And All Israel Shall Be Saved!

The True Israel, the Church are those people who have Abraham’s spiritual faith regardless of their ethnicity Gal 3:7,26-29

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 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.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Rom 4:16

16 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,

Gal 6:16

16 And as many as walk according to this rule[rule of faith], peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 7
 
I have read you correctly, you trust in the blood/flesh relationship with Abraham. Anything else you say comes from that foundation
Natural Olive tree Israel became spiritual Olive tree Israel with the promised sending of the Holy Spirit to Israel as promised by God through the prophet Joel. God's Spirit was never promised to Gentiles, and one needs the Holy Spirit to be saved.

God made covenant with Abram the Hebrew and his biological seed, such as Isaac and the inheritance is passed down to him and if he dies before God can fulfill His Promises then the Promises pass down through Isaac's biological seed, who in this instance is Jacob, Abraham's grandson. The Abraham Promises made by God to Abraham comes with a promise of inheritance if the inheritor dies before seeing God fulfill His Promises.

God made covenant with Abraham and with his biological seed. There are NO GENTILES included in the Abrahamic Covenant nor the Mosaic Covenant nor the New Covenant. God is a God of the Hebrews as says Scripture. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and passed down to Jacob's twelve sons and their children. It is a biological covenant between God and Abraham and his biological seed. The promise of the Holy Spirit is given to Israel, and it is within the confines of this covenant that God gifts Faith to the children of Israel. ONLY.

It is good to be the seed of Abraham for it is covenant through which God saves Abraham and his biological seed.
 
Saul's OPINIONS are encouraging but what He says does not alter the fact the God has covenant with Israel and Israel shall be saved - everyone - who is the seed of Abraham according to the promises made to Him by God.
Saul can count anything he wants as loss; he doesn't change the fact that by virtue of covenant all Israel SHALL be saved.
Our salvation does not rest in our holding on to His hand, but His holding onto ours:

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:26–29.

And THAT is the bottom line.
It is so difficult to talk to someone who does not beleive the BIble is the inspired word of God, but solely the opinions of the writers. So much false teachings flow from that. He isn't giving his opinion. He is saying that it is worthless to put any confidence in the flesh, and then states what confidence in the flesh looks like. He counts all of that loss through all that God the Father Himself taught Paul for three years in the wilderness after conversion. Faith is where it is at. The Spiritual life is where it is at.

The seed of Abraham is Jesus, in whom all the nations of the world will be blessed. And that is by faith. So the true seed of Abraham are those Jews and Gentiles who believe in Christ by faith. They are the blessed ones of this promise. That is why Paul discounts the flesh. The flesh is dead, with all its trappings, while the spirit is alive in faith.
 
The True Israel, the Church are those people who have Abraham’s spiritual faith regardless of their ethnicity Gal 3:7,26-29

7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 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.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Rom 4:16

16 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,

Gal 6:16

16 And as many as walk according to this rule[rule of faith], peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 7
The church is NOT Israel. The church is separate. If God breaks His covenants and promises with Israel, what hope does a Gentile have when God says... trust Me? The Israel of God is the elect of Israel that are in the nation of Israel. (Two distinct groups, the physical descendants of Abraham, and the physical/spiritual descendants of Abraham.) Israel, as far as, and all Israel shall be saved, are the elect remnant of Israel who are both physical and spiritaul descendants of Abraham. They receive the physical promises of the covenants/promises, while the Gentiles do not. The Jews and Gentiles of faith BOTH receive the spiritual blessings of the promisise made to Abraham, but only the Jews receive the physical blessings of covenant.

The church is the body of Christ, made up of both Jews and Gentiles. The distinction does not cease to exist between them, but in the church, there is no difference between the two as far as access to God, and place in the body. If you believe differently, then we need to start with the age old question... what is a woman? Paul didn't mention just Jews and Gentiles, but men and women, and slave and free. So if you say Jews and Gentiles are the same, then you must say the same for men and women, and slave and free. It is clear that isn't what Paul means. Before God, we all have equal access. Look at it from the point of the Mosaic Covenant. Only the High Priest had access to God. The only one who could step behind the veil and enter into God's presence. (Figuratively speaking.) He could also die if He loses favor with God, like Aaron's sons who offered strange fire. However, when Jesus died on the cross, the veil was torn. That division between the people and God was removed by the blood of Christ. He became the priest who intercedes for His saints. So in the body of Christ, the church, all have acess in one body. That does not change any covenants or promises God made solely with Israel.
 
