Bible Question: Lately I am bombarded with the Israel question. I personally believe that those Jews who have been saved are ONE with us (non-Jewish) who are saved (Romans is clear about this I feel). The hope of Christians is heaven bound. The hope of Jews seems to be earth bound. Is God's presence going to be in a new Jewish temple? Where is the fine line between "natural and spiritual Israel?"   Bible Answer: We need to develop some background before we answer the three last questions.      Jew By Physical Birth. The first important point is that the only way one can be a Jew is by birth. Paul says in Romans 11:13-14,     But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. (NASB) Romans 11:13-14   Since Paul was a Jew by birth (Philippians 3:4-5, his fellow countrymen were Jews. Paul clearly assumes that a person was a Jew by physical birth, not by spiritual birth. Paul was hoping to see some of them saved.      Jew By Spiritual Birth. When a person becomes a Christian, he or she becomes a Jew in a spiritual sense according to Romans 9:6-8,     For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. (NASB) Romans 9:6-8   The Holy Spirit tells us the true descendants are not by physical birth, but are those by the promise, that is, by a spiritual birth. This "promise" assures us (Hebrews 9:15) that we can become righteous by faith.     . . . those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. (NASB) Hebrews 9:15   As He says also in Hosea, "I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, 'MY PEOPLE,' AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, 'BELOVED.'" (NASB) Romans 9:25   So all who believe are considered to be spiritual Jews.         < Back   Next >
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