two millennia


Change in the church

In AD 49, following a disturbance involving In AD 49, following a disturbance involving Jews, the emperor Claudius (as described in Jews, the emperor Claudius (as described in Acts 18:2Acts 18:2) ) expelled Jews from Romeexpelled Jews from Rome

As a result, As a result, GentilesGentiles took over leadership of took over leadership of the Roman churchthe Roman church


Paul’s plans

Jews were later invited by the emperor Nero Jews were later invited by the emperor Nero to to return return to Italyto Italy

Paul writes to the Roman church and lays Paul writes to the Roman church and lays out the out the fundamentals of the Christian faith,fundamentals of the Christian faith, and also brings some clear teaching and also brings some clear teaching regarding the way regarding the way Gentile believersGentile believers needed needed to relate to to relate to Jewish believersJewish believers


What is the key New Testament teaching on how Christians should

relate to Jews?

In Romans, Chapters 9 through 11, Paul builds In Romans, Chapters 9 through 11, Paul builds on his case of on his case of justification by faithjustification by faith by by answering the next logical question: answering the next logical question: “So then, “So then, what about Israelwhat about Israel? ? Hadn’t the Hadn’t the unbelief unbelief of of Jewish Jewish people cut them off from people cut them off from God?” God?”


Romans 9:3-5

““For I could wish that I myself were accursed For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom whom pertainpertain [ [belongbelong] the adoption, the ] the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom service of God, and the promises; of whom areare the fathers and from whom, according to the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.”eternally blessed God. Amen.”


God’s covenant people still

The Jewish people The Jewish people areare God’s covenant God’s covenant people, bound to Him people, bound to Him then as nowthen as now through through an an everlastingeverlasting covenant - covenant - Genesis 17:7-8Genesis 17:7-8

To IsraelTo Israel were given wonderful gifts and were given wonderful gifts and blessings and promises, and blessings and promises, and they still applythey still apply


Key chapter - Romans 11

“ “I say then, has God I say then, has God cast away cast away [literally, push or thrust away] His people? [literally, push or thrust away] His people? Certainly not! Certainly not! For For I alsoI also am an Israelite, am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has Benjamin. God has notnot cast away cast away [disowned /utterly rejected][disowned /utterly rejected] His people His people whom He foreknew.”whom He foreknew.”

Romans 11:1-2aRomans 11:1-2a


Israel’s temporary stumble

““I say then, have they stumbled that they I say then, have they stumbled that they should should fallfall [i.e. beyond recovery]? Certainly [i.e. beyond recovery]? Certainly not! But through their not! But through their fallfall, to provoke them to , to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the jealousy, salvation has come to the GentilesGentiles.”.”

Romans 11:11Romans 11:11

Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah did Israel's rejection of Jesus as the Messiah did notnot result in a result in a permanent fall from gracepermanent fall from grace


Riches for the Gentiles

““Now if their fall is Now if their fall is richesriches for the worldfor the world, and , and their failure their failure riches for the Gentilesriches for the Gentiles, how , how much more their fullness!”much more their fullness!”


The Gentiles - you and I - really do owe a The Gentiles - you and I - really do owe a tremendous debttremendous debt to Israel to Israel


Called to make Israel jealous

But through their fall, to But through their fall, to provokeprovoke them to them to jealousyjealousy, salvation has come to the , salvation has come to the GentilesGentiles.”.”


““For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may ministry, if by any means I may provoke toprovoke to jealousyjealousy those who are my flesh and save those who are my flesh and save some of them.”some of them.”

Romans 11:13-14Romans 11:13-14


Christian anti-Semitism

Centuries of anti-Semitism in the church has Centuries of anti-Semitism in the church has often been a huge stumbling block that has often been a huge stumbling block that has driven a driven a hugehuge wedgewedge between Jewish people between Jewish people and Christiansand Christians

Edward Flannery (1964) - “The pages Jews Edward Flannery (1964) - “The pages Jews have memorized have been torn from our have memorized have been torn from our histories of the Christian era….”histories of the Christian era….”