The church is NOT Israel.
Yes it is. Its the congregation of the saints David recognized Ps 89 5

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints

Ps 149 1

Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
The psalmist isn't referring to the nation of israel in general, most were not saints, but a remnant.

Now the NT Identifies saved gentiles as being in union with ot saints Eph 2 19


Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Gentile believers share citizenship with Davids congregation of the Saints, its the Church of the firstborn Heb 12 23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven
, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
 
Who is the Holy Nation ?

1 Pet 2:9

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 marvellous light;

Many believe this speaks of ethnic national israel over in the middle east, but that is far from the truth. The Holy Nation here is none other than the Body of Christ, the Church comprised of both jew and gentile converts, believers. How do i know this ? Well its by scripture comparison, this same Holy Nation here in 1 Pet 2:9 is called also in Vs 5

5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Its called a Spiritual House which has reference to the Temple/Tabernacle of God of God, which is Spiritual.

Now this same epithet is used for the Church in Eph 2:19-22

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Spiritual House of 1 Pet 2:5 and the Holy Temple/Habitation of God through the Spirit of Eph 2:21,22 are the same !

And if that be so, the Church, comprised of both reconciled jew and gentile converts of Eph 2 is the Holy Nation of 1 Pet 2:9

The fulfillment of Ex 19:6

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

This isnt replacement theology but fulfillment theology according to the scriptures. 7
 
Yes it is. Its the congregation of the saints David recognized Ps 89 5

And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints

Ps 149 1

Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
The psalmist isn't referring to the nation of israel in general, most were not saints, but a remnant.

Now the NT Identifies saved gentiles as being in union with ot saints Eph 2 19


Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Gentile believers share citizenship with Davids congregation of the Saints, its the Church of the firstborn Heb 12 23

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven
, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
So you clearly deny progressive prophecy. The word translated as congregation is assembly and speaks to Israel. He is speaking to the remnant in Israel.

Hebrews 12:23 "23 to the company and assembly of the first-born in heaven enrolled, and to God the judge of all, and to spirits of righteous men made perfect,"

The word ekklesia, when dealing with the Old testament, refers to the assembly, not to a church. However, if you want to throw out progressive revelation, we can do that. Paul already stated that it is a complete mystery in the Old Testament, and Jesus told Peter that on that rock He WILL build His church. (Future tense.) So... the church didn't exist yet. It came into being on the day of Pentecost. Peter was given the keys to the church. Three clear occassions when those keys were used to open doors that would not be shut. The Jews entering the church. The Gentiles (Cornelius) entering the church, and the Samaritans entering the church.

Peter was the one who spoke on the day of Pentecost where the Jews were the first group inducted into the body of Christ the church, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, and Peter preaching to the Jews and proselytes gathered. The with Cornelius, the Holy Spirit fell upon the Gentiles while Peter was still preaching, showing the induction of the Gentiles into the same church. Then with the Samaritans, Philip and other apostles brought to them the gospel, however, they had to wait for Peter to come and give them the Holy Spirit. Three times, a door opened that would not be shut, done by Peter. The Catholic church has no keys, they solely were given to Peter by Jesus Himself. They also have no power to loose and to bind, as that was give solely to the apostles. Paul showed this power in its most drastic form when he pronounced a death sentence on Ananias and Sapphira, and heaven carried it out. The church can discipline, but it in now way has the same power that was given to the apostles for the purpose of establishing the church.

So no, the church did not exist in the Old Testament. It came into existence on the day of Pentecost. And the rock upon which it was built was the same faith presented by Peter, when he stated that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. The church was not built on Peter, as the Catholics claim, it was built on faith in Christ, as Christ is the foundation.
 
Hebrews 12:23 "23 to the company and assembly of the first-born in heaven enrolled, and to God the judge of all, and to spirits of righteous men made perfect,"
That's the church, the Body of Christ which He is the firstborn 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Col 1:18

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
 
Who is the Holy Nation ?

1 Pet 2:9

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 marvellous light;
You do understand that the books of Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, and Jude are the five Hebraic epistles of the New Testament, correct? They were written to the Jews in the dispersion/diaspora.

