"Replacement Theology", A Misnomer Label

[veteran]

By definition "Replacement Theology" is a label for the concept that the Christian Church has replaced national Israel involving God's Promises. In reality that label is a misnomer. It's a seminary label designed to create a non-existing separation between God's concept of Israel and believers on His Son Jesus Christ.

Obviously, God's concept of His Israel is not the same idea as theirs, otherwise Apostle Paul would never have taught in Ephesians 2 and Galatians 3 that those of Faith like faithful Abraham have inherited the covenants and promises to Israel and have become "the children of Abraham." In the Ephesians 2:11-13 Scripture, Apostle Paul called this idea the "commonwealth of Israel", which includes believing Gentiles in Christ who once were foreigners far off from the Promises.

Eph 2:11-13
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
(KJV)

I realize many brethren in Christ today have not studied what all is contained in God's Promises to Abraham at the first which those in Christ Jesus have inherited along with faithful Abraham. Many label this as the "Abrahamic Covenant" with trying to separate God's Birthright promises to Israel away from the Christian Church, which is not possible. Here is why...

The Promise to Abraham by Faith has always... been part of God's Birthright Promises to Israel. Let me say that again. God's Birthright Promises to Israel always involve His Salvation Plan of The Gospel of Jesus Christ for those who believe. Those who remain in unbelief simply are... cut off from the Promises.

1 Chr 5:1-2
1 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.
2 For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)
(KJV)

This "birthright" mentioned there is not just a simple passing down of belongings to the eldest son. This "birthright" is about the inheritance of God's Promises first passed down through Abraham. Yes, that's right, it includes... the Promise by Faith which some call the Abrahamic Covenant, which they also try to separate apart from the rest of the Promises God gave to Israel.

The only way the Bible student will realize I'm on the up-and-up about this is by starting with noting what all God's Promises to Abraham were about, and how those same Promises were then passed onto Abraham's son Isaac, then to his son Jacob which God named Israel, and then to Jacob's son Joseph, and finally to Joseph's two sons Ephraim and Manasseh where God's Birthright Promises still exist today with the fulfillment of the Genesis 48 prophecy that Ephraim would become "a multitude of nations" (which means Israelite nations by the way, since Jacob said for his name Israel to be named upon Joseph's two sons).

Gal 3:16-18
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
(KJV)

Did you catch what Apostle Paul said there above? To Abraham AND his seed were the Promises made. That of course means to Abraham and... to the seed of Israel. So Paul is not talking about the Faith on The Gospel only with those "promises". They include God's Birthright Promises to Israel, and not involving the law given through Moses.

The Birthright Promises is what God gave to Abraham at the first, and has always involved The Gospel of Faith on Jesus Christ. Even in Genesis 14, Melchizedek king of Salem and priest of The Most High God met Abraham and blessed him, and offered him bread and wine, which are sacrements of the New Covenant that Abraham was first promised by Faith. At the end of John 8 our Lord Jesus revealed that Abraham saw His day, and was glad. That shows Abraham knew Christ in Old Testament times, even as Christ visited him per Genesis 18 at his tent door. Thus Abraham knew of the New Covenant that would come through Christ Jesus, only that he just didn't get to live to the time to see it fulfilled.

Per the prophecy in Genesis 49:10, Judah was to keep the part of God's Birthright involving the royal sceptre rule, and caretaker of God's law, all the way up to Christ's second coming. But the rest of God's Promises went to Joseph and thus his two sons per 1 Chron.5. Even in the Christian West that's still how it is today. If you only... look at the nation of Israel in the middleast today, you will not... see these Birthright Promises to Abraham that wound upon Joseph's two sons. You will instead see specific prophecies fulfilled God gave only to the "house of Judah" with the Israelite nation in the middleast. Yet God told Jacob that He would make of him "a nation, and a company of nations" (Gen.35:11).

So where have those "company of nations" of Jacob's seed that God promised him? It's easy to know the "a nation" part means the nation of Israel in the middleast, but what of that "company of nations" part which of course means more than one Israelite nation?

Look at the Christian West where after the passion of Christ The Gospel was preached in power and took hold of the majority in Asia Minor and Europe to form the western Christian nations of history. Christian kings and queens were established upon thrones there while no king of Judah has existed on a throne in Jerusalem since God brought its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in Jeremiah the prophet's days. That is where you will find God's Promises to Abraham and to the seed of Israel even to this present day, through Christ's Church.

