Back in the late 90’s to early 2000’s, a well known minister had a “personal revelation” that the blessing poured out in Malachi 3 in connection to tithing is ideas, concepts, and insights. Yet, this revelation is foreign to the context and foreign to the entirety of the scriptures regarding the tithe.

The blessing that is referred to in Malachi 3 was God’s promise to bless the crops from which the tithe (food provision) was taken. The open windows of Heaven refer to such blessings as the rain that waters the land, causing an abundant harvest and the timely ripening of the crops. The devourer that is to be rebuked isn’t Satan, but things like pests (bugs, worms, etc.) that would come and devour the crops.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be FOOD in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty. ~ Malachi 3:10-12 

Addressing the subject of tithing is important and needful, but it is also risky because this subject touches a nerve with a lot of people on both sides of the issue.

The disagreement between the two sides generally revolves around this question, “Is tithing a New Testament doctrine?” Though this is a valid question, it isn’t the best place to begin a discussion on tithing.

Well then, where should we begin?

We ought to begin with a working definition, a Biblical definition, of what the tithe is.  Most tithing teachers claim that the word “tithe” means “the tenth,” and applies to monetary income, but is this the Biblical definition of the tithe?

Was the tithe ever a tenth of money anywhere is scripture?

If you have ever heard anyone preach or teach on tithing, you have probably heard Malachi 3 referenced. Most tithe teachers use this as their “go-to” text, and since many sincere believers have never been taught what the biblical tithe really is, the use of Malachi 3 can be very convincing for the tithe teacher.

The truth is, many who teach that the tithe is 10% of monetary income, do so out of honest and sincere conviction. However, sincerity can be misleading if a person hasn’t taken the time to find out what the Biblical tithe actually is.

When ministers who don’t know what the Biblical tithe is, use verses such as Malachi 3 to preach a required monetary 10%, this can put people under much condemnation. Having once been a Pastor of a local church, I am not proud of the fact that I once taught tithing incorrectly. Teaching God’s people that they are robbing God if they do not give a tenth of their monetary income can, and does, put people under unnecessary and unjustified guilt. No minister should use such tactics to gain financial support.

The Book of Malachi belongs to the Old Covenant, and Malachi’s tithing statements ought to be understood in view of the definition of the tithe given in the Law of Moses.

According to the Law of Moses, the tithe was never money. According to Leviticus 27:30, 32, and 16 other scriptural texts, the tithe was always food provision from the produce inside the land of Israel, and food provision from the herds inside the land of Israel. The tithe was never a tenth of the monetary income of those who had occupations such as fishermen, tent makers, makers of linen, blacksmiths, etc.

Under the Law of Moses, there were four categories of tithes:

(1) THE LEVITICAL TITHE ~ Numbers 18:21-24; Nehemiah 10:37

The Levites were given the tithe (food provision) because they were given no land inheritance among the tribes of Israel (Deuteronomy 10:9; 12:12; 18:20-24) . It was food provision for their service in the ministry. The Levites, who received the tithe, were to give one tenth of the tithe they received to the priests, whom they served in the ministry (Num 18:25-28; Neh 10:38). The priests (who were the descendants of Aaron) were also of the tribe of Levi, and were given a tithe from the tithe, because they also were given no land inheritance like their fellow Levites who served them in the ministry.

(2) THE FESTIVAL TITHE ~ Deuteronomy 12 and 14

This tithe was to be consumed by the individual worshiper during the three yearly festivals in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:1-19; 14:22-26). The following words refer to the festival tithe and shows that the tithe was not money but consumables, i.e. food.

“Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always. But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the Lord your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the Lord will choose to put his Name is so far away), then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the Lord your God will choose. Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice. And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.” ~ Deuteronomy 14:22-29 

Have you ever heard anyone who teaches monetary tithing tell the people to take their tithes and go spend it on themselves and rejoice in the presence of the Lord?

Notice in the reference above, if the tithe was too much to carry (this is a reference to food from the harvest), the tithe could be exchanged for silver (money) and then the money could be used to buy food at the feast of the Lord. This clearly shows that the tithe was not money, but food.