"To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, [a]to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure."

Why does he call his audience aliens, residing in these Gentile areas? If he was writing to Gentiles, they wouldn't be aliens in their own land. He is writing to the Jews. So this is addressed to the Jews, not the church of Jews and Gentiles. It specifically speaks to the Remnant of Israel, next to the non-Remnant of Israel.

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may [n]because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of [o]visitation.

So again, we come to the understand that Peter was writing to the Jews as his audience, to the point that he tells them to keep their behavior excellent among the Gentiles.
Many believe this speaks of ethnic national israel over in the middle east, but that is far from the truth. The Holy Nation here is none other than the Body of Christ, the Church comprised of both jew and gentile converts, believers. How do i know this ? Well its by scripture comparison, this same Holy Nation here in 1 Pet 2:9 is called also in Vs 5
You can say what you want, but it is clear who Peter is writing to.
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Its called a Spiritual House which has reference to the Temple/Tabernacle of God of God, which is Spiritual.

Now this same epithet is used for the Church in Eph 2:19-22

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Spiritual House of 1 Pet 2:5 and the Holy Temple/Habitation of God through the Spirit of Eph 2:21,22 are the same !

And if that be so, the Church, comprised of both reconciled jew and gentile converts of Eph 2 is the Holy Nation of 1 Pet 2:9

The fulfillment of Ex 19:6

And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

This isnt replacement theology but fulfillment theology according to the scriptures. 7
On I Peter 2:9
"Having described the state of the non-Remnant, Peter again refers to the Remnant and describes their state in verses 9-10. Verse 9a describes the position of the Israel of God, the Remnant of Israel, using four characteristics. First, based upon Isaiah 43:20, they are an elect race. They are elect because they were chosen by God's own initiative as stated in 2:4,6. Again, Peter is not referring to the Church as a whole. The Curch is not a race of people but is comprised of believers of all races. Nevertheless, the Jewish people are a race in the bliblical sense, and the Jewish believers are the elect race. The second characteristic Peter uses to desribe the Israel of God is that they are a royal priesthood. Verse 5 identifies the Jewish believers as a holy priesthood to emphasize the fact that they have the right to enter the Heavenly Sanctuary. Now, they are called a royal priesthood because Jesus is King and, according to Hebrews 7:1-28, His priesthood is after the Order of Melchizedek. The Melchizedekian Priesthood was a royal priesthood for Melchizedek was both priest and king. Jesus is also both Priest and King. By the same token, Jewish believers are of a royal priesthood. Again, the doctrine of "the priesthood of all believers" is a true doctrine. However, it cannot be supported from this verse that is specifically addressing Jewish believers. Peter's point is that in Exodus 19:6, the nation was called to be a nation of priests; a national priesthood. The nation failed, but the believing Remnant has not failed; they are fulfilling this calling. The third characteristic Peter uses to describe the Israel of God is that they are a holy nation. Israel became a nation at Sinai and became holy through their separation from the whole of humanity. They Jewish believers are distinct from all Israel because they are the believing Remnant. This cannot be said of the Church because the Church is not a nation. In fact, in Romans 9-11, Paul refers to the Church as a non-nation. The Church is comprised of believers from all nations, but the church as an entity is not a nation. The fourth characteristic Peter uses to describe the Israel of God is that they are a people for God's own possession. This statement is based upon Deuteronomy 7:6, 14:2, 26:18; Isaiah 43:21; and Malachi 3:17. Peter identifies them as a people. Through Abraham, the Jews became a people and, during the time of Moses, they became a nation; a nation for God's own possession. Jewish believers were purchased by the blood of Messiah and they uniquely belong to God. Therefore, these four characteristics of Jewish believers distinguish the Remnant from the non-Remnant. (Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G., The Messianic Jewish Epistles Hebrews - James- I & II Peter - Jude, Ariel's Bible Commentary, page 342-343, 2005)
[Emphasis in the original.]

So no, the church of Jewish believers and Gentile believers is NOT the holy nation of I Peter 2:9.
 