It is sad that many brethren fail to understand all this, especially since Christ's enemies well understand it and is why the Christian nations have been their specific target for many centuries.

 

[Angelina]

For the purpose of having a balanced view on this theology, it is important that readers to take a look at the other side of this coin - from the viewpoint of the Messianic, Jewish community perspective.

http://www.biblestudyproject.org/israel3-1-replacement-theology-messianic.htm

 

[Prentis]

In Christ we are made one. It is not that the Jews are replaced, it is that the promises are to Christ and those in Him. The Jews were invited first, then the Gentiles. We are called to be united in Him, grafted into the same vine. All the first 'Christians' were Jews, though it was a little time until they called themselves that.

In Christ we have a new and better covenant. The Jews are called from the old to the better, and the new covenant, which is built on the old. Through Christ, the Gentiles are granted repentance and an opportunity to enter into the new covenant also.

We are one in Him.

 

[veteran]

For the purpose of having a balanced view on this theology, it is important that readers to take a look at the other side of this coin - from the viewpoint of the Messianic, Jewish community perspective.

http://www.biblestudyproject.org/israel3-1-replacement-theology-messianic.htm

I went to that link, and I disagree with some of their premises:

1. they claim a Bible-based definition of "Jew" is simply a bloodline descendent of the patriarchs of Israel when the term is more specific than that per The Bible, and per history.

a. It is true that bloodline descendents of Judah are descendents of the patriarchs of Israel. But there's more info within Scripture and Bible history involving that matter. The Jewish historian Josephus said the title of Jew originated from the sole tribe of Judah, and that all of the remnant that returned to Jerusalem from the 70 years Babylon captivity took that title of Jew (Antiquities Of The Jews, Book XI, Chapter 5, Sec.7, by Flavius Josephus, from Project Gutenberg). Ezra 2 defined just who those were returning, a very small remnant of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and then later a remnant of Levites with them (Ezra 8).

b. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin were separated from the greater part of Israelites per 1 Kings 11 forward; this was by The LORD's hand Himself (1 Kings 12:21). The 3 tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi became joined into one house, called the "house of Judah" in God's Word. The rest of the tribes of Israel, ten, living in the north, became joined together in their own house called the "house of Israel" as written in God's Word.

c. Per the Bible history that followed after Israel's split into two separate kingdoms, the two houses had war against each other. The first captivity was that of the "house of Israel", the ten northern tribes. Josephus in his Antiquities Of The Jews shows history of the Jews being separate from the other ten tribes who were scattered earlier, and not included in Judah's 70 years Babylon captivity nor return to Jerusalem.

d. The rest of the "house of Judah" (tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi), the majority of that house even, did not return to Jerusalem after the 70 years Babylon captivity. This history is written both in God's Word and in Jospehus' Antiquities Of The Jews. This majority of the house of Judah was further scattered through the nations, and it is these that make up the Jews among the nations we have historically been most familiar with.

Conclusion: - the title of Jew does not... apply to all bloodline Israelites, not according to God's Word, and not according to Josephus' histories of the Jews. It only applies historically and Biblically to the sole tribe of Judah where the name originated, and then included the tribes of Benjamin and Levi (and the strangers with them) and not to any of the other tribes of Israel. This is why most Jewish rabbi today either interpret the ten lost tribes as truly lost and no more, or as still existing under different heritages among the Gentiles to be gathered back in Israel in final. I challenge anyone's denial of this history per both God's Word and Josephus' Antiquities Of The Jews.

From that link also, they make this statement, which of course is false:

"The second is found perhaps exclusively in messianic circles and has to do with the claim that all believers are actually descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whether they know it or not, and comes under the heading of the The Two-House or Ephraimite Doctrine."


I am a firm believer on what God's Word declares about the split of old Israel by God, into two separate kingdoms, also known as two separate houses in God's Word.

I Kings 12:21-24
21 And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel, to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon.
22 But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying,
23 "Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
24 Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from Me." They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.
25 Then Jeroboam built Shechem in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel.

In the last verse, Jeroboam was of the tribe of Ephraim and Solomon had previously set him as head over the ten northern tribes of Israel prior to this event (1 Kings 11). God would then give the ten tribes to Jeroboam and the northern tribes then made Jeroboam king over Israel, which of course excluded the "house of Judah" in the south at Judea who's king was Solomon's son Rehoboam. Thus one born of the tribe of Ephraim became the head over the northern ten tribed "house of Israel".