(3). THE TITHE FOR THE POOR 

This tithe was given to the widows, orphans, and strangers living in the land of Israel. ~ Deuteronomy 14:28, 29; 26:12, 13).

(4). THE TITHE-TAX

This tithe was tax imposed on the people when the Kings began to rule over the people of Israel. ~ 1 Samuel 8:14-17

There is absolutely no scriptural basis to say that people struggling to make ends meet are required by God to give a tenth of their income or else they’re robbing God and under a cursed.

In the book of Malachi, the prophet Malachi rebukes the backslidden priests for their many sins and among their sins was their stealing from the tithes (the food provision for the Levites). Consider the following from the book of Nehemiah, which is consistent with Malachi’s tithing statements.

Now it came to pass, when they had HEARD THE LAW that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. And before this, ELIASHIB THE PRIEST, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was ALLIED UNTO TOBIAH: And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and THE TITHES OF THE CORN, THE NEW WINE, AND THE OIL,  which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests. But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that ELIASHIB (the Priest) did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. AND IT GRIEVED ME SORE: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff to Tobiah out of the chamber. Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense. And I perceived that THE PORTIONS OF THE LEVITES HAD NOT BEEN GIVE TO THEM: for the Levites and the singers, that did the work, were fled everyone to his field. Then contended I with the rulers, and said, Why is the house of God forsaken? And I gathered them together, and set them in their place. Then brought all Judah THE TITHE OF THE CORN AND NEW WINE AND THE OIL unto the treasuries. And I made treasurers over the treasuries, Shelemiah the priest, and Zadok the scribe, and of the Levites, Pedaiah: and next to them was Hanan the son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah: for they were counted faithful, and their office was to distribute unto their brethren. ~ Nehemiah 13:3-13

In Malachi, God is addressing the sins of the priests who were cursed. Among their sins was that of robbing from the food provision which belonged to their servants, the Levites. It is not a statement to New Testament believers regarding their income.

Paul told the Corinthians to do the following with their money:

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”  ~ 2 Corinthians 8:7-9

Giving freely from the heart is New Testament doctrine. You may give a tenth or more if you wish. You can give as much as you desire, for you are free to give as you purpose in your heart.

You are not required by God to give 10% of your income. The Old Testament tithe was never 10% of monetary income. It was food from the crops and herds inside the holy land of Israel.

Russell Earl Kelly, a theologian on the subject of tithing, points out the following:

The argument made concerning the non-food tithing is that money was not universally available and barter from food was used for most transactions. This argument is neither biblical nor historical. Genesis alone contains money in 32 texts and the word occurs 44 times before the holy tithe is described in Leviticus 27. Gold is in Genesis 2:12. The words jewelry, gold, silver and shekel also appear often from Genesis to Deuteronomy.

Abram was very rich in silver and gold (Gen 13:2); money in the form of silver shekels paid for slaves (Gen 17:12+); Abimelech gave Abraham 1000 pieces of silver (Gen 20:16); Abraham paid 400 pieces of silver for land (Gen 23:9-16); Joseph was sold for silver pieces (Gen 37:28); slaves bought freedom (Lev 25:47-53). Court fines (Ex 21 all; 22 all), sanctuary dues (Ex 30:12+), vows (Lev 27:3-7), poll taxes (Num 3:47+), alcoholic drinks (Deu 14:26) and marriage dowries (Deu 22:29) included money.

Joseph gave Benjamin 300 pieces of silver (Gen 45:22). According to Genesis 47:15-17 food was used for barter only after money had been spent. Banking and usury laws exist in Leviticus even before tithing. Therefore the argument is false. Yet the holy contents from Leviticus to Luke never include money from non-food products and trades. (Russell Earl Kelly PHD).

Besides the use of Malachi, Abraham’s tithe to Melchisdek is one of the most often used texts to support tithing. Often, Abraham’s tithe is used to advocate the the idea that tithing is an eternal principle because Abraham tithed before the law.

Actually, Abraham’s tithe was an ancient Arab custom. Paying a tenth from the spoil of war (to the reigning or ruling King) was a customary practice in Abraham’s day. Abraham’s tithe was a special onetime tithe-tax from the spoils of war.

