Try this:
And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
Galatians 3:8-9 NKJV
Well, I'm not a Bible scholar by any stretch of the imagination but I'll give it a shot. The old testament said that the Gentiles would be justified by faith just as Abraham was and that all believers would receive blessings because of Christ. Also, verse 7 says "Therefore, be sure that it is those of faith who are sons of Abraham". Jews and Gentiles are both sons of Abraham because they follow his example of faith. I don't see the exact words referring to followers of Christ as "Israel" but Abraham is Israel's (Jacob's) grandfather so maybe we can make that connection? Anyway, I'm glad you asked that question...made me break out the bible this evening. *shout out to John MacArthur! *
I believe we may be miscommunicating things here. Salvation is not for Jews only by ANY stretch, but instead for Jews and Gentiles. That however does not mean that, "Israel" is for all followers of Christ.
Israel is defined in other places of the bible as being Jews with the direct familial lineage laid out, but it is definitely interesting to see, "those of faith" being called sons of Abraham. I believe that this likely is referring to the origination of Christianity being through Abraham, but perhaps I'm not seeing the full picture - I'm incredibly tired at the moment.
This is certainly something I haven't heard before though, thank you for the discussion! God bless.
What verse specifically refers to followers of Christ as, "Israel?" Israel has always been his Jewish followers.
Abraham was not jewish, nor Isaac. I will find the verses.
Still waiting.
Try this: And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Galatians 3:8-9 NKJV
What are you trying to claim that this verse supports? Where is the context for this verse?
Well, I'm not a Bible scholar by any stretch of the imagination but I'll give it a shot. The old testament said that the Gentiles would be justified by faith just as Abraham was and that all believers would receive blessings because of Christ. Also, verse 7 says "Therefore, be sure that it is those of faith who are sons of Abraham". Jews and Gentiles are both sons of Abraham because they follow his example of faith. I don't see the exact words referring to followers of Christ as "Israel" but Abraham is Israel's (Jacob's) grandfather so maybe we can make that connection? Anyway, I'm glad you asked that question...made me break out the bible this evening. *shout out to John MacArthur! *
I believe we may be miscommunicating things here. Salvation is not for Jews only by ANY stretch, but instead for Jews and Gentiles. That however does not mean that, "Israel" is for all followers of Christ.
Israel is defined in other places of the bible as being Jews with the direct familial lineage laid out, but it is definitely interesting to see, "those of faith" being called sons of Abraham. I believe that this likely is referring to the origination of Christianity being through Abraham, but perhaps I'm not seeing the full picture - I'm incredibly tired at the moment.
This is certainly something I haven't heard before though, thank you for the discussion! God bless.