The "Israel of God": Who are they?

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

justbyfaith

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2018
21,740
4,114
113
51
San Pedro
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
John 8, I think is what you are referring to.

There, Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees children of the devil, not because they claim to be sons of Abraham, but because they are going about to kill Him, a Man who told them what He heard from God.
 

HARK!

Active Member
May 17, 2020
248
35
28
Texas
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
chapter and verse?

John 8

37 I am aware that you are Abraham's seed. But you are seeking to kill Me, for My word has no room in you." 38 What I have seen with My Father am I speaking. You also, then, what you hear from your father are doing." 39 They answered and say to Him, "Our father is Abraham.Jesus answered them, "If you are children of Abraham, did you ever do the works of Abraham? 40 Yet now you are seeking to kill Me, a Man Who has spoken to you the truth which I hear from God. This Abraham does not do." 41 Yet you are doing the works of your father.They say to Him, "We were not born of prostitution! One Father have we, God!" 42 Jesus, then, said to them, "If God were your Father, you would have loved Me. For out of God I came forth and am arriving. For neither have I come of Myself, but He commissions Me." 43 Wherefore do you not know My speech? Seeing that you can not hear My word. 44 You are of your father, the Adversary, and the desires of your father you are wanting to do. He was a man-killer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, for truth is not in him. Whenever he may be speaking a lie, he is speaking of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it."
 

HARK!

Active Member
May 17, 2020
248
35
28
Texas
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
There, Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees children of the devil, not because they claim to be sons of Abraham, but because they are going about to kill Him, a Man who told them what He heard from God.

I didn't imply that their claiming their blood lineage was the reason for Yahshua calling them sons of Satan. The point was that obviously the blood lineage did not make them children of Abraham. Hopefully you can see my point about the ambiguity of the word Jew. What does it mean? Obviously Jews are not necessarily Yahudim (YHWH's people).
 
  • Like
Reactions: michaelvpardo

Tong2020

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2020
4,854
848
113
*
Faith
Christian
Country
Philippines
Let me share to you the following about Israel.

Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; 5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.

They are the seed of Abraham, through Isaac, through Jacob, and through the 12 children of Jacob, and so forth. Let's refer to them here as simply "Israelites".

Romans 9:6 But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, 7 nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” 8 That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.

Paul says in Romans 9:6 that they are not all Israel, which are of Israel. That means not all Israelites are the Israel that God had chosen. Paul moved on to further identify Israel, saying that they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God, but the children of the promise. So, the chosen Israel of God, which Paul refers to as the children of God, are not the children of the flesh, or in other words, not necessarily the Israelites by human birth, not ethnic Israel.

Who then are the Israel of God, the children of God, the chosen people of God, whom according to Paul, in Romans 9, are the children of promise?

Paul gives us the answer in Gal. 4:28.

Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

According to scriptures, the Christians, that is, are children of promise, as Isaac was, born according to the Spirit.

These children of promise, who are the children of God (Rom. 9:8), who are the chosen people of God, are the Israel of God spoken by Paul in Galatians 6:16.

Tong
R0478
 
Last edited:

BARNEY BRIGHT

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2017
4,032
1,119
113
67
Thomaston Georgia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
These who are the Israel of God are the anointed, the true anointed church of God, that God has chosen. The first and foremost of the anointed is The True God Jehovah Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ who The True God Jehovah has given him immortality and who has inherited incorruption and who Jehovah God has subjected all authorities and powers and everything in heaven and on earth subject to his Only Begotten Son with exception of himself for Jehovah God is above all including his Only Begotten Son. The True God Jehovah also chooses those from humanity who will be given immortality and inherit incorruption and be in heaven with his Only Begotten Son in heaven in that heavenly Messianic kingdom ruling over the Earth. These are the anointed of God the true church that Jehovah God who's working through his Only Begotten Son Jesus who in turn is working with the true church to accomplish the purposes of saving righteous or faithful mankind and progressively given the anointed on Earth today more spiritual light concerning the truth about The True God Jehovah and his Only Begotten Son Jesus and Jehovah's purposes concerning planet Earth and righteous or faithful mankind.
 

justbyfaith

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2018
21,740
4,114
113
51
San Pedro
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
All those who believe in Jesus Christ will go to heaven (Colossians 1:5, 1 Peter 1:4).
 

brightfame52

Well-Known Member
Oct 16, 2020
3,835
336
83
66
Atlanta
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Hello @Tong2020,

Thank you for sharing.

With respect, this thread is of your making, and the question, 'The Israel of God? Who are they?' is yours not mine. For I have no problem with this term, 'the Israel of God', only with the way it is used by some: for there are those who use it to deny that Israel has any further part in the purpose of God; and that the Church has taken it's place. I have no problem either in understanding the verses you have quoted, but they do not validate the use of this term in regard to any other company than that stated, 'The Israel of God'. It should be allowed to stand alone, and not be adulterated by our reasoning, or used to mean something of our own devising.