Russell Earl Kelly points out that under the Arab custom, the spoil-tithe tax was ten percent of the spoil. However under the Mosaic Law, the spoil-tithe tax which came from the spoils of war was only one percent and was given to the Levites and (one tenth) of that (one percent) was given to the priests.

The required tithe tax from the spoil of war under the Law of Moses, was actually less that what Abraham gave to Melchizedek.

Abraham did not give Melchisedek a tenth of his own personal wealth. In fact there is no record that Abraham gave Melchisedek anything from his personal possessions. At other times when God appeared to Abraham, Abraham offered sacrifice to God from his personal substance (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:14-18) but he did not give from his personal substance to Melchisedek. Abraham gave only that which was from the spoils of war to Melchisedek.

For more study regarding Melchisedek, I have provided a link at the end of this teaching.

Finally, we sometimes give just because we want to out of a generous heart, and other times we are prompted to by the Lord. He will bless those who give when we do it in faith and with a generous heart. I believe if Pastors would teach their congregations the biblical tithe and set the people free to just simply give from the heart, all the needs would be met. I mean, there probably would be times we’d see such a move of God everyone’s needs may get met. This happen in the early part of Acts, there was such grace in giving that everyone’s needs were met and the apostles distributed what was given as everyone had need.
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For more on the topic of New Testament giving, I have written the following teaching: Paul’s doctrine for Christian giving.

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/pauls-doctrine-for-christian-giving/

Also here is the link to the teaching on Melchisedek, mentioned above.

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/after-the-order-of-melchisedek/

I once had another Christian slander me on a face book page. Even though this person doesn’t know me personally and has never had a conversation with me, he took the opportunity to write slander against me because I refuted the “Once Saved Always Saved” theology he embraced.

He cursed me up and down the country (so to speak). He called me everything from a liar, to a word of faith wolf-heretic who brings another gospel. He stalked around on my fb page and found certain ministers whose pages I had liked and slandered me because of his hatred towards them. I was guilty by association.

If he had taken time to read my posts he would have found that I am quite grounded in the Word of God. He may have disagreed with some things but it would have been evident that my faith in Jesus is genuine and true. At one point He actually pronounced a curse against me, which of course has not power. He also slandered the three people who came to my defense. he even insulted my wife, one of the godliest and Christ –like  people you will ever meet.

I became an opportunity for “his ministry” which is to expose error, yet all he did was expose his own lack of godliness. Like many who think they are called to call out error, he took a very ungodly attitude toward me and only slander came out of him.

His conduct, biblically speaking, qualifies him as a heretic even though he thinks he’s exposing heresy. His vicious attitude towards me and the others he has slandered is biblical heresy. Heresy is division rooted in carnal strife, it is not wrong theology about such things as Once Saved Always Saved.

In first Corinthians, the apostle Paul addresses the heresy within the Church at Corinth at the very outset of his epistle in 1:10-13. Then in chapter three he addresses it again when he says, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions (or heresies), are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Corinthians 3:1-4).

Heresy is division within the body of Christ and it feasters within the carnality and unbridled lust of those who walk after the flesh. It divides rather than unites; it tears apart rather than builds up. The discernment ministries that regularly practice slander are a breeding ground for heresies. Heresy is a work of the flesh as the apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 5, where he mentions it along with selfish ambition, dissensions, and envy.

The proper way to confront error is with humility and meekness and not in pride and arrogance. The scripture tells us,”…the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

The spiritual man is not one who ministers condemnation, but godly edification. If we truly want to deal with heresy, then let us do everything in our power to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace because the wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.

We would all do well to heed the advice given to us by James:

“…if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:14-18)

In Romans 9-11, Paul’s emphasis concerning the salvation of the Jews is that it is a remnant according to the election of grace and not according to race, or ethnic privilege.

Paul actually covers the entire history of the Jewish people in these 3 chapters showing that election according to grace has been God’s plan from the beginning.

