THE ISRAEL OF GOD
Galatians 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. To the Galatians written from Rome.
Why does the Apostle Paul use this phrase, “the Israel of God?” He also informs us that there is an “Israel after the flesh” in 1 Corinthians 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? Therefore we must understand that there is a vast difference between the nation of Israel, (“Israel after the flesh”), and the spiritual Israel, which is the regenerate body of Christ, the Israel of God! The first is born after the flesh, and the second is birthed by the Holy Spirit. John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
The Apostle Paul also informs these Gentile believers of Galatia that as they are Christ’s, they are “Abraham’s seed!” Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. For it is a matter of faith, and not that of the law! Of this he also writes to the Roman believers that Abraham was an uncircumcised Gentile when God chose him. Romans 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
And by the Apostle Paul we are actually given a definition of just who a Jew really is! Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. He had a clear understanding of the difference of God’s purpose regarding the old from the new covenant. For in the old, the issue was upon natural birth in order to bring in Messiah. Whereas in the new order, after Messiah was come, it was then a matter of the spiritual birth! Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
But let us go back to the origin of the name, “Israel.” It is the name God gave to the grandson of Abraham. Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 49:2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. And we have the same matter in those who are “the Israel of God.” Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
And the Lord Jesus actually changed Peter’s name at the beginning of his earthly ministry. John 1:42 And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. And it was by this name which the Apostle Paul refers to him in his Corinthian letter. 1 Corinthians 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
So at first the name “Israel” was applied to just the man, Jacob. But when Jacob’s sons and their families come forth from Egyptian bondage, they are referred to by this name as a nation. Numbers 23:7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
Therefore when we read the name, “Israel” in the scriptures we must discern whether it refers to the man Jacob, or if “the household of Israel,” it refers to his immediate family, or to the nation. Now we can begin to understand just why the Apostle wrote of “Israel after the flesh” to the believers in Corinth, and then writes of “the Israel of God,” to the Roman believers.
Let us also consider Paul’s writings to the Romans in previous verses. Romans 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Romans 9:6 ¶ Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
He yearns that all those of the nation of Israel could come to receive Christ! But he says that the reason that all do not, is not because the gospel is in any way defective. But it is because that all those of the nation of Israel are not all of the “Israel of God!” He states this very clearly in verse six.
Romans 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Then here in this eleventh chapter the Apostle Paul makes it clear that those of natural Israel who were foreknown and fore-loved in Christ never were, nor ever could be cast out. For there always was, and still remains that there is “a remnant according to the election of grace.” But modern day religion takes that one phrase from verse twenty-six and says, “Down at the end, God shall save every Jew!” But what then of verse fourteen which reads “might save SOME OF THEM?”
What do we make of this? Well, here again we must discern which “Israel” is being referred to. In verse fourteen we understand that God shall save some of natural Israel. And then in verse twenty-six we know that all “the Israel of God” shall be saved. That is, all those who are Christ’s, and therefore are the seed of Abraham, shall be saved.
We would do well to remember that our Lord clearly stated that the world would see him no more! John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
And the Apostle Paul actually lists those who did see him on resurrection ground who were Jews, but were not of the world. 1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Therefore we are clearly given to understand that many of those not listed here, were but “Israel after the flesh,” and not “the Israel of God.”
The Apostle Peter states that those religious leaders, who were supposed to be the “builders” of Christ’s church, disallowed the very Corner Stone Himself; but God made him the head of the corner. And then he refers to the body of believers as “an holy nation.” For they are “the Israel of God.” 1 Peter 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Brother Gene