THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient: The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone, and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; they stumble at the Word, being disobedient, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; you who once were not a people but are now the people of God; you who had not received mercy but now have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:7 – 10 (KJV) In this document, we examine the identity of the people of God as described in the Bible, with particular attention to the role of Abraham, Israel, and the present - day Jewish religion. Many people think that the people of God consist exclusively of Jews, b ut Scripture shows that faith is central and ancestry is not important. We look at how ancient Israel developed , what the meaning of the name Israel is, and how faith in Jesus Christ forms the core of the new covenant. In addition, we discuss the history of the present - day Jewish religion and the confusion that sometimes arises among Christians about the relationsh ip between Jewish ancestry and faith. This text aims to provide clarity about these themes and to invite a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of God's people. It becomes clear that the people of God are not a people who reject Jesus, but that only believers who recognize Jesus as the Messiah can be God's people. Faith in Jesus is also, for religious Jews, the only Way to salvation. Note on the origin of this document: This text was originally written in Dutch by Johannes de Heer. It has been translated into English and further improved by Mediocre Monday (Mediocremonday.com). THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 1 INHOUD THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS — INTRODUCTION ................................ ................................ ......... 2 READING GUIDE ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 3 1. ISRAEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND ABRAHAM ................................ ................................ .................. 4 1.1 THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME ISRAEL ................................ ................................ ................................ 4 1.2 JUDEA AT WAR WITH ISRAEL ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 5 1.3 THE PEOPLE OF GOD CONSIST OF BELIEVERS ................................ ................................ ............. 6 2. THE BEGINNING OF THE PRESENT - DAY JEWISH RELIGION ................................ ................................ ... 7 2.1 THE JEWISH REVOLT ................................ ................................ ................................ .................... 7 2.2 THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD ................................ ................................ ................................ ........... 8 3. FAITH ALONE ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 9 3.1 NOT ANCESTRY, BUT FAITH ................................ ................................ ................................ .......... 9 3.2 UNBELIEVING JEWS ARE NOT GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE ................................ ................................ 11 4. THE CONFUSION AMONG CHRISTIANS ................................ ................................ ............................. 13 4.1 JEWISH - CHRISTIAN VALUES ARE NOT THE SAME ................................ ................................ .......... 13 CONCLUSIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ 14 THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 2 THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS — INTRODUCTION It is often assumed in the church that religious Jews, because of their Jewish identity, remain part of God’s covenant people and therefore have a distinct standing in relation to salvation. This document examines whether this understanding is consistent with the teaching of Scripture . A careful study of the Bible reveals significant differences between certain commonly held assumptions and what Scripture teaches. In particular, traditional rabbinic Judaism differs fundamentally from the Christian faith because it does not recognize Je sus as the Messiah. This statement concerns the theological position of traditional rabbinic Judaism and is not intended to describe every person of Jewish ethnicity or every modern Jewish movement. Many people believe that God has a special plan of salvation for religious Jews who reject Jesus. This raises an important question: what, then, could save those who do not believe in Jesus? According to the teaching of the New Testament, salvation is foun d through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). The apostles likewise taught that salvation is found in Him. This raises an important question concerning Romans 11:26: “And so all Israel shall be saved.” Some Christian interpreters understand this passage as referring to a future large - scale conversion of ethnic Jews, while others understand it as referring to the tot al number of elect Jews throughout history. This document takes a different position: that “all Israel” refers to the full number of God's people