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You do understand that the books of Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, and Jude are the five Hebraic epistles of the New Testament, correct? They were written to the Jews in the dispersion/diaspora.
I understand them, you don't. They are written to a Spiritual People. Nothing to do with ethnicity. They are written to the Church, the Body of Christ. Anyone of those books could be read in a Gentile congregation of believers. Peter could have sent his epistles to Cornelius and his circle of believers.
 
I understand them, you don't.
Wow. Let's use Romans for a second and say you judge, yet are guilty of the same.
They are written to a Spiritual People.
Peter gave the audience right off the bat.
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, [This is the person who wrote the book]
To those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, [those in the diaspora from Israel spread throughout these Gentile nations, and thus they are strangers] who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, [a]to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you." [That is, these Jewish exiles are believers in Christ.]

Peter is writing instruction to exiled Jewish believers, scattered through these countries do to the diaspora. God, through Peter, is quite specific.
Nothing to do with ethnicity.
It has much to do with ethnicity. God has not left Jewish believers at the time of Peter, strangers scattered throughout Gentile lands, without support, no matter what you say. Peter, as Paul is also quite specific, is the apostle to the circumcised, to the Jews, while Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles, called to be so by God. And Paul is more than happy to point this out.

"Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, [a]called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power according to the [c]Spirit of holiness [d]by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship [e]to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name,"
They are written to the Church, the Body of Christ.
Read the "envelope" of Peter's letter again
To: those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood
From: Peter
[with all apologies to the mail handler in finding those it is addressed to]

It is VERY specific. In order to properly interpret the book, you have to read it as one of those audience members. It is written to Jews, and therefore is understood from that point of view. It is not written to the church made up of Gentiles and Jews. That was Paul's area, this is Peter. If you don't look at it from the right point of view, you will not, I daresay, cannot properly understand it. And this lack of proper understanding affects how you handle the rest of scripture. [and it shows]
Anyone of those books could be read in a Gentile congregation of believers.
Sure. It wouldn't mean much to them because the issues addressed are not problems the face. You do understand that in writing, each book has a specific purpose, right? Consider Romans. Why is it so large? Why is it so dense in theology and teaching? The best answer is, because he wasn't sure if he was ever going to actually get there. He wrote it and sent it, I believe, a few years before he got a chance to go there. So, since he did not know if he would get to teach them at all, the book is focused on teaching.
Peter could have sent his epistles to Cornelius and his circle of believers.
And they would have sent it back to the return address since they aren't strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

You deny Peter's audience, you deny his purpose, you deny his labors. Yes, we can learn from his book, however you don't learn anything at all when you force your own beliefs upon the book. This is something you have clearly done. Even when given the logic that shows that Peter was speaking of a group of people (God's elect Remnant) out of the nation of Israel, and telling them who they are before God, you usurp what God has given them through Peter, for yourself. The writer I quoted from was clear that there are scriptures that speak of some of this of the church, but... this passage isn't it.

I pass on to you the warning of Paul in the book of Romans.
"17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the [j]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?"

There is plenty to be learned from Peter's epistles, but they were written to the Jews, not to the chruch of Gentiles and Jews. As such, to understand them fully, one must look at it from the view of the audience. One must also always consider that it is ultimately God who wrote these books through Peter, so any point of conention you have is with God.
 
It is so difficult to talk to someone who does not beleive the BIble is the inspired word of God, but solely the opinions of the writers. So much false teachings flow from that. He isn't giving his opinion. He is saying that it is worthless to put any confidence in the flesh, and then states what confidence in the flesh looks like. He counts all of that loss through all that God the Father Himself taught Paul for three years in the wilderness after conversion. Faith is where it is at. The Spiritual life is where it is at.

The seed of Abraham is Jesus, in whom all the nations of the world will be blessed. And that is by faith. So the true seed of Abraham are those Jews and Gentiles who believe in Christ by faith. They are the blessed ones of this promise. That is why Paul discounts the flesh. The flesh is dead, with all its trappings, while the spirit is alive in faith.
Why do you make Hebrews and mixed-race Hebrews like Ishmael and Esau and make them into Gentile?

You interpret "nations" like a 21st century reader. And it doesn't say "world."

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1–3.

God is going to multiply his seed, and it is Abraham's seed that is blessed because of covenant. His seed was to be like the stars in heaven and sand on the seashore. Abraham's family is blessed by virtue of covenant and BEING Abraham's seed. If you think all families of the world were to be blessed, then you have to add Stalin, Hitler, Antichrist in that blessing. According to you Antichrist is blessed of God. Same blessings that were upon Antiochus Epiphanies. That's what you are saying.