In 9:6-13 he begins with the promise given to Abraham and shows how that through the calling of Abraham and his descendants, God’s plan of election according to grace is revealed.

The succession of the promise was from Abraham to Isaac, not Ishmael. It continued from Isaac to Jacob, not Esau. Though they were the physical descendants of Abraham even as Isaac and Jacob were, Ishmael and Esau were not included in the covenant of promise – the election according to grace.

In Isaac and Jacob, God reveals that the election according to grace is based on (1) promise and (2) grace.

⁹ For this is THE WORD OF PROMISE, at this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son.

¹⁰ And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac;

¹¹ (For the children BEING NOT YET BORN, neither having done any good or evil, THAT THE PURPOSE OF GOD ACCORDING TO ELECTION might stand, NOT OF WORKS, but of him that calleth;)

¹² It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.

Isaac and Jacob represent the promise and that which is born of the Spirit, in contrast to Ishmael and Esau who represent the flesh. Ishmael was born through Abraham’s own effort, and Esau did not esteem the blessing. 

It is therefore, a fallacy, to think that all of Abraham’s physical descendants would be heirs to the promise. Consider Romans 9:6-8:

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For THEY ARE NOT ALL ISRAEL, WHICH ARE OF ISRAEL:  Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are THE CHILDREN OF THE FLESH, these are not the children of God: but THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE are counted for the seed (Romans 9:6-8).

Paul makes a specific distinction between the Jews. He refers to some as “the children of the flesh” and to the others as “the children of the promise.” Thus echoing what he has previously said in chapter 4: “if THEY WHICH ARE OF THE LAW be heirs, faith is made void, and THE PROMISE made of none effect…” (Romans 4:14).

Those which are OF THE LAW, mentioned in 4:13 (above), is a reference to the same Jews of whom Paul refers in chapter 9 as the children of the flesh. Paul says unequivocally, THESE ARE NOT the children of God, and that is why he says: “they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.”

God’s true Israel consists of those who are the descendants of Abraham according to the promise, and the promise given to Abraham was that he would be the father of ALL THAT BELIEVE (Romans 4:11). Therefore it is those who are of faith who are the children of promise.

Even though they are of Israel, not all Jews are Israel according to the promise because of their unbelief. They, like unbelieving Gentiles, stumble over the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Galatians 4:28, Paul speaking to the Gentiles who have faith in Jesus, says; “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE.” In Galatians, Paul is countering the influence of the Judaizers who were attempting to make Jewish converts of the Gentiles by preaching circumcision and the Law.

Paul tells the Galatians: Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH (Galatians 3:13-14).

The promise of the Spirit refers to the promise God gave to Abraham.

In Galatians 3:8 Paul says, “…the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before THE GOSPEL unto Abraham, saying, in thee shall ALL NATIONS be blessed.”

God’s promise to Abraham, which Abraham believed and was justified, was the promise that would bless ALL NATIONS, and Paul declares that this is also the gospel!

In Romans 4, Paul refers to THE PROMISE as Abraham becoming THE HEIR OF THE WORLD: For the promise, that he should be the “heir of the world,” was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith (Romans 4:13).

Notice that Paul makes a distinction between “the Law” and the “righteousness of faith” with regards to this promise. God’s promise wasn’t to Abraham alone; it was to Abraham and his seed, namely, Christ.

Later in Galatians 3 Paul says: For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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 (Galatians 3:26-29).

 

 

 

In Ephesians 3, Paul tells us the mystery of Christ which was hidden from previous generations was the union of the Jews and Gentiles in one body.

While many are advocating another gospel centered on the modern state of Israel, and building again the separating wall which Christ destroyed, the truth of the gospel declares that God’s eternal purpose in Christ Jesus is revealed through the one new man in Christ. It is through the church – Jews and Gentiles in Christ – that the manifold wisdom of God is revealed (Read Ephesians 2:11 -3:21).

For ye have heard of my conversation (conduct) in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it. And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. ~ Galatians 1:13-14

Paul makes the above statement after telling the Galatians that he marveled that they were so soon being removed from Him who had called them to the grace of Christ, unto another gospel.

