Outward and Inward Jews
“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly…But he is a Jew who is one inwardly...” (Romans 2:28-29)
There are many who think believers in Jesus, which they refer to as the "church", are “spiritual Israel” based on this verse (ignoring the context). This false teaching assumes that because Israel as a nation rejected Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) God discarded Israel and the believers in Jesus among all nations are now the church, or “spiritual Israel”.
They are wrong.
A "Jew" who is one "outwardly" is simply a person whose linage can be traced back to Abraham through his son Isaac. A "Jew" who is one "inwardly" is any person who has ever believed what God says, just like Abraham did.
"Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." (Galations 3:7-9)
The Bible reveals a plan for God's chosen nation, the outward Jews on this earth, and that plan is referred to as the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Bible also reveals the plan for all mankind to become inward Jews and that plan was revealed to the Apostle Paul and is referred to as the Gospel of Grace (which is the promise of the final reconciliation and salvation of all mankind to God at the close of the ages ).
Mixing up the two has been going on for almost 1800 years, the result being that the Old Testament books, and those books of the New Testament written specifically to Jews "outwardly" are misapplied to mankind in general. And that error has caused mankind to be split into divisions unknown in the Scripture -the eternally saved verses the eternally lost - those bound for heaven and those bound for hell.
There are many who think believers in Jesus, which they refer to as the "church", are “spiritual Israel” based on this verse (ignoring the context). This false teaching assumes that because Israel as a nation rejected Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) God discarded Israel and the believers in Jesus among all nations are now the church, or “spiritual Israel”.
They are wrong.
A "Jew" who is one "outwardly" is simply a person whose linage can be traced back to Abraham through his son Isaac. A "Jew" who is one "inwardly" is any person who has ever believed what God says, just like Abraham did.
"Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." (Galations 3:7-9)
The Bible reveals a plan for God's chosen nation, the outward Jews on this earth, and that plan is referred to as the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Bible also reveals the plan for all mankind to become inward Jews and that plan was revealed to the Apostle Paul and is referred to as the Gospel of Grace (which is the promise of the final reconciliation and salvation of all mankind to God at the close of the ages ).
Mixing up the two has been going on for almost 1800 years, the result being that the Old Testament books, and those books of the New Testament written specifically to Jews "outwardly" are misapplied to mankind in general. And that error has caused mankind to be split into divisions unknown in the Scripture -the eternally saved verses the eternally lost - those bound for heaven and those bound for hell.
It is no wonder there are so many disagreements among the various sects of Christianity. They are confused because many of their teachers have not "rightly divided the word of truth".
"Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
Knowing and believing God's plans does not save anyone. His plans for both will be carried out in His own time because He planned them. It is not up to us to fulfill them, only Jesus could, can and will do that.
"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14)
I do not think the confusion will be cleared up going forward, the error is too ingrained in our churches, but it will get worse...for Jesus himself lamented...
"When the Son of Man comes (returns), will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)
"Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
Knowing and believing God's plans does not save anyone. His plans for both will be carried out in His own time because He planned them. It is not up to us to fulfill them, only Jesus could, can and will do that.
"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14)
I do not think the confusion will be cleared up going forward, the error is too ingrained in our churches, but it will get worse...for Jesus himself lamented...
"When the Son of Man comes (returns), will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)