Sorry, but ONLY ABRAHAM'S SEED IS BLESSED OF GOD.
 
Wow. Let's use Romans for a second and say you judge, yet are guilty of the same.

Peter gave the audience right off the bat.
"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, [This is the person who wrote the book]
To those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, [those in the diaspora from Israel spread throughout these Gentile nations, and thus they are strangers] who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, [a]to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you." [That is, these Jewish exiles are believers in Christ.]

Peter is writing instruction to exiled Jewish believers, scattered through these countries do to the diaspora. God, through Peter, is quite specific.

It has much to do with ethnicity. God has not left Jewish believers at the time of Peter, strangers scattered throughout Gentile lands, without support, no matter what you say. Peter, as Paul is also quite specific, is the apostle to the circumcised, to the Jews, while Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles, called to be so by God. And Paul is more than happy to point this out.

"Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, [a]called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power according to the [c]Spirit of holiness [d]by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship [e]to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name,"

Read the "envelope" of Peter's letter again
To: those who reside as strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood
From: Peter
[with all apologies to the mail handler in finding those it is addressed to]

It is VERY specific. In order to properly interpret the book, you have to read it as one of those audience members. It is written to Jews, and therefore is understood from that point of view. It is not written to the church made up of Gentiles and Jews. That was Paul's area, this is Peter. If you don't look at it from the right point of view, you will not, I daresay, cannot properly understand it. And this lack of proper understanding affects how you handle the rest of scripture. [and it shows]

Sure. It wouldn't mean much to them because the issues addressed are not problems the face. You do understand that in writing, each book has a specific purpose, right? Consider Romans. Why is it so large? Why is it so dense in theology and teaching? The best answer is, because he wasn't sure if he was ever going to actually get there. He wrote it and sent it, I believe, a few years before he got a chance to go there. So, since he did not know if he would get to teach them at all, the book is focused on teaching.

And they would have sent it back to the return address since they aren't strangers, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.

You deny Peter's audience, you deny his purpose, you deny his labors. Yes, we can learn from his book, however you don't learn anything at all when you force your own beliefs upon the book. This is something you have clearly done. Even when given the logic that shows that Peter was speaking of a group of people (God's elect Remnant) out of the nation of Israel, and telling them who they are before God, you usurp what God has given them through Peter, for yourself. The writer I quoted from was clear that there are scriptures that speak of some of this of the church, but... this passage isn't it.

I pass on to you the warning of Paul in the book of Romans.
"17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the [j]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 See then the kindness and severity of God: to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; for otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?"

There is plenty to be learned from Peter's epistles, but they were written to the Jews, not to the chruch of Gentiles and Jews. As such, to understand them fully, one must look at it from the view of the audience. One must also always consider that it is ultimately God who wrote these books through Peter, so any point of conention you have is with God.
You trusting in the flesh, ethnicity. The seed is born of God, its Spiritual
 
So, you want to separate Jesus from Israel now?

Heresy.
You trusting in the flesh, blood Jn 1;13

13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Which were born not of blood,.... Or bloods, in the plural number. The birth, here spoken of, is regeneration, expressed by a being born again, or from above; by a being quickened by the Spirit and grace of God; by Christ being formed in men; and by a partaking of the divine nature; and by being made new creatures, as all that believe in the name of Christ are; and which is the evidence of their being the sons of God: and now this is owing not to blood, or bloods; not to the blood of circumcision; or of the passover, which the Jews had an high opinion of, and ascribe life and salvation to, and to which notion this may be opposed: so their commentators (f) on Ezekiel 16:6 where the word "live" is twice used, observe on the first "live", by the blood of the passover, on the second "live", by the blood of circumcision; but, alas! these contribute nothing to the life of the new creature: nor is regeneration owing to the blood of ancestors, to natural descent, as from Abraham, which the Jews valued themselves upon; for sin, and not grace, is conveyed by natural generation: all men are of one blood, and that is tainted with sin, and therefore can never have any influence on regeneration; no blood is to be valued, or any one upon it, but the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin,
 