I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. ~ Galatians 1:6-12

Paul is telling the Galatians at the very outset of his letter that those in the Jews religion, in which he once excelled above his peers, are preaching another gospel. In Galatians, Paul is dealing with the false teachings of those who were advocating Jewish identity (via circumcision and adherence to the law) rather than glorying in Christ.

These religious Jews (aka, Judaizers) did not simply want to bring the Gentiles under some sort of “works righteousness” but rather, they were seeking to make Jewish proselytes of the Gentiles, and this was something that Paul rigorously opposed.

It wasn’t enough to these religious Jews that the Gentiles had believed the gospel and received the Spirit. The wanted the Gentiles to go beyond the cross of Christ and become Jewish proselytes (through circumcision and adherence to the Law).

It is this “Jewish supremacy” based on the Jew’s religion that Paul is countering so strongly in Galatians.  Jewish supremacy, such as Paul is addressing in Galatians, is in opposition to the truth of the gospel.

Because of the cross, there is no privilege of one ethnic group above another in the sight of God. In Galatians 5:11 Paul says, “And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision (the mark of Jewish identity) why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offense of the cross ceased.“

The issue of circumcision in the first century church wasn’t merely about “legalistic works” as we in the church today would refer to legalism. It was much more than that. It literally meant being converted, and becoming a Jew. It was for this purpose that the apostle Paul was being persecuted by those who preached circumcision. Paul preached that the cross alone could save and being circumcised or not being circumcised no longer had relevance with regards to being in covenant with God.

To put it another way, being a Jew or not being a Jew no longer had any bearing on who was God’s people and who wasn’t. God had abolished the separating wall between Jews and Gentiles in the death and resurrection of Jesus. God’s people are no longer of one ethnic group in the flesh, but rather are people of every nationality united in one new man, in one body of believers, in Christ Jesus. What matters now is being a new creature in Christ Jesus.

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2016/02/26/one-new-man-in-christ/

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both (Jew and Gentile) one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace… ~ Ephesians 2:13-14

The middle wall of partition (or wall of separation) mentioned above refers to the Law. The Law separated the Jews from all other nations. With the Law removed, there is no longer any distinction between the two.

Paul tells us that Jesus has broken down this wall of separation by abolishing in his flesh the enmity, which was the law of commandments contained in ordinances.

The enmity between the Jew and Gentile has been taken away. It was slain in the crucified body of Jesus. ~ Ephesians 2:15; Colossians 2:14

Now both, Jew and Gentile, are united in Jesus as one new man. Paul says to the Gentiles; “ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” ~ v.13 

I recently watched a portion of a video by a well known Zionist minister, claiming that the wall of separation (which is taken away in Christ) will again be raised when Christ returns. I truly don’t think people understand how egregious such teachings are in view of the gospel.

In the book of Galatians, we get a glimpse of just how offensive this wall of separation was to the apostle Paul. Notice Paul’s words in Galatians 2.

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? ~ Galatians 2:11-14

Paul goes on to expound on righteousness through faith and how the Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ as the seed of Abraham according to the promise.

According to Paul, Peter and the other Jews with him were not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel when they separated themselves from the Gentile believers at Antioch.

Doctrine which separates those for whom Jesus died to make one, is contrary to the truth of the gospel.

In God’s eyes, unbelieving Jews and unbelieving Gentiles are all under sin. God makes no distinction between the two. Paul tells us the following in Romans 10: “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” ~ v.11-12

Likewise, in God’s eyes, believing Jews and believing Gentiles are under grace and God makes no distinction between the two because they have become one in Christ through the blood of Jesus. In Christ, Jews and Gentiles alike are the children of God because those who are of faith in Jesus are Abraham’s children through faith according to the promise God made to Abraham.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. ~ Galatians 3:26-29

In the book of Acts, before the gospel went to the Gentiles, there were 120 Jews who were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost; a Jewish feast day, which commemorated the giving of the Law at Sinai.

In Acts 2, there were thousands of Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. In Acts 2:5, we read “…there were dwelling at Jerusalem JEWS, devout men, out of EVERY NATION under heaven” (Acts 2:25).

