Part 4 of the Debunking Replacement Theology series
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One of the most pivotal Bible chapters that derails the lie that the Church has replaced Israel is Romans chapter 11. In this ‘Debunking Replacement Theology’ series, we have already acknowledged that God keeps His Covenant with Israel – it is an everlasting covenant. We have also presented clarification about commonly misapplied verses in the New Testament. Now, we will look specifically at Romans 11 and why it is so fundamental in our understanding of God’s dealings with Israel.
In the Bible, God differentiates between two people groups: Jews and Gentiles. In this new era of the Church, the ‘elephant in the room’ in Paul’s ministry to believers in Rome was this: since the nation of Israel had rejected Jesus as Messiah, had God rejected them? The Apostle Paul had explained that the Gospel was for both ‘Jew and Gentile’ as ‘one new man’ through personal, individual faith. The question remained, however. “What about Israel?”
Paul addresses this question directly with Gentiles (verse 13, “For I speak to you Gentiles”). Through eager persuasion and the Spirit’s leading, Paul lays out the fairness, the farsightedness and the faithfulness of God in His dealings with the people whom He foreknew, Israel.
Today, proponents of Replacement Theology do not even ask “what about Israel?” They base their entire false doctrine on the claim that Israel has been replaced. But these claims can be countered by a set of Biblical principles that the Apostle Paul identifies in this chapter. Let us look at these principles.
Principle 1: God has not rejected His people
“I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.” (Romans 11:1)
Appreciation that God has not forsaken Israel begins with understanding the incredible grace of God. There are many church ministers that preach about grace in relation to the Church but are less inclined to preach about grace when it concerns Israel. Paul begins Romans 11 by offering himself as a living example of God’s grace. He was once Saul of Tarsus, one of the most bitter enemies of the Gospel and a persecutor of the Church. Replacement Theologians seem comfortable when relating to the ‘Christian’ Paul, but choose to ignore His Jewish identity. Here Paul was effectively pointing out, “if you think God has rejected Israel… hello, I’m Paul an Israelite!” Or today he might put it another way, “if you have a problem with Israel, you have a problem with me.” Paul once described himself as “the worst of sinners” and here he is now, transformed by the grace and mercy of God.
Paul was one of many Jews that were now part of the Church (Jews and Gentiles believing in Jesus). Paul gives the example of Elijah and the saving of 7,000 men, demonstrating that there is always a faithful remnant – not all Israel is in unbelief. However, the existence of a believing remnant does not negate a future national restoration. The remnant, which Paul could identify himself with, is part of God’s present work, but a greater national fulfilment is yet to come.
A Replacement Theologian might contend that Paul offering himself as an example of God’s grace simply demonstrates the already known fact that there are individual Jews who believe in Jesus. But notice his self-declared descriptor: he is referring to himself as “an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.” Notice that Paul refers to himself as “of the seed of Abraham” in the ‘natural descendant’ use of the term. This is critical, because it gives clarity to which people Paul is referring for the entire chapter. Reading the entire chapter, it is very clear that ‘Israel’ in Romans 11 is NOT meaning the Church. Nor is it only referring to Jews who believe in Jesus. Israel is referring to the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And notably, it continues, “God has not cast away His people,” clearly meaning the Jewish people.
This is entirely consistent with other Scriptures. Psalm 84:14 says, “For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance.” In Jeremiah 31:35-37, God says that Israel will never cease to be a nation before Him as long as the sun, moon and stars remain. Psalm 105:7-10 says God made a covenant with Abraham, Isaac and “confirmed it to Jacob for a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant.”
Principle 2: Israel’s blindness is in part and temporary
“God has given them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.” (Romans 11:8)
Romans 11:7-10 speaks of a ‘spirit of stupor’ and a blindness that has been imparted to many. Further into the chapter, verse 25 says that the “blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” This verse provides two very important indicators.
Firstly, it defines the blindness as being ‘in part’. Considering it from a ‘glass half-full’ perspective, Paul shows an enthusiasm that a ‘remnant’ exists. From the ‘glass half-empty’ perspective, Paul, an evangelist at heart, shares how he would do anything to save some of his own flesh (Romans 11:14).