who are saved through faith in the Redeemer from Zion, both Jew and Gentile. This interpretation is based on the wider New Testament teaching that membership in God's people is ultimately defined by faith rather than ancestry. The question of who belongs to God's people is therefore closely connected to the meaning of the terms “Israel” and “God's people.” This document examines these terms and argues that belonging to God's people cannot be established by ancestry. This should not be understood as contempt for Jewish people or as a rejection of the biblical importance of Israel. Rather, the central question is what Scripture teaches about faith, salvation, and belonging to God's covenant people. By “religious Jews,” this document refers specifically to people who follow the teachings and religious traditions of present - day rabbinic Judaism, rather than to Jewish ethnicity or ancestry. The relationship between present - day rabbinic Judaism and the O ld Testament will be examined further in this document. The biblical teaching on justification, however, is clear: ancestry does not provide righteousness before God; righteousness is received through faith. The central thesis of this document is that membership in God's people is ultimately defined by faith in God's Messiah, Jesus Christ, rather than by ancestry. The coming of the new covenant through Jesus is therefore not presented here as the end of God's purposes, but as central to their fulfillment. According to the Bible, God's people are those who place their faith in Him and follow Jesus. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 3 READING GUIDE General The text is structured into four main chapters with several sections. Each chapter addresses a subtopic within the broader subject of the identity of God's people, the history of Israel and Judah, the emergence of the present - day Jewish religion, and the central theme of faith versus ancestry. Chapter 1: Israel in the Old Testament and Abraham This chapter explains that the people of God do not consist exclusively of Jews, but of many peoples and tribes descended from Abraham. It emphasizes that faith is more important than ancestry . The name Israel and the history of the Israelites are explained, as well as the conflicts between Judah and Israel. Chapter 2: The Beginning of the Present - Day Jewish Religion T he emergence of the contemporary Jewish religion after the time of Jesus is described. It discusses the Jewish revolts, the destruction of the temple, and the emergence of the Babylonian Talmud, which forms the foundation of present - day Jewish religious pr actice. Chapter 3: Faith Alone This chapter emphasizes that the people of God consist of believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of their ancestry. It states that religious Jews who do not recognize Jesus do not belong to God's chosen people, and that faith in Jesus is decisive according to the Bible. Chapter 4: The Confusion Among Christians This chapter explains why misunderstandings exist concerning religious Jews as the people of God. It shows that traditional rabbinic Judaism rejects Jesus as the Messiah and that, because of this fundamental difference, there are no shared “Jewish - Christian” values at the theological core. Conclusion The conclusion summarizes the main points: the distinction between Jewish ancestry and faith, the role of the Talmud, the traditional rejection of Jesus as Messiah, and the central place of Jesus as the cornerstone of God’s people. The people of God follow Jesus. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 4 1. ISRAEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT AND ABRAHAM In the Old Testament, it may appear that the people of God are a definable group with a particular ancestry. Many people therefore think that the people of God consist only of Jews. This chapter explains that many peoples and tribes came from Abraham. It is therefore certainly not only the descendants of Judah. Abraham and Jacob were not Jews, and most Israelites were also n ot Jews. After the time of Solomon, Israel was even at war with Judah (1 Kings 15). The most important point of this chapter begins with the promises to believing Abraham. It already becomes clear here that it is only about faith, because his faith was counted to him as righteousness. In addition, the New Testament clearly states that the Offspring of Abraham is Christ Jesus. “Understand then that those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7): it is therefore not about ancestry, but about f aith. 1.1 THE ORIGIN OF THE NAME ISRAEL Jacob receives the name Israel: Genesis 32:27 – 28 (KJV): Genesis 32:27 – 28 (KJV): “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 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.” Jacob's descendants consist of twelve sons. Judah, one of Jacob's sons, is the father of all Jews. Jews are Israelites, but most Israelites are not Jews. Israel blesses his youngest son Joseph. Judah proposed selling Joseph, comparable to how Judas betraye d Jesus. Judah's two oldest sons were evil, so the LORD killed them. The idea that religious Jews are “God's people” is a major misconception. This misconception is based on religious Jews appropriating the names “Semite,” “Hebrew,” and “Israel.” The names “Semite” and “Hebrew” can refer to many peoples, not only Jews. Semites are descendants of Shem. Examples include Arameans, Elamites, Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Lydians. Hebrews are de scendants of Eber, who was descended from Shem. Genesis 10:21 – 24 (KJV): “Unto Shem also, the father of all the children of Eber, the brother of Japheth the elder, even to him were children born. The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. And the children of Aram; Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Mash. And Arphaxad begat Salah; and Salah begat Eber.” While these terms have broader historical meanings, in modern usage ‘Jewish’ often refers both to ethnicity and to religion. This document focuses primarily on the religious claim. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 5 1.2 JUDEA AT WAR WITH ISRAEL The descendants of Joseph and Judah were at war after the time of Solomon. The descendants of Joseph ruled the northern part as Israel from Samaria, and the descendants of Judah and Benjamin ruled Judea from Jerusalem. Israel turned away from God, and the land was destroyed by the Assyrians. Part of the population was taken away to the Assyrian Empire, and part fled to the colonies and trading posts along the Mediterranean. In this way, Israel spread throughout the world The sons of Joseph were fruitful and multiplied among other peoples, forgetting their ancestry. This is not surprising, because their names literally mean “ doubly fruitful” and “to forget.” These names also relate to Joseph's own life: Genesis 41:51 – 52 (KJV): “And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.” There is no indication that the war between Judah and Israel was ever ended. We do know from the New Testament that the religious Jews in the time of Jesus had no dealings with Samaritans. The Samaritans came from the inhabitants of Samaria. Before the conquest of Israel, Israel was governed from Samaria. This explains why they did not want to associate with Samaritans. Furthermore, the sentence from Romans 11:26 is often incorrectly associated with the present - day Jewish state “Israel.” “All Israel will be saved” naturally has no relation to the secular and ungodly state that is incorrectly called “Israel.” From a biblic al perspective, calling a Jewish state “Israel” is strange, because Judea was originally at war with Israel. If they call themselves Jews and actually descended from Judah, the only logical name would be Judea or Judah, not Israel. The modern State of Israel’s choice of name is a political and historical decision of the 20th century and does not by itself determine the theological identity of God’s people. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 6 1.3 THE PEOPLE OF GOD CONSIST OF BELIEVERS This is God's promise to Abraham: Genesis 15:5 (KJV): “And he brought him forth abroad , and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.” The New Testament also says this about the Offspring of Abraham: Galatians 3:16 (KJV): “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” According to the Bible, the Offspring of Abraham is Christ. The Old Testament states that this offspring will be numerous. What, then, is this offspring? Galatians 3:6 – 11 (KJV): “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached bef ore the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” God's people therefore consist only of believers. As Christians, we are the body of Christ. Only through faith are we blessed, and through faith we are justified. Together with believing Abraham: “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17) THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 7 2. THE BEGINNING OF THE PRESENT - DAY JEWISH RELIGION Most people do not know that the present - day Jewish religion arose years after Jesus came to earth. After the Jewish revolt and the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in AD 66 – 74, Jews fled, among other places, to Babylon. The Babylonian Talmud was compiled roughly between the 5th and 7th centuries AD (with final redaction processes extending somewhat later). It contains the comments of rabbis and other scribes. For the present - day Jewish religion, the Talmud is the most important book, and not the Old Testament. This is because religious Jews do not believe in the many Old Testament prophecies that, according to this document, clearly point to Jesus as the Messiah (for example: Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 7:14 , Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Micah 5:2, etc.). 