Many of these Jews were residents of other nations because they were the descendants of those Jews who had been scattered when Israel was overthrown by the Assyrians and when Judah taken captive by the Babylonians.

Though there was a return to the land after the Babylonian captivity, the nation never became what it once was, as Jews were scattered throughout the known world. In Acts 2:6-11 we read of the nations from which these Jews (who were gathered in Jerusalem) were residents.

Later , in Acts 2:22, the apostle Peter addressed these thousands of Jews as, “YE MEN OF ISRAEL” as he preached the gospel to them. As Peter preached the gospel many were convicted of their sins. Acts 2:37 says the following:

Now when they heard this (the gospel), they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?

Peter responded by telling them to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins and they would receive the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Peter tells them the promise of the Holy Spirit is for them, and their children, and to all who are afar off, and to as many as the Lord their God should call.

That day 3000 Jews were born again and joined the 120 as followers of Jesus. In Acts 2:47 Jews who believed in Jesus were said to have been added daily to THE CHURCH.

Notice that the Jews who believed in Jesus were called “the church.”

At that time “the church” was entirely Jewish. They continued on in covenant with God through Jesus Christ. On the contrary, those Jews who rejected Jesus were cut off from the from the covenant.

Over the next few years many more Jews would repent and follow Jesus. For them, true redemption had nothing to do with being residents in Israel; it had everything to do with belonging to this community who followed Jesus.

Though many believed, others chose to harden their hearts against Christ, and against His followers, and the message of the gospel. Throughout the book of Acts we can see that God was separating His people within Jewry by calling the people of Israel to repentance. Those who obeyed and believed the gospel were consequently added to THE CHURCH. Those who refused to repent were cut off from being’s God’s people.

Many, who have embraced dispensational premillennialism, have been taught that Israel is not the church and the church is not Israel. However, what they overlook is how God made a difference between the Jews who believed the gospel and those who did not. God separated the believing Jews unto Himself and called them “the church.” The rest – those who hardened their hearts against Jesus – were cut off as Moses said they would be (Deut 18:15; Acts 3:22-23; Acts 7:37).

Yet, in the ideology of the dispensational premillennialist, national, ethnic Israel retains a special covenant status in the sight of God. This is completely contrary to the gospel. The gospel which was preached to the Jews about Jesus called all Israel to repent of their sins because God’s people were now identified by their obedience to Jesus and not by their ethnicity.

On the Day of Pentecost the New Testament church was born, yet the concept of the church did not begin on Pentecost. It began with Israel in the Old Testament.  In Acts 7, Stephen referred to Israel in the wilderness as “the CHURCH in the wilderness” (Acts 7:38).

The Septuagint (LXX) which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament (completed some 200 years before Christ) was a primary source employed by the New Testament writers when quoting from the Old Testament scriptures.

The Greek word Ekklesia which is translated in the New Testament, as church, is used in the Old Testament by the Septuagint to describe the gatherings,  assemblies, and coming together of the people of Israel.

For instance, ekklesia is used to describe the gathering of the people of Israel at the giving of the Law. Consider the following from Deuteronomy 4:10:

“… the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, GATHER me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.”

The word gather, here in Deuteronomy 4:10 is the verb form of ekklesia. In Deuteronomy 9:10 it is “the day of the assembly.”

And the Lord delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the Lord spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in THE DAY OF THE ASSEMBLY (Deuteronomy 9:10).

This “day of the assembly” is “the day of the ekklesia” or the day the church in the wilderness gathered to receive the Law. This is very interesting in view of the events which occurred on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Remember, Pentecost was a commemoration of the giving of the Law.

The giving of the Spirit at Pentecost was the fulfillment of that which was foreshadowed when the Law was given in the Old Testament. It is by the giving of His Holy Spirit that God has inscribed His Law upon the hearts of His people.

The ekklesia is not a new concept. It began with Israel in the Old Testament and continued with born again Israelites in the New Testament. That is why the Jews who continued on in covenant with God through Jesus Christ were called the church, or the ekklesia.

