Romans

Romans Chapter 11

• Romans 11:1 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. 

This is another reason why we have to be very careful when studying Paul's letters that we do not pull verses out and use them leaving behind others that could refute what we teach by pulling verse out of its context. I could make a list of doctrines that people get from Paul's writing alone that are false. 

God has not cast away His people. God has not removed Israel out of His prophetic plan because of their rejection of the first coming of Jesus as some have mistakenly taught in church history. I repeat: God has not cast away His people.

In fact the doctrine of predestination is mostly concerning the Jewish people. He called them out. He foreknew them and they as a nation were called out for the purpose of being used of God to bring the gospel to the whole world. In fact the very Son of God was born of a Jewish woman. 

• Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the Scripture saith of Elijah? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 
• 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 
• 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 

We all tend to get into this state of mind that Elijah had once in a while. We tend to think we are alone and we are the only ones who know the truth. This is nothing new. Elijah felt that way. 

There was a time when denominationalism first started that each group thought they had the only path to God and were the only ones that knew the whole truth. It really took us a while to come out of that thinking and return the way of salvation back to Jesus instead of baptism in a certain church affiliation. 

There was a time before 1948 that many thought the church replaced Israel because there was no literal Israel before that time back to 70 AD when it was destroyed by the Romans. There are still some that think that way but we now have no excuse. Israel exists even though, there were many that didn't want them to exist at that time. Advisors advised Truman not to allow it. Because of the bible background he had as a child, he might have let that influence his decision. They are surrounded by nations that do not want them to exist today. Israel becoming a nation again was literally impossible. What happened during the Holocaust may have caused the western nations to have sympathy for them. At the end of the day we know, God arranged it by moving on the hearts of Truman and other leaders of that day. Awesome to think about. 

In Elijah's day there were 7000 who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Even now it seems like true believers are scarce but we really do not know how many people are on their knees crying out to God day and night for revival. 

• Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 

This is another verse that is taken out of context to teach that God chooses some to be saved and some to be lost and there is nothing we can do about it. However this refers to the nation of Israel, not individuals. If some individuals were called to be saved and others called to be lost, there would be no point of preaching the gospel, because it would do no good to preach to those who are going to be lost anyway. 

If it wasn't for grace, not one soul would ever be saved. All who believe the gospel and receive it without falling away will be saved. The original elect is of course Israel. Because of the mercy and grace of God a remnant of them will be saved. In fact many Jews are already being saved and restored to the right relationship with God but it wasn't because of their keeping the law and doing the works of the law; it was because they come to Christ the same way that we come to Christ; by repenting of sin and trusting in Christ for save us from sin. 

Jews who are saved by grace are baptized in the same Holy Spirit and are taught the same scriptures we teach. They come the straight and narrow way the same as Gentile believers. Some of them have become the most informed and anointed bible teachers. I could say that too about the descendents of Ishmael once they come to Christ. They make very deep and scriptural bible teachers. What else would we expect from the children of Abraham? 

• Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 

When Israel is saved it is not by keeping the law but by believing in Jesus Christ and receiving the grace of God that forgives their sin and gives them the Holy Spirit. 

• Romans 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 

The first century Christians were mostly Jews. At that time they were the elect and the others were blinded. 

Now we have many Jews coming to Christ after being cut off for many years. This is one reason why I believe we are living close to the end time. The Gentiles are starting to reject the gospel and the Jews are starting to receive the gospel. It is a slow process but many are coming to the Lord.

• Romans 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 

This was true in Paul's day but we are seeing the spirit of slumber ending and their eyes are starting to open. 

• Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: 
• 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back always. 
• 11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 
• 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? 

This is something we need always to remember lest we get conceited and boast against the Jews because they rejected Christ. We are not to exalt ourselves over them and think that God prefers us. We are not to think we have replaced them as God's chosen people.

We are never to be high minded but to fear. Let us be thankful to have been part of this great plan of salvation and that we were able to be grafted in the vine which is Jesus our Christ. We were grafted in by faith in Jesus Christ. This should humble us, not cause us to be high minded. 

• Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 
• 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 

Paul was hoping that when the Jews saw how God was blessing the Gentiles with salvation and the gifts of the spirit that they would be provoked to jealousy. 

