The People of God A Study of the Continuity and Discontinuity Between OT Israel and the NT Church Presented by Chris Reeves Alpharetta Bible Study, August 5, 2014

The People of God: Old Testament Israel  The creation of the people of God  The fall of the people of God  The election of the people of God  The struggle of the people of God  The remnant of the people of God

The People of God: OT Promise & Prophecy  First, the “seed” promise (Gen. 3:15; Gal. 3:16).  Second, salvation by grace through faith (Gen. 6:8, 22; Eph. 2:8-9).  Third, an inward heart that seeks to love God and keep his commandments (Jer. 4:4; Rom. 2:28-29).  Fourth, the salvation of the remnant (Isa. 10:22; Rom. 9:27; 11:5-6)

The People of God: The New Testament Church  The Lord and the people of God  The Lord’s church and the people of God

The People of God: The Pauline Perspective  Israel and the church: Romans 9-11  Paul argues in favor of four things: 1) God’s gospel (9:7-9 [comp. Gal. 3:8]; 10:8, 15, 17; 11:28), 2) God’s calling/election (9:11, 24; 10:12-15; 11:5-7, 29), 3) God’s mercy (9:16-23; 10:21; 11:30-32), and 4) God’s people (9:25-26; 10:19-20; 11:5-24).

Paul’s Olive Tree Illustration (Rom. 11:16-24) A “wild olive tree” (Gentiles) A “good olive tree” (remnant Jews & Gentiles) 16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; 18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Paul’s Olive Tree Illustration 1. A holy “root” 16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; 18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Paul’s Olive Tree Illustration 1. A holy “root” 2. Two types of branches: natural & wild 16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; 18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Paul’s Olive Tree Illustration 1. A holy “root” 2. Two types of branches: natural & wild 3. Branches broken/cut off via unbelief 16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; 18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Paul’s Olive Tree Illustration 1. A holy “root” 2. Two types of branches: natural & wild 3. Branches broken/cut off via unbelief 4. Branches (re)grafted in via belief 16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; 18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

Paul’s Olive Tree Illustration ( Romans 11:16-24 ) Continuity (Rom. 11:16-18) Discontinuity (Rom. 11:19-24)

Continuity & Discontinuity  The Israel of God: One vs. Many  The Elect: Service vs. Salvation  The Covenant: Old vs. New  The Tabernacle: Building vs. People  The Priesthood: Physical vs. Spiritual  The City of Jerusalem: Earthly vs. Heavenly

Current Issues & Questions  How should we describe the relationship between Israel and the church?  Is there one way to be saved for both Jews and Gentiles?  Does the call to modern Jews to come to Christ produce anti-Semitism against them?  Will there be a return of Jews to the land of Palestine in the future in order to fulfill God’s plan for Israel?

The People of God: Today and for All Eternity  First, God’s people need to live lives that are separate from sin (2 Cor. 6:14 -7:1).  Second, God’s people need to be diligent in service to God so as not to fall away (Heb. 4:8-13).  Third, God’s people need to show forth God’s excellencies to the world (1 Pet. 2:9-12).  Finally, God’s people need to overcome by living faithfully so that we can partake of the blessings and rewards of heaven (Rev. 21:1-7).

Three Discussion Questions  How is the best way to describe the relationship between OT Israel and the NT church?  What is the main obstacle in the Jewish – Christian dialogue today? Are we affected in any way?  How do we balance our desire to find biblical continuity with plain biblical statements of discontinuity?