The fact is that there are two categories mentioned in Galatians 6:16, Those who
‘walk according to this rule’ (referring to:-Galatians 6:12-15), and ‘the Israel of God’, and for both categories Paul desires peace and mercy. I believe that ‘the Israel of God’ are those believing Israelites at Jerusalem, from among whom the 'false brethren' (Galatians 2:4) who were disturbing the Gentile believers at Galatia came (Acts 15:24 & Acts 15:5). Paul wished the same peace and mercy upon his believing brethren in Jerusalem, who were 'the Israel of God.' This does no injustice to the context, and reflects the mind of Paul in regard to his believing brethren in Jerusalem spoken of in Galatians chapter one and two.

Praise God!

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Then you are saying that Salvation through Christ is based upon ethnicity ! Thats in essence God showing respect of persons based upon ethnicity, thats not right !
 
  • Like
Reactions: APAK

brightfame52

Well-Known Member
Oct 16, 2020
3,835
336
83
66
Atlanta
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
These who are the Israel of God are the anointed, the true anointed church of God, that God has chosen. The first and foremost of the anointed is The True God Jehovah Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ who The True God Jehovah has given him immortality and who has inherited incorruption and who Jehovah God has subjected all authorities and powers and everything in heaven and on earth subject to his Only Begotten Son with exception of himself for Jehovah God is above all including his Only Begotten Son. The True God Jehovah also chooses those from humanity who will be given immortality and inherit incorruption and be in heaven with his Only Begotten Son in heaven in that heavenly Messianic kingdom ruling over the Earth. These are the anointed of God the true church that Jehovah God who's working through his Only Begotten Son Jesus who in turn is working with the true church to accomplish the purposes of saving righteous or faithful mankind and progressively given the anointed on Earth today more spiritual light concerning the truth about The True God Jehovah and his Only Begotten Son Jesus and Jehovah's purposes concerning planet Earth and righteous or faithful mankind.
Interesting, Do you believe that Jehovah God the Father and the Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ are Co Equal in the Divine Essence and Godhead and that the Son also is very Jehovah as is the Father ?
 

Taken

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Encounter Team
Feb 6, 2018
24,509
12,925
113
United States
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The "Israel of God": Who are they?
OP ^


IMO - the Israel of God, has always been Gods people called: "ISRAEL"...OT Covenant.

The People of God, for 2,000+ years has been Gods people ("THROUGH" Christ ) called: "Converted IN CHRIST"...NT Covenant.



Gal 6:
[16] And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

They: ISRAEL
(Who walk according to THIS RULE)
* peace and mercy UPON them

"and"
They: CONVERTED IN CHRIST
(Who walk according to THIS RULE)
* peace BE ON them

WHAT RULE?
* NEW CREATURE
ON NEW Creature, hangs the knowledge...
(Foreskin circumcision avails nothing.)
(OT Laws avails nothing.)
* NEW CREATURE...is Heart Circumcision, performed by Gods Works.

* a man having OBTAINED...New Creature Status....PEACE "ON" him Presently.
* a man faultering, but following OT, circumcision, laws....ALSO TO HIM...IS:
PEACE "and" MERCY...UPON him Expectation.

Gal 6
[13] For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
[14] But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
[15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
 

BARNEY BRIGHT

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2017
4,032
1,119
113
67
Thomaston Georgia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Interesting, Do you believe that Jehovah God the Father and the Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ are Co Equal in the Divine Essence and Godhead and that the Son also is very Jehovah as is the Father ?

I don't believe in the Trinity if that's what's you're asking me, so no, I don't believe Jehovah God who is Jesus Father and God and Jesus Christ who is Jehovah's Only Begotten Son are co-equal in Divine Essence and Godhead and no I don't believe Jesus is Jehovah.
 

Truther

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2019
10,295
1,479
113
62
Lodi
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I don't believe in the Trinity if that's what's you're asking me, so no, I don't believe Jehovah God who is Jesus Father and God and Jesus Christ who is Jehovah's Only Begotten Son are co-equal in Divine Essence and Godhead and no I don't believe Jesus is Jehovah.
You believe Jesus Christ is an angel. You believe he is Satan’s brother. Oh boy
 

BARNEY BRIGHT

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2017
4,032
1,119
113
67
Thomaston Georgia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
You believe Jesus Christ is an angel. You believe he is Satan’s brother. Oh boy

Since The Only True God is the only person without a beginning, then the Only Begotten Son of God had a beginning (Revelation 3:14; Colossians 1:15), and at 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the command of Jesus for the resurrection to begin is described as "the archangel's call" and Jude 9 says that the archangel is Michael, so I believe Jesus to be the Archangel Michael, but not Satan's brother as you're saying. Archangel means, "chief of the angels," and this word archangel is only in two verses of scripture and in both verses archangel is used in the singular. There is no where in scripture that says there is another archangel so since the two cases that the word archangel is used, that means there's only one archangel and his name is Michael.

The scriptures show that Michael commands a army of angels when it says: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon,” Satan. Revelation 12:7.

