Don't Believe Replacement Theology
October 2019 |
Replacement theology states that since Israel rejected her Messiah, God has rejected her. As a result, the promises initially given to Israel are transferred to the New Testament church (spiritual Israel). All of the hardships they have endured over the centuries is therefore God’s punishment for rejecting Jesus. The church replaces Israel as the “apple of God’s eye.” The prophecies, the promises, and the blessings given to Israel have now become property of the New Testament believer. Don’t believe replacement theology.
It Is Not Biblical
Replacement theology is clearly not found in the Bible. The promises of God have certainly not been transferred from Israel to the New Testament believer. There are some of the promises that are unique to Israel and are not shared by the New Testament believer.
Dual Covenant?
There is no dual covenant. Since Calvary, salvation is only available through accepting the free gift of salvation through what Jesus Christ did at Calvary. To continue in Judaism cannot and will not save one person.
The Origin Of Replacement Theology
Melito, the bishop of Sardis, believed that the complete Old Testament—and not just the law—was fulfilled at Calvary. He wrote, “Israel was precious before the church arose, and the law was marvelous before the gospel was elucidated. When the church arose and the gospel took precedence, the model was made void. The people [Israel] was made void when the church arose.” He also stated, “The king of Israel was slain with Israel’s right hand! Alas for the new wickedness of the new murder.” Can you see how this line of thinking could easily promote anti-Semitism?
Second Century Apologists
Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 50-117) said that “those who partake of the Passover are partakers with those who killed Jesus.” If we must assign blame for the death of Jesus Christ then it must be equally shared by all of mankind for it was our sins that nailed Jesus to the cross. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The Danger Of Undermining God’s Word
Proper hermeneutics demand that Scripture must be interpreted with the initial meaning of the author in mind and an understanding of how the intended audience would have perceived that message. The promises given to Israel were clearly meant to instill a hope of an eschatological restoration of Israel through the Messiah. Replacement theology clearly undermines the hope God intended to give to Israel of a future restoration.
The Danger Of Rewriting God’s Plan For The End Times
Replacement theology removes certain end-time events that are clearly stated in the Bible. They do away with Zechariah’s account of the Messiah setting foot on the Mount of Olives and it splitting in two, Jesus fighting the enemies of Israel, the millennial reign of Christ, and the role Israel will have during the reign of Christ.
The Danger Of Wrongful Claiming Promises
Replacement theology produces a spiritual pride as well as causing modern saints to misappropriate God’s promises. There are specific promises that are unique to Israel and to Israel alone. There are also many promises that can be equally claimed by Jews and Christians alike. Instead of misappropriating their promises, hold on to our promises and pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for their hearts to be opened to accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah.
Melito of Sardis, On Pascha, translation by S. G. Hall (Oxford: Clarendon, 1979), p. 21.
Melito, “On Pascha,” Anti-Nicene Fathers, volume 8. John G. Gager, The Origins of Anti-Semitism (London: Oxford University Press, 1983), pp. 127-129.
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