However, verse 25 also defines a time-period: “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” This time-period is sometimes described as ‘time of the Gentiles’ or ‘Church Age’. While there are various eschatological views about this timeframe, this verse clearly says that Israel’s blindness is temporary and lasts for a period that coincides precisely with God’s dealings with the Gentiles. We are living in this Church-age period. Once the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in,” then all Israel will be saved in accordance with Scripture:
“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26-27)
Secondly, not only are we presented with a thorough explanation of the blindness, but we are also given a reason. The reason is that through their stumbling (national rejection of Jesus), “salvation has come to the Gentiles,” (Romans 11:11). Paul also says that through their failure, riches have come upon the Gentiles (Romans 11:12). This refers to the rich spiritual blessings, inheritance, and redemption lavished from the heavenly realms upon Christians through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
How do we respond to such riches, when the cost was so great? Paul, in Romans 15:27, gives a practical instruction: “For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.”
Principle 3: Gentiles have been grafted in
“You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.’” (Romans 11:19)
Remember that Romans 11 is a message specifically to Gentiles. For the benefit of Gentiles to understand, Paul paints the vivid picture of an olive tree with broken off branches. The natural branches (Israel) were broken off because of unbelief (Romans 11:20). Paul also describes a “wild olive tree” which refers to the Gentiles (Romans 11:17). So, we have a tree, a root, natural branches that are currently broken, and wild branches that have been recently grafted in.
Verse 19 says that the natural branches were broken off so that Gentiles “might be grafted in.” This wild olive tree (Gentiles) was “grafted in among them” and has become “a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,” (Romans 11:17). In other words, there is now a shared root. The word ‘partaker’ means to share jointly. Gentile believers do not replace, they have joined. What is the root that Gentiles have become partakers in? Galatians 2:14, states, “that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Paul then outlines three conclusions that stem from this grafting in.
1. Do not boast
Gentiles are warned not to boast because “you do not support the root, but the root supports you,” (Romans 11:18). This gives helpful perspective to the Covenant made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants, the Jewish people. Replacement Theology is like a big boast against Israel. The Abrahamic Covenant has not been snatched from its original inheritors, rather Gentiles have become ‘partakers’ of the root through faith in Jesus Christ.
This completely dismantles the premise that the Church has replaced Israel. Rather, it is a mercy to have been grafted in, and Gentiles are indebted to Israel and the Jewish people for their spiritual heritage and to Christ for their spiritual inheritance.
The lifeline that Gentiles have received is through God’s provision of the Abrahamic Covenant, and without it the Gentile branch would have no life or hope. As Christians, we are indebted to the Jewish people who are the natural branches of the tree. We cannot even explain Christianity without the Jewish roots of our faith.
When a branch’s scion is grafted onto a rootstock it is secured together to ensure that the living layers are aligned. Then the healing of the branch begins. Restoration commences. For both the Jewish people and Gentiles, the olive tree is calling both to alignment and restoration. Our future is one of unity together – Jews and Gentiles – as one budding and blessed tree, whose sustenance is the Living God, and whose hope is grounded in the root of God’s Covenant. If we want to see the Church restored and revived, it must acknowledge that it is grafted into this tree and must align itself with the root. Disconnection will not survive; boasting against the natural branches (Israel) is displeasing to God; remaining wild is not God’s intention. But the Church that understands that it is grafted into the Olive Tree will flourish and change the world.
2. God is able to graft in again
God has both the will and the method to graft the natural branches (Israel) back “into their own olive tree,” (Romans 11:24). Remember in verse 1, Paul uses the phrase “never cast away” to describe his Jewish brethren. Furthermore, Paul writes that if the wild branches (Gentiles) were able to be grafted in “contrary to nature,” how much more will the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree. It implies that God re-grafting the Jewish people back into their own olive tree will appear much easier from a natural perspective than even that experienced by the Gentiles. This is contrary to the deceptive portrayal that Israel has been replaced permanently. Rather, the lifting of the partial blindness when it happens will be remarkable and miraculous. As Paul penned in verse 15, “what will their acceptance be but life from the dead,” and verse 25, if their “failure [was] riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness.”
3. A strong warning to Gentiles
Paul uses the same illustration to warn Gentiles about being ‘cut off’ by the same measure that the natural branches were cut off. “For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either,” (Romans 11:21). This suggests that God’s discipline for unbelief is non-discriminatory.
This thought challenges the arrogant mindset of some who have embraced Replacement Theology by holding Israel and Jews to a higher standard. This is very apparent in circles where false teaching has claimed that Israel’s unbelief has delegitimised its identity.