Why do you make Hebrews and mixed-race Hebrews like Ishmael and Esau and make them into Gentile?
God specifically separated them from Israel. They are not Hebrew at all. Edomite, not Hebrew. Muslim?/Arab?/Palestinian? not Hebrew. Not mixed race. That is NOT how God handled it.
You interpret "nations" like a 21st century reader. And it doesn't say "world."
"15 Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your [f]seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand, which is on the seashore; and your [g]seed shall possess the gate of [h]their enemies. 18 And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall [j]be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” "

Israel is a nation, hence it is called a nation. Hence, scripture says that Israel was to be a nation (singular) of priests. They are a holy nation (singular). Nations is just as it sounds. Israel was surrounded by... nations. And it says:

"15 Then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, 16 and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your [f]seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand, which is on the seashore; and your [g]seed shall possess the gate of [h]their enemies. 18 And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall [j]be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” "

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12:1–3.
The word form for Earth in the promises to Abraham means the whole planet, and not a part.
God is going to multiply his seed, and it is Abraham's seed that is blessed because of covenant. His seed was to be like the stars in heaven and sand on the seashore. Abraham's family is blessed by virtue of covenant and BEING Abraham's seed.
This is not completely correct. Yes, the physical blessings/promises of the covenants and promises belong to the Jews and Jews along. (mixed race included.) However, the spiritual blessings in the promises made to Abraham, dealing with Abraham's faith, is for both Jews (mixed race included), and non-Jewish Gentiles. However, no covenant in the Old Testament offers salvation. Even Paul says the Mosaic covenant existed (the Law) to make people sin more. To increase trespass. To bring sin to light. There is no salvation in the Law, only death. (See Romans.) In fact, Paul asked if the Jews knew that they would be judged by those who do not have the Law. Paul's point is those that followed the Law while not having the Law (non-Jewish Gentiles) will judge those who have the Law (Jews) but failed to keep it.

Jews do not have salvation because they are Jews. Paul is so clear on this point. He even prayed to himself be anathema (accursed) if it meant the salvation of his countrymen. Read Romans 3.

"
21 But now apart [p]from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the [q]Law and the Prophets, 22 but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [r]who believe; for there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God displayed publicly as a [t]propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, [v]because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; 26 for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who [w]has faith in Jesus.

27 Where then is boasting? It has been excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 [x]For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from works [y]of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the [z]circumcised [aa]by faith and the [ab]uncircumcised through faith is one."

Please tell me where Paul said ANYTHING about the covenant in verse 30? There is one common denominator for the Jew (the circumcised), and the non-Jewish Gentile (the uncircumcised) and that is FAITH.

If you think all families of the world were to be blessed, then you have to add Stalin, Hitler, Antichrist in that blessing. According to you Antichrist is blessed of God. Same blessings that were upon Antiochus Epiphanies. That's what you are saying.
If you think all fimailies of the world were to be blessed, and you understand the pormise to say that evil people have to be added, you don't get it. That's what you are saying. You just don't get it. That is not what God was saying. What did God say?
" And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall [j]be blessed"

You left out IN YOUR SEED. IN CHRIST all the nations of the earth shall be blessed. So, those who are in Christ of all the nations of the Earth are blessed. That does not include the people you mentioned. That is just like the blessings of Israel. It is not for all Jews, but for the Remnant of God's chosen Jews in Israel. The promise God made to bless the nations of the world in Christ is that the promise is fulfilled and blesses those of FAITH in Christ. Those are the one's who are in Abraham's seed. Faith is the key word, and the key understanding.

Sorry, but ONLY ABRAHAM'S SEED IS BLESSED OF GOD.
So only Jesus is blessed? (Seed is SINGULAR, as the writer of Hebrews (or was it Paul in Roman's) was very precise in pointing out. And, it is only the spiritual blessings of the promises to Abraham that the non-Jewish Gentile believers partake in. They do not partake in the physical promises/blessings of the Abrahamic covenant. That is for Israel/Jews and in that the Remnant of Israel/Jews alone. Not to mention Abraham, who will actually be a live to see God's fulfillment of the covenant made with him. With the dead in Christ rising during the rapture, Abraham will be very much alive to see it.

