The Ethnic Division Principle
Ethnic means “races, or people.” “Give none offence, neither to the Jew, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.” (I Corinthians 10: 32).
Definition: That principle by which the word of Truth is rightly divided in relation to Jew, Gentile, and Church. In these three classes it is seen that God is no Respecter of persons, but He is a REGARDER of classes.
The Jew is mostly spoken of in the Old Testament and in the first part of the New Testament. The New Testament speaks mostly of the Church. God deals with the nations (all races) in the first ten chapters of Genesis, but from Genesis 11 through the four Gospels, the Bible speaks of the Jewish nation as the theme of the Book, only mentioning the Gentile races. Then, from Acts through Revelation, the Bible speaks of the Church.
The Bible is written FOR everybody, but the Bible does not speak TO everybody (Romans 15:4). ALWAYS ASK WHEN READING THE SCRIPTURES, “To whom was this written?”
The whole book of Isaiah was written to the Jews. Ephesians was written to the Church. Matthew 25:31, 32 speaks of the nations. In Ephesians 2:11, 14, 15 all three are mentioned. The first eight chapters of Romans deal with the Church, and only the Church: no guilt, no condemnation, no separation; but in Romans 11:22, 23, there is the “cut-off”. Thus, it seems like a contradiction. Explanation: (1) Chapter 8—those who are in Christ. (2) Chapter 9—to Paul’s brethren in the flesh (Jews, Israelites). (3) Chapter 10—still talking about Israel. (4) Chapter 11—still to Israel. (5) Chapter 11:13 —to the Gentiles. There is your “cut-off”.
THE FIG TREE is the emblem of Israel and speaks of her national privileges.
THE OLIVE TREE speaks of Israel’s religious privileges.
THE VINE is the symbol of her spiritual privileges.
JEW: John 4:22—Salvation is of the Jew; Romans 3:1, 2— Given the Oracles of God; Chosen to be (1) Witnesses, (2) Writers of Scripture, (3) A channel through which Christ came into the world.
GENTILE: Ephesians 2:11, 12, Ephesians 4:17-19, Mark 7:27, 28
CHURCH: Ephesians 1:22, 23, Ephesians 2:14, 15, Ephesians 5:29-33 & I Peter 2:9.
CONTRAST BETWEEN ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH
| ISRAEL Matthew 25:32 |
| CHURCH Ephesians 3:3 |
| God chose Israel for His earthly glory (Isaiah 43:7, 21). | God chose the Church for His heavenly glory (Ephesians 1:14). |
| Israel chosen after the foundation of the earth. revealed unto Abraham. | Church chosen before the foundation of the earth- |
| God's purpose was to establish a nation distinct from any other nation (Genesis 12:2; 46:3; Numbers 23:9; Exodus 33:16). | God's purpose of the Church was to make a separate and distinct body from any other body (Ephesians 1:15-23). |
| Israel called out from among the nations (Genesis 18:18) | Church called out from among the individuals ("he that believeth"). |
| Israel, as the Nation, is yet to be called back to the land, (Jeremiah 33:7). | The Church, as the Body, is yet to be called on high (I Thessalonians 4:13-15). |
| Relation of Christ is King (Zechariah 14:9,17; John 12:12-15). | Christ's relation to the Church is its Head, Lord of Glory (Ephesians 22:4, 15). |
| The inheritance of Israel is the earth. | The inheritance of the Church is heavenly (Ephesians 1:3). |
| Blessings of Israel are CONDITIONAL. | The blessings of the Church are UNCONDITIONAL. |
| Israel had seven great feasts (Leviticus 23). | Church had none. |
| Israel was put under a dietary law (Exodus 12:20; Leviticus 3:17; Deuteronomy 14:3; Acts 15:29; Leviticus 10:9-11) | The Church has no diet (Colossians 2:16-3:17). |
| Israel's hope is for National Salvation. | The Church's hope is for her presentation. |
| As earthly things are concerned, nothing will excel Israel. | As heavenly things are concerned, nothing will excel the Church. |
APPARENT CONTRADICTIONS RESOLVED
|
Psalm 37:25 |
I Corinthians 4:11 |
Back to Mastering the Bible