2.1 THE JEWISH REVOLT Just like the northern kingdom, the southern Jewish royal house also became sinful; they even sacrificed their children to idols. In brief, the following happened: Judea was conquered by the Babylonians, and the people went into exile. The Persians liberated and restored the people. After this, they were defeated by the Greeks and later ruled by the Romans. Then a major revolt occurred. This is known as the Jewish Revolt. It resulted in the destruction of Judea, Jerusalem, and the destruction of the Second Temple. These events took place in AD 66 – 74. And this is presented as the fulfillment of what Jesus said about the temple and the destruction of Jerusalem: Mark 13:1 – 2 (KJV): “And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that sha ll not be thrown down.” According to the historian Flavius Josephus, who lived around that time, this also literally came true, because the temple was excavated down to its foundation. (Josephus, The Jewish War, Book 7, chapters 1 – 8) In addition to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, Jesus speaks about the temple in relation to His own body. John 2:18 – 21 (KJV): “Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this t emple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body.” Jesus made this statement to the Jewish leaders in the middle of the temple that had taken years to build. He was not talking about literally demolishing and rebuilding the temple. He announced His own death, in which He would be broken, but after three days be raised again. After the events surrounding the destruction of the temple, the Jews revolted against the Romans again, known as the Bar Kokhba revolt (AD 132 – 136). After this revolt was suppressed, they disappeared from their land. The land was then renamed Syria Palaest ina. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 8 2.2 THE BABYLONIAN TALMUD After the destruction of the Second Temple, Jews fled, among other places, to Babylon, where the origin of the present - day Jewish religion is placed in this document. The Babylonian Talmud is the most important book within Judaism. It is often said that th e Talmud contains blasphemous texts. The blasphemy included in the Talmud is presented in this document as explaining the anti - Christian characteristics of contemporary religious Jews. In addition, these texts are described as being entirely in the spirit of the Pharisees and scribes who are portrayed in the New Testament as clear opponents of Jesus. The roots of the opposition to Jesus that appears in later rabbinic literature can already be seen in the Gospel accounts of the religious leaders of that time Some examples of texts in the Talmud*: • Sanhedrin 107B: “Jesus (Yeshu in the Talmud) stood on a stone that was supposed to represent an idol and bowed before it. Jesus performed magic and led the people of Israel astray.” • Sanhedrin 43A: “On the eve of Passover they hanged Jesus. He practiced sorcery, tried to sow division, and led Israel astray. Jesus of Nazareth was not serving the people but sought his own advantage. He was a seducer of whom the Torah says: You shall not spare him or co nceal him.” • Shabbath 104B: “Jesus was a magician and a fool. Mary was an adulteress.” *It should be noted that there are different versions of the Talmud and that the texts above are not found in all versions. When examining the history of the Talmud, it is clear that this book has been considered highly controversial among Christians throughout the centuries. This text, such as Sanhedrin 43A, does not correspond to the biblical history. However, the document states that it clearly refer s to Jesus of Nazareth. It considers it unlikely that this refers to a different Jesus from Jesus Christ, who was hanged on a Passover eve (on a cross). It is clear, according to the document, that the writers of this book do not regard Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and regard His death sentence as justified. These passages appear in uncensored manuscripts. Scholarly opinion is divided: some researchers (e.g., Peter Schäfer) see them as deliberate anti - Christian polemic referring to Jesus of Nazareth; others argue they originally referred to different figures o r were later interpolations. The document takes the view that they reflect a hostile stance toward Jesus and Christianity It appears that censored versions arose over the centuries, both to prevent discussion among non - religious Jews and through actions among Christians to combat blasphemy. There are also many other examples cited in the Talmud from which, according to this document, religious Jews do not share the same values as Chri stians. The Talmud plays a central role in present - day rabbinic Judaism. Religious Jews regard the Old Testament as an important part of their Scriptures, but certain teachings and interpretations within rabbinic Judaism are not consistent with what the Old Testament teaches, particularly concerning the Messiah. If the Old Testament is understood to point to the coming Messiah, as this document argues, then the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah represents a fundamental disagreement with its message. The Old Testament contains numerous passages concerning the coming Messiah, which this document understands as being fulfilled in Jesus Christ. However, present - day rabbinic Judaism does not accept Jesus as the Messiah and therefore rejects the Christian understanding of these prophecies. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 9 3. FAITH ALONE The Bible speaks to many different peoples and is addressed to all. Ancestry has no decisive value. This is not a matter of the people of the old covenant being replaced by Christians. It has always been about faith . The Jewish religion is no more than one of the many religions that do not recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior. Religious Jews have certainly not lost their opportunity. They can still repent and believe in Jesus. The national election of Israel in the Old Testament never meant that every physical descendant was automatically a true member of God’s people. Faith was always the decisive issue. Under the new covenant this principle is made fully clear: only those who belong to Christ (whether Jew or Gentile) are the people of God. Unbelieving Jews, like unbelieving Gentiles, stand outside that people. All verses in the Bible concerning God's people refer to Israel and the people who believe in Jesus. This has nothing to do with present - day religious Jews, according to the document. The present - day Jewish religion does not accept Jesus . This is also evident from the New Testament, in which they actively persecuted the community of Jesus. 3.1 NOT ANCESTRY, BUT FAITH It is clear that the Bible speaks about many different peoples and is addressed to all. Ancestry is not relevant. Religious Jews are not the promised people. The promised people consist of all believers in Christ Jesus. The teaching from the Talmud clearly indicates, according to the document, that religious Jews do not believe this. Religious Jews, however, are not excluded from coming to faith in Jesus. Galatians 3:28 – 29 (KJV): “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” The New Testament redefines membership in God’s people around faith in Christ Jesus rather than physical descent. At the same time, it continues to speak of ethnic Israel in several places, most notably in Romans 9 – 11. These references, however, do not establish a separate path of salvation or a permanent status as God’s people apart from faith in the Messiah. Hebrews 8:13 (KJV): “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teac h every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A n ew covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Here too, the document states, the new covenant clearly concerns people who believe in Jesus. The old covenant is old when He speaks of a new covenant . He has thereby declared the first obsolete. What has been declared old and obsolete is about to disappear. The new covenant in Jesus brings salvation; the earlier covenant is obsolete and has disappeared. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 10 Paul, an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin, was initially one of the greatest opponents of Jesus. After his conversion, he became one of the greatest advocates. He preached mainly outside Judea because religious Jews rejected the message. Religious Jews then tried to kill him and attempted to stop the preaching. He was chosen to preach to the Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. Romans 11:1 (KJV): “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.” After his conversion in Damascus, Paul preached there, where the Jews tried to kill him: Acts 9:15 (KJV): “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” The following was said to jealous and blaspheming Jews: Acts 13:46 (KJV): “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” It is pointless to occupy oneself with endless genealogies, but the goal of the commandment is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith: 1 Timothy 1:3 – 6 (KJV): “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now th e end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;” Jesus is a stumbling block for people who live by the works of the law. Religious Jews live as much as possible by the works of the law: they do not believe in Jesus. Romans 9:30 (KJV): “What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteo usness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 11 3.2 UNBELIEVING JEWS ARE NOT GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE The Old Testament calls ethnic Israel God’s chosen people in a national sense. Yet the Bible repeatedly makes clear that true membership in God’s people has always depended on faith, not ancestry. Unbelieving religious Jews, like all who reject Jesus, stan d outside the people of God. Romans 2:25 – 29 (KJV): “For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncirc umcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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.” Matthew 3:7 – 9 (KJV): “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselve s, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” In John 8:31 – 44, Jesus Himself is said to express it even more strongly. He calls unbelieving Jews children of the devil: John 8:31 – 44 (KJV): “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. J esus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” Scripture continues this same warning in the book of Revelation: Revelation 3:9 – 10 (KJV): “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold , I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” These words of Jesus and of Scripture were spoken concerning those who rejected Him in that generation. They must not be applied indiscriminately to every person of Jewish ancestry today, but only where the same unbelief and rejection of Jesus as the Messiah is present. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 12 Here are some more Bible passages that give further clarity about who belongs to God: Romans 7:6 (KJV): “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” Philippians 3:3 (KJV): “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” Jesus is the living cornerstone, because He has eternal life in Himself and gives that life to His people. Ephesians 2:19 – 22 (KJV): “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the buil ding fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” 1 John 2:22 describes the denial that Jesus is the Christ in very strong terms, calling such denial antichrist This document therefore understands the rejection of Jesus as the Messiah as fundamentally incompatible with Christian faith. 1 John 2:22 (KJV): “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.” THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 13 4. THE CONFUSION AMONG CHRISTIANS The view that religious Jews remain God's people in a saving sense can arise from confusion about the biblical meaning of terms such as ‘Israel’ and ‘God's people . The confusion arises, among other things, from religious Jews appropriating the name Israel and Semite (see chapter 1.1). The idea that only religious Jews are “God's people” is a major misconception. From a biblical perspective, calling a Jewish state “Israel” is strange, because Judea was originally at war wi th Israel. 4. 1 JEWISH - CHRISTIAN VALUES ARE NOT THE SAME The Jewish religion is theologically separate from Christianity. Religious Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah, which means that their faith and practice are oriented differently from the Christian faith. This difference can have a greater impact than merely a lack of belief, because it can also lead to opposing views concerning Jesus and His teaching. Moreover, this can cause some people around the Jewish religion to develop views that co nflict with Christian principles. It must be noted that modern Judaism is not a single uniform system. The critique in this document is about the traditional religious rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, not at every person of Jewish ancestry or at every modern Jewish movement. Because traditional rabbinic Judaism rejects Jesus as the Messiah, its foundational commitments differ fundamentally from those of Christianity. Shared ethical or cultural values may exist, but the core theological foundation is not the same. 1 Peter 2:7 – 10 (KJV): “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, 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. 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: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had no t obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” This isn't about the people of the old covenant being replaced by Christians. It's always been about faith. Everyone is one in Jesus. The point is that God's people follow Jesus. So the connection hasn't been cut off, Jesus fulfilled the old covenant, and everyone can be saved through faith in Him. The people of God aren't made up of religious Jews, but only of people who believe in Jesus Christ: The people of God follow Jesus. THE PEOPLE OF GOD FOLLOW JESUS 14 C ONC LUSIONS From the preceding argument, we can conclude the following: • Originally, Jews are Israelites, but Israelites are mostly not of Jewish descent • After the time of Solomon, Judea was at war with the northern kingdom of Israel. • True membership in the people of God has always depended on faith, not ancestry. Even in the Old Testament, unbelievers among Israel were rejected; under the new covenant this is made fully clear. • The Babylonian Talmud, not the Old Testament, forms the main foundation of traditional rabbinic Judaism. • Traditional rabbinic Judaism rejects Jesus as the Messiah and contains material that stands in opposition to Him. • Traditional rabbinic Judaism does not recognize Jesus as the Messiah and therefore differs fundamentally from Christianity in its understanding of the Messiah and salvation. • Modern Judaism is diverse (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, secular, Messianic, and others). The critique in this document is directed at the traditional religious rejection of Jesus, not at every person of Jewish ancestry. • Unbelieving religious Jews are not the people of God. The Bible defines God’s people under the new covenant as those who belong to Jesus Christ by faith. • The Old Testament calls ethnic Israel God’s chosen people in a national sense, yet true belonging has always required faith. Physical descent alone has never been sufficient. • Jesus Christ is the living Cornerstone. Those who believe in Him form the people of God; those who reject Him stumble over Him. • The idea that religious Jews who reject Jesus remain God’s people is a serious misunderstanding, often connected with confusion over the names “Israel,” “Hebrew,” and “Semite.” • The people of God consist only of those who follow Jesus Christ. Faith in Him is the only way of salvation for Jew and Gentile alike. The people of God follow Jesus. Therefore the proper Christian response is not hostility but clear proclamation of Jesus as the only Messiah and Savior, inviting all people , including religious Jews — to faith in Him. “Jesus said to him: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6