For example, some take ‘replacement’ to the extreme in thinking the Jewish people are not worthy to possess what they think has been taken away because of unbelief. We also see prideful attitudes against Jews who don’t believe in Jesus, influenced by the age-old antisemitic portrayals of ‘the Jews killed Jesus’. Others single out the wrongdoings of individual Jews and brand an entire race and religion because of inherent anti-Jewish bias. Its also common for some to be judgmental and critical of the State of Israel to a degree that is not applied to any other nation. Why? The reason is due to a misguided expectation that Israel should be perfect, because of it being chosen. This imposes ‘works’ on Israel and denies grace. But Romans 11:21 flips the warning. It says Gentiles are just as susceptible to the consequences of unbelief. Equally, Israel is just as treasured as being the recipients of mercy as the Gentiles. Paul warns “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion.” (Romans 11:25)
The fact is that God will hold ALL Gentile nations to account for unbelief. Ironically, the nations will also be judged for their treatment of Israel. It is more worthwhile, therefore, that Christian leaders call the nations to repentance, rather than spend their energies vilifying Israel and finding fault with Jews through collective judgment.
Principle 4: Israel is beloved
“Concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.” (Romans 11:28)
We have already read that Gentiles should not boast against the root. We have recognised the grafting in of the Gentile branch from separated wildness into the Olive Tree. We have foretasted the wonder of reconciliation and fullness at Israel’s grafting back in again. With this in mind, the whole temperature towards Israel and the Jewish people is set in this chapter.
A Christian who embraces Romans 11 will be filled with a gratitude and compassion for Israel. Sadly, both are lacking in Replacement Theology. This is why so many churches harbour coldness and hardness towards Israel. A Christian who is struck by the revelation of Romans 11 will want to bless Israel unconditionally. Look how Romans 11 steers the heart of the Gentile towards His people, Israel.
In verse 28, Paul once again addresses the aforementioned ‘elephant in the room’. We read, “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake.” This doesn’t mean ‘enemies’ at war. Israel is the safest place for Christians in the Middle East and Christians and Jews are some of the best friends in the world. It simply refers to an unbelieving Israel that has rejected the Gospel. Indeed, the whole context of Romans 11 is an effort to calibrate Gentiles in their understanding of Israel despite the apparent outward hostility many would have experienced in response to the Gospel. Notice the phrase “for your sake” as if reminding us to not let go of the bigger picture of how and why salvation came to the Gentiles. They might be enemies from the standpoint of the Gospel, but not from God’s covenantal perspective.
The verse continues, “concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.” The term ‘fathers’ refers to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In other words, we are reminded that God is keeping His word for the sake of the everlasting promise He made in covenant with them.
Underline the word ‘beloved’; highlight it; print it off; post it on Facebook; shout it from the rooftops; whisper it in your prayers. Israel is ‘beloved’. Israel is ‘beloved’ despite being so-called “enemies of the Gospel”. Israel is ‘beloved’ despite blindness. Israel is ‘beloved’ despite being a disconnected branch.
The word ‘beloved’ is the Greek word, agapētoi, from the root word agape.
Agape is God’s covenantal, unconditional love. Replacement Theology is a conditional attitude that has already decided Israel’s fate. It lacks agape love for Israel. It is not Biblical and it is a sin. On the contrary, God loves Israel unconditionally. Paul continues, “for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” The word ‘irrevocable’ in Greek means not to be repented of, not to be recalled or changed. In other words, the Covenant made by God with His people is irreversible; it is unchanging; it cannot be undone.
Principle 5: God is Sovereign
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
Gratitude and compassion are forerunners of humility. Paul writes that even you, yes YOU, were once disobedient, but you have obtained mercy. Yet the mercy you have received is actually an outcome of ‘their disobedience’ (Romans 11:30). To close this circle of cause and effect, Paul clarifies that “through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy,” (Romans 11:31). It might seem like a mystery of mercy, but the institutor of such disobedience and mercy is God Himself. “For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all,” (Romans:11:32).
We may develop gratitude towards Israel, but ultimately our gratitude is to God Himself. In our appreciation of His promises to Israel, we see the unchanging character of God. Replacement Theologians not only undermine Israel, but the God of Israel and His Sovereign will. If we still cannot comprehend the breadth of God’s mercy towards Israel, then be still and trust in His Word. Paul closes, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33).
God’s divine plan for Jew and Gentile; Israel and the Church; will unfold for His purposes, in His timing, and for His glory. It might seem a mystery, but the wisdom and knowledge of God is revealed in the profound Truth that God has not forsaken His people.
The next time you hear someone say, “God is finished with Israel,” turn to Romans 11. Replacement Theology has had a devastating impact in driving a wedge between Christians and Jews, and has caused the Church to miss the mark when it comes to teaching the Biblical truth about Israel. But as more Christians awaken to God’s agape love for Israel, and recognise the precious grafting in of Gentiles into the Olive Tree, we must pray that the lifeless fallacy of Replacement Theology will be cut off and wither, and that a revitalised desire to bless Israel and the Jewish people will bloom in our generation.