Michael has great authority in the spirit realm, for he is called “one of the foremost princes” and “the great prince.” Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1. This means Michael is the “commander-in-chief of the angelic forces.
The Bible mentions only one other person having authority over an army of angels. It describes “the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7,8; Matthew 16:27.
Jesus “went to heaven, and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him.” 1 Peter 3:21,22
It doesn't make sense to me for God to set up Jesus and Michael as rival commanders of the holy angels. It makes more sense to conclude that both names, Jesus and Michael, refer to the same person, the Only Begotten Son of God.
The scriptures at Daniel 12:1 say that Michael will stand up during an unprecedented time of distress.
In the book of Daniel, the expression “stand up” is often used to refer to a king who rises up to take special action. Daniel 11:2-4,22. Jesus Christ, identified as “The Word of God,” will take special action as the “King of kings” to strike down all of God’s enemies and protect God’s people. Revelation 19:11-16.
He will do so during a time of “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning.” Matthew 24:21,42
I don't believe these scriptures are talking about two separate person's but the same person, the Only Begotten Son of God.
The Bible refers to other persons by multiple names, people such as Jacob who was also called Israel, Peter who was also called Simon, and Thaddaeus who was also called Judas. Genesis 49:1,2; Matthew 10:2,3; Mark 3:18; Acts 1:13.
 

brightfame52

Well-Known Member
Oct 16, 2020
3,835
336
83
66
Atlanta
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I don't believe in the Trinity if that's what's you're asking me, so no, I don't believe Jehovah God who is Jesus Father and God and Jesus Christ who is Jehovah's Only Begotten Son are co-equal in Divine Essence and Godhead and no I don't believe Jesus is Jehovah.
Okay gotcha, just as i thought, you confirmed it.
 

Truther

Well-Known Member
Dec 2, 2019
10,295
1,479
113
62
Lodi
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Since The Only True God is the only person without a beginning, then the Only Begotten Son of God had a beginning (Revelation 3:14; Colossians 1:15), and at 1 Thessalonians 4:16 the command of Jesus for the resurrection to begin is described as "the archangel's call" and Jude 9 says that the archangel is Michael, so I believe Jesus to be the Archangel Michael, but not Satan's brother as you're saying. Archangel means, "chief of the angels," and this word archangel is only in two verses of scripture and in both verses archangel is used in the singular. There is no where in scripture that says there is another archangel so since the two cases that the word archangel is used, that means there's only one archangel and his name is Michael.

The scriptures show that Michael commands a army of angels when it says: Michael and his angels battled with the dragon,” Satan. Revelation 12:7.

Michael has great authority in the spirit realm, for he is called “one of the foremost princes” and “the great prince.” Daniel 10:13,21; 12:1. This means Michael is the “commander-in-chief of the angelic forces.
The Bible mentions only one other person having authority over an army of angels. It describes “the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7,8; Matthew 16:27.
Jesus “went to heaven, and angels and authorities and powers were made subject to him.” 1 Peter 3:21,22
It doesn't make sense to me for God to set up Jesus and Michael as rival commanders of the holy angels. It makes more sense to conclude that both names, Jesus and Michael, refer to the same person, the Only Begotten Son of God.
The scriptures at Daniel 12:1 say that Michael will stand up during an unprecedented time of distress.
In the book of Daniel, the expression “stand up” is often used to refer to a king who rises up to take special action. Daniel 11:2-4,22. Jesus Christ, identified as “The Word of God,” will take special action as the “King of kings” to strike down all of God’s enemies and protect God’s people. Revelation 19:11-16.
He will do so during a time of “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning.” Matthew 24:21,42
I don't believe these scriptures are talking about two separate person's but the same person, the Only Begotten Son of God.
The Bible refers to other persons by multiple names, people such as Jacob who was also called Israel, Peter who was also called Simon, and Thaddaeus who was also called Judas. Genesis 49:1,2; Matthew 10:2,3; Mark 3:18; Acts 1:13.
Is "Jesus", Michael's nickname?
 

BARNEY BRIGHT

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2017
4,032
1,119
113
67
Thomaston Georgia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Okay gotcha, just as i thought, you confirmed it.
Yeah whatever gotcha means, but I'll always believe that it was the Only-Begotten Son of God who became human in the likeness of the first man Adam and that it was the Only Begotten Son of God that died for mankind and that it was the Only Begotten Son of God that God resurrected three days after his death. No one will teach me different.
 

BARNEY BRIGHT

Well-Known Member
Oct 29, 2017
4,032
1,119
113
67
Thomaston Georgia
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Okay gotcha, just as i thought, you confirmed it.

I've always said that I believe Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God, meaning that the Word is the Only Begotten Son of God and that when the scripture says that the Word became flesh(human) the scripture is saying the Only-Begotten Son of God became flesh(human). People can try all they want to convince me that it wasn't the Only Begotten Son of God who became human and came to mankind and died for mankind but they will fail in their attempt.
 

marks

Well-Known Member
Oct 10, 2018
33,156
21,420
113
SoCal USA
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Let me share to you the following about Israel.

Jeremiah 31:33-37 KJV
33) But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34) And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
35) Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
36) If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
37) Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:19-21 KJV
19) And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying,
20) Thus saith the LORD; If ye can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season;
21) Then may also my covenant be broken with David my servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, my ministers.

I believe these will be fulfilled.

Much love!