This is my first time on Christian Chat. I realize that the majority of Christendom embraces the idea that the ethnic Jews are the chosen people. The more I read things from the "Replacement theology" camp, it is really starting to make more sense to me. Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are ALL one in Christ Jesus." This sounds clearly like it is teaching that those of us who are born again and part of the universal church would all be the same, therefore the "chosen people now." Why would an ethnic Jew be singled out by God as somehow different, when Galatians clearly says there is no difference in people?! I think the New Testament teaches that there are only two kinds of people, children of God (saved) and children of the Devil. (lost) BTW, I am not in any way antisemitic. We are "chosen" when we are born again anyway. We don't choose God, He chooses us. Any thoughts?
I see the New Covenant church (assembly) as
a continuation of the Old Covenant church (assembly), Israel. When you read 3 specific verses together, Gal. 6:14-16, the RSV translation makes the most sense as I read it, as it describes those who are of the “new creation”.
But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. (Gal 6:14-16 RSV)
While many, or most believe there is a mass conversion of Jews at the end of the age, I see the Jews being brought into the church of Jesus Christ down through the centuries just like Gentiles. On the difficult passage of Romans 11, I understand it as follows:
But if some of the branches(Physical Jews) were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot(Elect Gentiles), were grafted in their place to share the richness/
rich root (Jesus the Christ) of the olive tree(God's people), do not boast over the branches(Physical Jews). If you do boast, remember it is not you that support the root(Christ), but the root(Christ) that supports you. You will say, “Branches(Physical Jews) were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches(Physical Jews), neither will he spare you. Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off. And even the others(Physical Jews), if they do not persist in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree(Gentiles), and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree(God's people), how much more will these natural branches(Elect Jews) be grafted back into their own olive tree(God's people). Lest you be wise in your own conceits, I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel(Physical Jews), until the full number of the Gentiles come in, and so all Israel(elect Jews & elect Gentiles) will be saved; as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Rom 11:17-27 RSV)