Finding Jesus in the Bible…So We Can Follow Him in Life
Bible Reading Plans
- Plan One: New Testament Only
- Plan Two: New Testament + Psalms
- Plan Three: New Testament + History
- Plan Four: The Entire Bible – Year 1 of 3, Year 2 of 3, Year 3 of 3
Don’t know which plan? Go to A Christ-Centered Bible Reading Plan: Quick Start.
Extras
Verse of the Day, Audio Capsule, and Video Minute
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The One True Church
Chapter 18 – Fleshly Israel Versus Spiritual Israel
The resurrection of Jesus to the right hand of God established the basis for a “spiritual Israel.” The fleshly Israel was all that had existed up until that point. After it, fleshly Israel continued being the physical descendants of Abraham, while spiritual Israel consisted of the subset who believed in Jesus as the Messiah.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Only a few years after Jesus’ resurrection, believing Gentiles were incorporated into spiritual Israel along with believing Jews. Peter was the first to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and Paul was the apostle dedicated to them.
Peter:
Acts 15:7 …Peter stood up and said to them, “Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.
Paul:
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands–
Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Thereafter, all the apostles addressed believing Jews and believing Gentiles as the spiritual nation of Israel – the true people of God.
1 Peter 2:9 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;
1 Peter 2:10 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.
Circumcision, having long been a defining characteristic of the descendants of Abraham, became spiritualized as well. Thus was the fleshly Israel seen as “the false circumcision” while the spiritual Israel was “the true circumcision.”
Philippians 3:2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
Philippians 3:3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh,
Philippians 3:4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
Philippians 3:5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
Philippians 3:6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
Philippians 3:7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
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