Some teach that if a Jewish person believes in Messiah, then that Jew becomes "non-Jewish" and becomes the real Israel, i.e. the church. However, that is not the case. According to Paul, a Jew who does not believe in Messiah is still a Jew, and yet not a true one (Romans 8:28). In what sense? In the sense that a true Jew is of the faith of Abraham (Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:7). Yet, that does not mean that he biologically becomes a non-Jew any more than a believing non-Jew becomes a biological Jew. That is absurd since DNA switching is unnecessary. The distinctions between Jew and Gentile are distinctions of lineage, faith, and the promise of God (Romans 9:6-8; Gal 3:29). These distinctions are taught by Jesus in John 8:31-59 where our Lord still acknowledges the lineage of the descendants of Abraham (v. 37), and yet calls them the children of the devil (v. 44). Further, the circumcision of the heart was a foundational teaching of the Law of Moses (Deuteronomy 10:16; Leviticus 26:40) and was the promise of the Mosaic Law that God Himself would circumcise their hearts (Deuteronomy 30:6). It was not until the New Covenant that that actually occurred, which Jesus inaugurated on the night of His betrayal and was put into force at His death in spite of the spiritual condition of Israel (after all, they betrayed Him), in those who believe. Thus, a Jew who believes in Jesus Christ, Messiah, is part of the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). He/she is a true Jew.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 17:45:15 +0000
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