READING TIME: 3-6 MINUTES
January 31, 2020
Galatians 6:16, Part 4
12 Reasons why Replacement Theology contradicts the biblical witness (from Michael Vlach’s article “12 Reasons Why Supersessionism /Replacement Theology Is Not a Biblical Doctrine:”
(1) The Tanakh (the Hebrew Scriptures) teaches the restoration of the nation Israel. See Deuteronomy 30:1-6; Jeremiah 30, 31, and 33 (these chapters describe predictions of the New Covenant that promises Israel’s restoration that includes spiritual and physical blessings); Ezekiel 36-37 (these chapters promise Israel’s physical restoration to her land and her future salvation); Amos 9:11-15; Zephaniah 3:14-20; Zechariah 12-14.
(2) The Tanakh promises the perpetuity of the nation of Israel (see Jeremiah 31:35-37).
(3) The New Testament reaffirms the Tanakh’s expectation of the salvation and restoration of Israel. See Matthew 19:28 (Apostles to rule over the 12 tribes of Israel); 23:37-39 (Israel will one day place her place in Messiah and then He will return at His Second Advent); Luke 21:24 (the times of the Gentiles will come to an end); Luke 22:39 (the Apostles to rule over the 12 tribes of Israel); Acts 1:3-7 (the Apostles believed in a literal restoration of the nation Israel); 3:19-21 (a future restoration is preached to the leaders of Israel; see my Ask Pastor David post from Sept 11, 2019); Romans 11:26-27 (the salvation of “all Israel” will occur per the New Covenant promises given to Israel in the Tanakh).
(4) The New Testament plainly states that the Tanakh’s promises and covenants to Israel are still the possession of Israel even during this church age and even while the nation is currently in a state of unbelief (see Romans 9:3b-4).
(5) The New Testament states that God is always faithful to Israel because of His promises to the patriarchs of Israel (Romans 11:28).
(6) The New Testament indicates that Israel’s election/calling is irrevocable (Romans 11:29; see also Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
(7) The New Testament never uses the term “Israel” for those who are not ethnic Jews. Thus, the church is never called “Israel.” As discussed above, the title “Israel” is used 73 times in the NT and it always refers to ethnic Jewish people. Even after the church was established in Acts 2, the NT still consistently refers to national Israel (Acts 3:12; 4:10; 5:21, 31, 35; 21:28). In Acts both Israel and the church exist simultaneously. “Israel” is used twenty times and ekklesia (church) nineteen times, yet the two groups are always kept distinct.
(8) Replacement theologians have failed to show that the New Testament identifies the church as “Israel.” They typically use Romans 9:6; Galatians 6:16; and Romans 11:26 (in this verse “Israel” doesn’t refer to the church; like the other ten references in Romans 9-11, Israel refers to ethnic Israel).
(9) Replacement theologians have failed to show that the New Testament reinterprets or alters the original prophecies regarding Israel in the Tanakh. In actuality, the NT reaffirms the expectation that Israel will be restored and saved.
(10) Replacement theologians have failed to show that unity between Jews and Gentiles in the church rules out a future restoration of the nation Israel. Ephesians 2:11-22 shows that Gentiles who used to be far from God have now been brought near God because of Christ. Thus, the soteriological status of believing Gentiles has changed. They now share with Israel in Israel’s covenants and promises but they do not become Israel. Believing Gentiles don’t become part of Israel, but they become part of the “new man.” Romans 11:17–24 stresses that Gentiles are now related to the promises of God. Thus, there is a soteriological unity between believing Jews and Gentiles. This verse doesn’t teach that the church is now the true Israel. There is a difference between saying that Gentiles participate with Israel in Israel’s covenants and claiming that believing Gentiles become Israel. Gentiles are partakers of the covenants, not takeovers. This passage does not rule out a future role for national Israel or indicate that the church is now Israel.
(11) Israelite language applied to believing Gentiles does not mean the church is Israel. 1 Peter 2:9–10 and Romans 9:24-26: Indeed, the language used of Israel in the Tanakh is used of believing Gentiles in the New Testament. But similarity with Israel does not mean identification with Israel. There are occasions in Scripture when “Israel” imagery is applied to non-Israelites without these non-Israelites becoming Israel. Isa 19:24-25, for instance, predicts that Egypt would someday be called “my people.” Yet, the context makes clear that Egypt is distinct from Israel since Egypt is mentioned alongside “Israel my inheritance.” So, even in the Old Testament, it was predicted that non-Israelites would someday carry some of the titles of Israel without becoming identified as Israel. Peter used similar terms to point up similar truths. As Israel was “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,” so too believers today are chosen, are priests, are holy, and belong to God. Galatians 3:7, 29: The New Testament teaches that believing Gentiles are the seed of Abraham but this does not mean that believing Gentiles are Israel. The concept of “seed of Abraham” is used in several different ways in the New Testament. First, it can refer to those who are biological descendants of Abraham. Second, it can refer to the Messiah, who is the unique individual seed of Abraham. Third, it can refer to the righteous remnant of Israel (cf. Isa 41:8 with Rom 9:6). Fourth, it can be used in a spiritual sense for believing Jews and Gentiles (Gal 3:29). Galatians 3:7-8 connects the Gentiles being “sons of Abraham” with the part of the Abrahamic Covenant that predicted that “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.”
(12) New Testament prophecy refers to Israel, thus indicating that God’s plan for Israel is alive. Revelation 7:4-8: all the tribes of Israel are mentioned. Matthew 24:15ff.: the abomination of desolation is related to the Jewish temple. 2 Thessalonians 2:4: Paul refers to the Jewish temple. If the church is now Israel why do NT prophecies refer to ethnic Israel?
Sources Used
Benware, Paul N. Understanding End Time Prophecy: A Comprehensive Approach. Chicago: Moody, 1995.
Ice, Thomas D., “What is Replacement Theology?” (2009). Article Archives. Paper 106. http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/pretrib_arch/106.
Mathewson, David L.; Emig, Elodie Ballantine. Intermediate Greek Grammar: Syntax for Students of the New Testament. Baker Publishing Group.
Robinson, Andrew D. “A Doctrine of Demons.” Ariel Ministries Magazine Summer 2018 Volume 1 Number 27: 8-13.
Ryrie, Charles C. Dispensationalism Today. Chicago: Moody, 1965.
Vlach, Michael J. “12 Reasons Why Supersessionism /Replacement Theology Is Not a Biblical Doctrine.”
________. “Has The Church Replaced Israel In God’s Plan? A Historical and Theological Survey of Replacement Theology.” Conservative Theological Journal Volume 4: 6-32.
“What is replacement theology/supersessionism?” < https://www.gotquestions.org/replacement-theology.html>.
Woods, Andy. The Coming Kingdom Teaching Series, #29. < http://www.spiritandtruth.org/teaching/The_Coming_Kingdom_by_Andy_Woods/29_replacement_theology/index.htm?x=x>.
Zuck, Roy B. Basic Bible Interpretation: A Practical Guide to Discovering Biblical Truth. Wheaton, IL: Victor, 1991.