Justin MartyrJustin Martyr (c. AD 160) in speaking to a Jew (c. AD 160) in speaking to a Jew said: “The Scriptures are not yours, but ours.” said: “The Scriptures are not yours, but ours.”

IrenaeusIrenaeus, Bishop of Lyon (c. AD 177) declared: , Bishop of Lyon (c. AD 177) declared: “Jews are disinherited from the grace of God.” “Jews are disinherited from the grace of God.”

TertullianTertullian (AD 160-230), in his treatise, (AD 160-230), in his treatise, ““Against the JewsAgainst the Jews,” announced that God had ,” announced that God had rejected the Jews in favour of the Christians.rejected the Jews in favour of the Christians.



In the early 4th century, In the early 4th century, EusebiusEusebius wrote that wrote that the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures were the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures were for Christians; the curses were for the Jews.for Christians; the curses were for the Jews.

In AD 313 In AD 313 Constantine Constantine issued the issued the Edict of Edict of MilanMilan, favouring Christianity while outlawing , favouring Christianity while outlawing synagogues. Another edict in AD 315 synagogues. Another edict in AD 315 allowed the burning of Jews if they broke the allowed the burning of Jews if they broke the laws. With Christianity becoming the state laws. With Christianity becoming the state religion, more anti-Jewish laws were passed. religion, more anti-Jewish laws were passed.


Christian anti-Semitism Hilary of Poitiers Hilary of Poitiers (AD 291-371) wrote: “Jews (AD 291-371) wrote: “Jews

are a perverse people accursed by God forever.” are a perverse people accursed by God forever.” Gregory of NyssaGregory of Nyssa (died AD 394), Bishop of (died AD 394), Bishop of

Cappadocia: “the Jews are a brood of vipers, Cappadocia: “the Jews are a brood of vipers, haters of goodness...” haters of goodness...”

St. JeromeSt. Jerome (AD 347-407) describes the Jews as (AD 347-407) describes the Jews as “... serpents, wearing the image of Judas, their “... serpents, wearing the image of Judas, their psalms and prayers are the braying of donkeys.” psalms and prayers are the braying of donkeys.”



At the end of the 4th century, the Bishop of At the end of the 4th century, the Bishop of Antioch, Antioch, John ChrysostomJohn Chrysostom, wrote: “The , wrote: “The synagogue is not only a brothel and a theatre; synagogue is not only a brothel and a theatre; it is also a den of robbers and a lodging for it is also a den of robbers and a lodging for wild beasts. No Jew adores God... Jews are wild beasts. No Jew adores God... Jews are inveterate murderers, possessed by the devil, inveterate murderers, possessed by the devil, their debauchery and drunkenness gives them their debauchery and drunkenness gives them the manners of the pig. They kill and maim the manners of the pig. They kill and maim one another...”one another...”


Christian anti-Semitism These anti-Jewish teachings gave rise to: These anti-Jewish teachings gave rise to: the killing of many Jewsthe killing of many Jews inin the Crusades the Crusades; ; the accusations of the accusations of deicidedeicide and and blood libelblood libel; ; the forced wearing of the forced wearing of distinguishing marksdistinguishing marks;; the the horrors ofhorrors of the Inquisition the Inquisition; ; the displacement of whole Jewish communities the displacement of whole Jewish communities

by by exileexile or separate or separate ghettoesghettoes; ; the the destructiondestruction of synagogues/Jewish books; of synagogues/Jewish books; physical persecution physical persecution andand execution execution; ; the the PogromsPogroms…. …. culminating inculminating in the Holocaust the Holocaust, which occurred , which occurred

in “Christian” Europe. in “Christian” Europe.


Martin Luther

Martin LutherMartin Luther wrote: “The Jews are brutes. wrote: “The Jews are brutes. Their synagogues are pig sties; they ought to Their synagogues are pig sties; they ought to be burned. They live by evil and plunder. be burned. They live by evil and plunder. They are evil beasts that ought to be driven out They are evil beasts that ought to be driven out like mad dogs……” like mad dogs……”

He also seems to advocate their murder, He also seems to advocate their murder, writing: "[W]e are at fault in not slaying them.” writing: "[W]e are at fault in not slaying them.”

