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.

The People of GodThe People of God

A Study of the Continuity and Discontinuity

Between OT Israel and the NT Church

Presented by Chris ReevesAlpharetta 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), and4) 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

Illustration1. 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 )

Con

tinui

ty

(Rom

. 11:

16-1

8)Discontinuity

(Rom. 11:19-24)

http://deadsoulsyndrome.com/images/Tree%20of%20God’s%20Life.jpg

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?