• Romans 11:15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 

Again and again we should rejoice to see many of Israel coming to the Lord. It is truly like life from the dead. 

First it was like life from the dead when Israel was reborn after not being a nation for over 2000 years. Then it was an even greater resurrection to see many Messianic Jewish congregations popping up all over the place. Rejoice and be glad for truly this is a sign of the times. Jesus is soon to return. 

• Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 

This shows God's divine calling of Israel. They are the root and their branches are holy. 

• Romans 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 

Gentiles were grafted in the olive tree because some of the branches of unbelieving Jews were broken off. The root though is still the same. The vine is still Christ as He came from among Israel. To be grafted in again, they must come to believe in Jesus as their Lord. 

• Romans 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 

Beware of anti-Semitism in any form. This is deadly and dangerous. Boast not against the branches. 

• Romans 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 
• 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 
• 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 

Does this sound like once saved always saved? If we return to unbelief, we as Gentile believers will be cut off just exactly like unbelief cut off the natural branches. 

• Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 

God is severe but He also is good and will reward the faithful. 

John 15 is a good chapter to read about the vine. We must continually abide in Christ and not return to unbelief and the sinful state we were in before we came to Christ. 

• John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 
• 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 
• 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 
• 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 
• 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 
• 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 
• 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 
• 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 
• 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 
• 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
• 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 
• 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 
• 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 

We see from John 15 the importance of abiding in, staying in fellowship, and walking with the Lord after receiving Him into our lives. It's is ongoing and active.

• Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 
• 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 
• 25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. 

Paul somehow must have foreseen the so-called Christians in the future who would consent to the murder and persecution of Jewish people in Spain, in Germany and other parts of the world. 

• Romans 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 

This prophecy is in. Isaiah: 

• Isaiah 59:20  And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. 

This redeemer is none other than Jesus Christ. 

• Romans 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 

Jesus came to take away our sins but first He came to take away the sins of Israel. They just didn't understand that, and were looking only for a Messiah to deliver them from their enemies. They didn't understand a deliverer from sin. The Gentiles were quicker to receive that understanding. 

• Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.

We see then the elect mentioned here is Israel. Taking all these verses together including the other chapters leading up to this one will refute any replacement theology, eternal security theology or dual covenant theology. 

Paul teaches salvation by grace, holy living, freedom from the requirements of the law, walking in the spirit, fruits of the spirit, gifts of the spirit, praying in tongues, not returning to sin, repentance, election of Israel, calling of the Gentiles to repentance, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, resurrection, Second coming and many other promises in God's word.

• Romans 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 

Once God calls a nation for His purpose, He doesn't change His mind just because not all believe. He called Israel and that call still is true today. More of Israel will be grafted back into the olive tree. Notice the gifts and calling are without repentance. This refutes the doctrine of cessation of the gifts of the spirit as some believe. He doesn't give gifts to the church and then take them back. The only time we will not need the gifts of the spirit is when all have been saved, all have been perfected, Christ has returned and the whole work of God is finished. 

Until the spreading of the gospel and all things that accompany the gospel is accomplished, we need the Holy Spirit and all the gifts of the spirit to enable us to preach the gospel, build up the church in faith and in the word. Just because we've heard rumors of weird things associated with those that claim the gifts of the spirit does not make them null and void. Do we throw out the doctrine of salvation because a few claim to be saved and live like the devil? Why throw the baby out with the bath water as the old cliché goes?

• Romans 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 

That is really something to think about that we obtained mercy through their unbelief and that we were grafted in the vine because some of them were cut off. 

• Romans 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 

We need to be merciful toward the Jews and not think ourselves above them. They will obtain mercy by the same God that showed us mercy. 

• Romans 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 
• 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 
• 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor? 
• 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 
• 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory forever. Amen. 

We might never know in this life the great thing that happens to us once we believe. We probably do not realize the price that was paid, not only by our savior but by others who were faithful to Him in bringing the word to our generation. 

We actually heard the gospel because someone was faithful. First it was the Jews who brought us the gospel. Peter, John, James, Jude and Paul were all Jews. We need to be eternally grateful for the Jewish nation for it was through them that we found our Messiah, our savior Jesus Christ the Lord. DC