On the Jews and Their LiesOn the Jews and Their Lies (1543) (1543)


A coming time of blessing

How sensitively and lovingly - and with much How sensitively and lovingly - and with much humility - Christians need to humility - Christians need to rebuildrebuild trust in trust in relationship with the Jewish people! relationship with the Jewish people!

And, says Paul in And, says Paul in Romans 11:12-15Romans 11:12-15, there is , there is wonderfulwonderful blessingblessing for the Gentiles and also for the Gentiles and also for the Jewish people in the days ahead - see for the Jewish people in the days ahead - see especially especially verses 12verses 12 and and 1515


A coming time of blessing

Romans 11:12,15Romans 11:12,15

“Now if their “Now if their fall fall is riches for the world, and is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more much more their fullnesstheir fullness!” !” (verse 12)(verse 12)..

“For if their being “For if their being cast awaycast away is the is the reconciling of the world, what will reconciling of the world, what will their their acceptanceacceptance be but be but life from the deadlife from the dead?” ?” ((verse 15)verse 15)..


What God begins well He finishes well

““For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches”branches”


Numbers 15:18-21, Leviticus 23:10Numbers 15:18-21, Leviticus 23:10


God will never set Israel aside

God has a special love for the descendants God has a special love for the descendants of the patriarchs and will of the patriarchs and will never set Israel never set Israel asideaside! !

Israel, whose origins began with a covenant Israel, whose origins began with a covenant with God, with God, will bewill be redeemed and wonderfully redeemed and wonderfully blessed by her God.blessed by her God.


Paul’s imagery of the olive tree

Paul uses the imagery of the Paul uses the imagery of the olive treeolive tree to to emphasise our Christian connection with emphasise our Christian connection with Israel. Israel.

He teaches that God’s plan was to bring Jew He teaches that God’s plan was to bring Jew and Gentileand Gentile together together as as one olive treeone olive tree, but , but sadly church history teaches us that instead sadly church history teaches us that instead they were separated.they were separated.


God hates an arrogant attitude

““And if some of the branches were broken And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted ingrafted in among them, and with them among them, and with them became a became a partakerpartaker of the root and of the root and fatness of the olive tree, fatness of the olive tree, do not boastdo not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the remember that you do not support the root, but root, but the root supports youthe root supports you.” .”



“He may not spare you”

You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off that I might be that I might be grafted ingrafted in.’ Well said. .’ Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. and you stand by faith. Do not be haughtyDo not be haughty, , but fearbut fear. For if God did not spare the natural . For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either.”branches, He may not spare you either.”



Israel is the natural root

“ “For if you were cut out of the olive tree which For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were is wild by nature, and were grafted grafted contrary contrary to nature to nature into into a cultivated olive tree, how a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are much more will these, who are natural natural branchesbranches, be grafted into their own olive , be grafted into their own olive tree?”tree?”



Israel is the natural root

Christians are those who have been Christians are those who have been “grafted into”“grafted into” the cultivated (natural) olive the cultivated (natural) olive tree (tree (Romans 11:24Romans 11:24), which is the place of ), which is the place of God’s blessing and favourGod’s blessing and favour

Israel (in covenant relationship with God) is Israel (in covenant relationship with God) is the the natural rootnatural root (ever-green, indestructible) (ever-green, indestructible)

As Christians As Christians grafted ingrafted in we partake of we partake of “the“theroot and fatnessroot and fatness [or richness/sap] [or richness/sap] of the oliveof the olivetree”tree” ( (Romans 11:17Romans 11:17))


Ephesians 2:11-16

Paul’s point in this Ephesians passage is that Paul’s point in this Ephesians passage is that the unity between Jew and Gentilethe unity between Jew and Gentile as the as the “one new man” (verse 15) is accomplished “one new man” (verse 15) is accomplished by God as He grafts branches by God as He grafts branches “cut out of the “cut out of the olive tree that is olive tree that is wild by naturewild by nature” ” (unbelieving (unbelieving Gentiles) Gentiles) intointo “the cultivated olive tree”“the cultivated olive tree” whose roots are His chosen people the Jews whose roots are His chosen people the Jews ((Romans 11:24Romans 11:24). ).