Because of that Scripture evidence just there, one can well know that anyone who denies that as written is not staying within God's Word as written about the two separate houses.

I could go on and on revealing the actual Bible proof of this matter in contrast to many wrongful ideas from that link.

In Christ we are made one. It is not that the Jews are replaced, it is that the promises are to Christ and those in Him. The Jews were invited first, then the Gentiles. We are called to be united in Him, grafted into the same vine. All the first 'Christians' were Jews, though it was a little time until they called themselves that.

In Christ we have a new and better covenant. The Jews are called from the old to the better, and the new covenant, which is built on the old. Through Christ, the Gentiles are granted repentance and an opportunity to enter into the new covenant also.

We are one in Him.

I think many in the Messianic community are confused about that, because some of the "crept in unawares" among them are preventing them from seeing that as written in God's Word.

I really don't hold to ideas like "Replacement Theology", yet that is exactly the idea I'm accused of when I even mention the idea of two separates houses written in God's Word, and the idea that those of Faith have become the "children of Abraham" like Apostle Paul said.

This particular Scripture from Apostle Paul to the Galatians I did not see that Messianic link address:
Gal 3:5-9
5 He therefore That ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth He it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed."
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
(KJV)

If there is no such idea as a spiritual seed by Faith like those Messianics think, then it would mean the believing Gentile has no Salvation through Christ Jesus. There is NO other way to interpret Apostle Paul's "... they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham."

 

[Prentis]

Yes. I do not like the name "replacement theology" because it conveys the wrong idea. It is not that anyone is replacing anyone. Rather it is that all have been called into a new covenant of oneness with God through Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile.

The wall of separation has been torn down and we are made one new man (the body) in Christ Jesus.

 

[veteran]

Yes. I do not like the name "replacement theology" because it conveys the wrong idea. It is not that anyone is replacing anyone. Rather it is that all have been called into a new covenant of oneness with God through Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile.

The wall of separation has been torn down and we are made one new man (the body) in Christ Jesus.

Yes, and this is why I continually warn for brethren to be careful of such seminary type labels and terms, which I call doctrines of men, like within this statement below...


"The second is found perhaps exclusively in messianic circles and has to do with the claim that all believers are actually descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whether they know it or not, and comes under the heading of the The Two-House or Ephraimite Doctrine."


Anyone who does a minimal Bible study about the split of Israel in 1 & 2 Kings and the OT prophets will easly discover about the existence of Israel after the split into two separate houses, to include a different title for each house. And with the "house of Israel", the leader from the tribe of Ephraim that Solomon had setup became king over the house of Israel (ten tribes) by God's Hand.

So what those Messianics at that link have tried to do is associate the "Replacement Theology" label with the "The Two-House or Ephaimite Doctrine" labels, and that in hopes that one will be persuaded to not believe anyone who covers what I did in my OP. This is why one must always be wary men's doctrinal labels with how they are used and what all they pretend to supply as truth.

One other thing I might add about this topic. No true son of Judah that believes on Christ Jesus would be against what I covered in my OP. The reason is because a true believing Jew on Christ Jesus IS... part of Christ's Body, His Church, and no longer a part of the unbelieving Jews who reject Christ. That has absolutely nothing to do with their bloodline heritage from Judah, and has everything to do with inheriting God's Promises and covenants first given through Abraham and his seed by Faith on Jesus Christ.

Yet some among the Messianics, like the Pharisee converts that Apostle Paul continually had to deal with, obviously think we Gentile believers can never inherit the Promises, when in fact the Promises were specifically manifested with the western Christian Church immediately after the passion of Christ.

 

[Prentis]

Yes. Amen to this!

I, and many others, have been called anti-Semite for speaking of the fact we are all called into one body in Christ Jesus. This was by a Jewish christian who believed in the superiority of Jews, even in Christ. Sadly, many take on these lies. While the gospel in love calls all into one body, brought together in Christ, many seek to divide this very body.

Ephesians 3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,

People will use the many things the Jews have suffered to say we should 'leave them alone', and not speak of the new covenant because we are 'destroying their religion'. This can be expected of non-believers, but we should be very careful as believers; we are both called into one body, and if we take on the offenses of the Jews and seek to protect their ways we are only protecting the old against the new, and the better, which God has called them to. I am not saying we make ourselves nuisances to the ones who want to remain in Judaism, or attack them in any way. But when the door is open, let us not be enemies of the truth! :)

Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.