If we know from the scriptures that the New Testament church was born on the Day of Pentecost (a Jewish feast day) and was an entirely Jewish assembly of believers in Jesus Christ, then the church cannot and must not be thought of as a Gentile entity. The church is the true assembly of the people of God, as the writer of Hebrews exhorted his Jewish brethren:

For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CHURCH (ekkliesa) of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect…(Hebrews 12:18-23).

The greatest problem I have with the theology of Christian Zionism is that it is a narrative based on a collection of scriptures that have been placed together in a way that is contrary to the Biblical narrative. In the Biblical narrative of the story of Israel, the coming of Jesus Christ is the main event. All that God had given Israel under Moses and through the prophets was leading them to Christ.

According to the Biblical narrative, the calling and destiny of Israel comes to fruition in Jesus Christ. Yet, in Zionism, Israel’s destiny is not “in Christ,” but rather, it is in their national status via covenant with God apart from Jesus. There is no national status in Christ for the Jew, because in Christ, the Jew and Gentile have become one new man.

The apostle Paul goes into great detail to explain that in Christ there is no distinction between the Jew and the Gentile. Yet, the Zionist’s agenda advocates a separation between the Jew and the Gentile.

I recently watched a video of a Zionists teacher claiming that the wall of separation (which is taken away in Christ) will be raised again when Christ returns. No such doctrine exists in the New Testament, and such thinking is contrary to the New Testament revelation of the finished work of Jesus Christ. Jesus died for all, and all who believe in Him, are “one in Him.”

The restoration of the Jew does not mean being grafted back into a physical nation with an identity separate from others in Christ. The restoration of the Jew means being grafted into God’s people (the true Israel of God) and becoming one with all who are in Christ.

The mistake that Zionists often make is that they, knowing Israel has fallen through their rejection of Jesus, believe that they will be restored as a nation in a manner which is separate from those who are one in Jesus.

This ideology is foreign to the teachings of Christ and the doctrine of the apostles; and such unscriptural ideology ought to be rejected. No man comes to the Father except through Christ. In book Romans as Paul expounds on the unbelieving Jew being cut off, he says, “IF THEY WILL NO LONGER ABIDE IN UNBELIEF” they will be grafted in again.

It is not a “physical nation” into which the Jew is once again grafted when he believes the gospel; it is a spiritual nation. It is the body of believers in Christ Jesus, into which the Jew is grafted when he believes!

Jesus is the stone of stumbling and rock of offense, by which Israel has fallen. He is also the precious corner stone to those who believe the gospel. In Him, and in Him alone, the Jew is restored to God.

“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land…” (Isaiah 1:19).

What a wonderful promise. Many Christians have heard this verse preached and have been encouraged by it. Yet many of those same Christians have been taught that there is something called “replacement theology” that they should reject because there are certain promises made to Israel that do not apply to the church.

Well, my apologies, because if you are going to think this way, you can’t claim Isaiah 1:19 anymore because Isaiah 1:19 was a promise given to Israel. The good of THE LAND is a reference to the land of Israel.

Well, what about verses such as Deuteronomy 28:6 – “Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out” ? Well you can’t have that one either, for all of Deuteronomy 28 deals with the terms of the covenant between God and Israel regarding Israel’s obedience and disobedience in the land of promise.

What about the Jeremiah 29:11? This verse is a favorite of many Christians: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Well you can’t have this verse either. This was a promise made to the Jewish exiles that were taken captivity by the Babylonians. The previous verse (Jeremiah 29:10) says: “For thus saith the LORD, That AFTER SEVENTY YEARS BE ACCOMPLISHED AT BABYLON I will visit you, and perform MY GOOD WORD TOWARD YOU, in causing you to return to this place.

There are many Old Testament verses which could be cited which were promises to Israel, which Christians believe apply to themselves, and ministers will preach these verses to Christians applying them to Christians. In doing this, they are engaging in their own form of replacement theology.

Many who have been taught that others have “replacement theology” have never noticed their own replacement theology. In fact, I recently read where one minister taught that some verses in Deuteronomy which applied to Israel’s covenant in the land of promise was prophetic of America.

Is that not replacement theology?