The Jews’ blessing to the world

Paul’s reference to the Paul’s reference to the fatness / richness / fatness / richness / sap sap of the Jewish-rooted olive tree is a of the Jewish-rooted olive tree is a reminder to us of the wonderful reminder to us of the wonderful blessingblessing that Israel and the Jewish people have that Israel and the Jewish people have been and continue to be to the world. been and continue to be to the world.


The Jews’ blessing to the world

Our Scriptures, the promises of God, the Our Scriptures, the promises of God, the revelation of God as the one true God (the revelation of God as the one true God (the bringing of monotheism to a world of pagan bringing of monotheism to a world of pagan idol worshippers), the apostles, and Jesus idol worshippers), the apostles, and Jesus Himself, all have come to us Himself, all have come to us through the through the Jewish peopleJewish people..


Jeremiah 31:35-37

Gentile believers were Gentile believers were never intendednever intended to to take the placetake the place of the original branches. This of the original branches. This passage opposes "replacement theology", passage opposes "replacement theology", which says that the church is the “new Israel” which says that the church is the “new Israel” and hasand has replaced replaced Israel in the plans of God. Israel in the plans of God.

The Jewish people have always been and The Jewish people have always been and always will be precious to God - His original always will be precious to God - His original covenant peoplecovenant people..


Do we show love and mercy?

We are to reflect God’s heart of love and We are to reflect God’s heart of love and mercy. And to watch our attitude! mercy. And to watch our attitude! DoDo we we show love and mercy (see show love and mercy (see Romans 11:31Romans 11:31)?)?

The real issue is - The real issue is - be humblebe humble! ! Love and Love and

learnlearn from our Jewish brothers and sisters. from our Jewish brothers and sisters.


“The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable”

Our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is indeed Jacob, is indeed a faithful, promise-a faithful, promise-keeping Godkeeping God - for Gentile and Jew alike! - for Gentile and Jew alike! Romans 11:22-29Romans 11:22-29

Paul declares in verse 29, Paul declares in verse 29, “the gifts and the “the gifts and the calling of God are calling of God are irrevocableirrevocable.”.” God has God has spoken, and He will do it! spoken, and He will do it!


Our response as Christians

““For if the Gentiles have been partakers of For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things” minister to them in material things” Romans 15:27bRomans 15:27b

““Thus also faith by itself, if it does not haveThus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” works, is dead” James 2:17James 2:17


Our response as Christians

““TheirTheir [the Jews’] [the Jews’] spiritual things”spiritual things” with which with which Gentile believers have been blessed are Gentile believers have been blessed are profoundly significant.profoundly significant.

The promise to the world through Abraham The promise to the world through Abraham was that, was that, "in you all the families of the earth "in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" shall be blessed" ((Genesis 12:3Genesis 12:3). The ). The Jewish people have indeed blessed us all Jewish people have indeed blessed us all with with many spiritual blessings.many spiritual blessings.


Blessing Israel Organisations like Bridges for Peace maintain Organisations like Bridges for Peace maintain

their their expression of practical love and mercyexpression of practical love and mercy because of worldwide Christian support. We because of worldwide Christian support. We have the privilege of loving His people and have the privilege of loving His people and working towards working towards healing past hurtshealing past hurts..

We We allall were disobedient, but the Lord showed were disobedient, but the Lord showed mercy to us. So we should be showing His mercy to us. So we should be showing His unconditional love to unconditional love to allall people, including the people, including the JewishJewish people. people.



What is the motto of Bridges for Peace?

““WHY JUST READ ABOUT BIBLE WHY JUST READ ABOUT BIBLE PROPHECY WHEN YOU CAN BE A PROPHECY WHEN YOU CAN BE A

PART OF IT?”PART OF IT?”

These are exciting days in which we liveThese are exciting days in which we liveThese These areare Bible times Bible times

Get involved; become a part of God’s Get involved; become a part of God’s prophetic Wordprophetic Word

Spiritual

Romans 9 11 (nkjv)