Do you know why Jesus isn't a priest of Israel in the line of Levi, or of the house of Aaron? Because... if He was a priest of Israel, then His intercession would only be for Israel. JEsus is a priest of the line of Melchizedek, and not of the DEAD line of Israel. Priestly ascension (becoming a priest) in Israel happened on the dead bodies of other priests. That is, one became priest when another died. In the line of Melchizedek, Jesus is a priest FOREVER. There is no death in that line. Jesus is not going to die, and someone else take HIs place. The other thing is... Melchizedek was a priest of God to the world. Hence even Abraham paid homage to Melchizedek, and even gave him 10% of the spoils he took when rescuing Lot. That is a lot, ahem, to give for Lot. It actually was a lot given the times. So Jesus is a priest, and intecessor, in the line of Melchizedek, which mean that He intercedes for the WORLD, not just Israel. However, as King... that is solely Israel as He is king in the line of David. It is important to know that no king in Israel could also be priest. However, Jesus isn't a priest of any Jewish line.

So, don't worry about whether or not you have any Jewish ancestry. If you truly meant what you said about your salvation in that other comment you wrote some days ago... if you truly meant it, then, you are saved by faith. You are saved because of the faith Abraham presented by which God proclaimed the gospel in saying that in Christ all the nations of the Earth will be blessed. While it is speaking of groups, it's impact is on the individual. If you are in Christ by faith, then you are, by God's promise to Abraham, blessed. You have salvation. If you aren't Jewish, don't bother looking for land for sales in Canaan. It isn't yours. That land belongs to Abraham and his physical descendants who are also his spiritual descendants. (So the remnant of Israel.)

Consider the FACT that King David was a mixed race Jew, as was his father. His great grandmother was a Moabitess. You know, a non-Jewish Gentile. So, was David one of those mixed race Jews who are thus not included in the covenant?
 
You trusting in the flesh, ethnicity. The seed is born of God, its Spiritual
How can you still fail to understand. The covenant was made with Abraham and was for his physical descendants. However, Paul makes it even more clear that it is not just those who are Abraham's physical descendants, but those who are ALSO spiritual descendants of Abraham. The remnant of Israel, God's elect in Israel are the one's who will see the covenant fulfilled, along with Abraham himself.

The seed of Abraham's promise (not covenant) is Jesus as is explained in the New Testament. In Jesus, the nations of the Earth (understood to mean the whole Earth and not part), will be blessed, because of Abraham's belief/faith. And, Paul takes his time in Romans tearing this apart in saying that the faith that saved Abraham, that was credited as righteousness, came before his circumcision. Paul underscores this for those he are writing to are mostly uncircumcised. (The Jews had been kicked out of Rome, so most of the church was Gentile, with only some Jews who had returned back to Rome by the time Paul wrote.)

Salvation is by faith in Christ. However, the part that you are having difficulty understanding is... what about God's covenants and promises with Abraham, the forefathers, and Israel? Did God just say, whatever, and break them all at once, or did he just break the ones you say he broke? Perhaps I am right in saying God doesn't violate/break covenants and promises? Who is right? Are you right, and God is unfaithful to His own word, or am I right, and God is faithful, and will do all that He has said?

Israel (the remnant elect) will partake in the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant along with Abraham. This has nothing to do with salvation. This is about God finally fulfilling the land promises where Israel takes all God promised Abraham, it is eternal (so there will no longer ever be a time Israel is NOT in the land, and Jesus Kingdom will be in Jerusalem and will be over all Israel possesses, and the rest of the world as well. The kingdom is not Jewish (as someone said I believe), it is, quite explicitly, Messianic. It fulfills promises God made to David and his descendants. And again, I believe God will fulfill everything He has said, even if I don't understand how to the fullest extend.

Again, consider Abraham sacrificing Isaac. Why didn't Abraham flinch? Why didn't he give pause for a moment to think about it? Because He so trusted God fully in faith, that He would stand there before Isaac's dead body, look at God and say, "Well, get on with it. Raise him up from the dead already." Abraham had not doubt, not even the slightest, that God would fulfill His covenants and promises, and God specifically stated that it would be through Isaac. So Isaac could not die and remain dead, or God fails. Abraham never even considered the possibility of God failing. God had already done what Abraham and Sarah considered impossible. Abraham never knew God would stop him. He was ready to go the whole way.
 
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