The truth is, the term replacement theology is a misnomer, and many of the truths given to Israel do indeed apply to the church. For example, the apostle Peter took the words God had spoke to Israel after He brought them out of Egypt and applied them to the church.

Here is the text as it was said to Israel: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a PECULIAR TREASURE unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS, and an HOLY NATION. These are the words which thou shalt SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL” (Exodus 19:5-6).

Now, here is how the apostle Peter quotes this text, applying it to New Testament believers: “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 marvelous light…” (1 Peter 2:9).

Did you notice the similarities?

Again, the term “replacement theology” is a misnomer and it is an unjust accusation used to put up a wall towards other believers rather than believing the narrative of scripture that Israel’s history was leading to Christ and comes to fruition in Christ.

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/the-misnomer-of-replacement-theology/

Recently, I listened to few minutes of a conversation between two pro-Israel advocates as they discussed replacement theology, which is actually a misnomer.

At the beginning of the video, the host minister made a statement about the land of Israel. He commented that there are more than a thousand references regarding the land in the Bible and he made this statement to support his position regarding the modern state of Israel.

He actually offered a proof-text, by the volume, without going into any detail about what those scriptures reveal about the land. His loose and vague handling of scripture was used to promote the idea that the land promises given to Israel were “unconditional promises” which still applies to modern day Israel.

We must take the time to learn the Biblical narrative regarding Israel and the land of Israel, and not allow anyone to persuade us with their vague proof-texts which often lead to unscriptural ideas about Israel.

Oftentimes the picture is painted that the blessings of God on other nations depends on their support of the modern state of Israel. Yet, in your Bible, God did not judge nations based on their support of Israel or lack thereof. God judged each nation based on their own sin or righteousness. Of course when Israel was right with God, He defended them against those nations that rose up against them. On the other hand, when Israel was in rebellion against God, He allowed other nations to come against them. Israel’s blessings in the land and God’s blessings other nations, through Israel, was always dependent on their being right with God.

Furthermore, the concept that Israel was only blessed with regards to the land is a very faulty concept. Throughout the Old Testament, the wicked within Israel (not the remnant of righteous Jews) committed all sorts of grievances against God within the land. They committed idolatry by worshipping other gods, they sacrificed their children to idols, they committed all sorts’ sexual sins, and the list goes on. Time and time again, God’s anger and wrath was against Israel within the borders of the land of Israel.

In the book of Ezekiel, God had Ezekiel prophesy to the wicked leaders of Israel and say:“Ye shall fall by the sword; I will judge you IN THE BORDER OF ISRAEL; and ye shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 11:1-2, 10).

God told them that He would judge them within the borders of Israel. In verses 11-12 we read the following: “This city shall not be your caldron (an iron pot of protection), neither shall ye be the flesh in the midst thereof; but I WILL JUDGE YOU IN THE BORDER OF ISRAEL: And ye shall know that I am the Lord: for ye have NOT WALKED IN MY STATUES neither EXECUTED MY JUDGMENTS, but have done AFTER THE MANNERS OF THE HEATHEN that are round about you.”

All throughout the Old Testament, there was much bloodshed and death in the land of Israel and many times God’s anger and judgment came on the people within the boundaries of Israel. In fact, Israel wasn’t yet even settled in the land, but in the process of possessing it, when God turned against them because of the sin of Achan.

God told Joshua, “Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings. That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart FOR DESTRUCTION. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction” (Joshua 7:11-12).

Notice that within Israel’s borders, God said “Israel has been set apart for destruction and he would not be with them any longer unless they repented.

From the very outset of God’s covenant with Israel, the promise of the land inheritance was always dependent on Israel’s obedience to God’s law. Many scriptures from the Bible could be provided to prove this. Therefore, the land inheritance was never an unconditional promise, but conditional. If it were unconditional, God would have never drove Israel and Judah out of the land into captivity.

Israel’s right to the Land was completely dependent on their obedience to God, otherwise they were not entitled to the land.

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/is-the-land-inheritance-still-relevant-today/

https://michaelbattle65.wordpress.com/2015/09/22/the-promised-land-and-gods-rest/