Hi Arlene

Thanks for your response. But I must say we just cannot pull verses out of context just to fit our own theology. I apolgy in advance for the length of this reply.

 

First of all I think you quoted Romans 2:28-29 and not Romans 9. I am sure this was a typo.

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

Romans 2:29 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.

 

When you read chapter 2 Paul was trying to let us know that you can be "born a Jew" but still not be saved. Even though you were a Jew outwardly this does not mean you trust God.The Jewish leaders were trying to point the finger at everyone but themselves. They were self righteous and really had no faith in the true God.In no way do I see in those verses that we Gentiles are Jews. That would really start confusing a lot of people and we both know God is not the arthur of confusion.

 

Now as Paul goes on with his letter to the Roman church he is trying to make a point. Paul was called to be the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

 

Paul knew there was still a remnant of Israel to be reached that would be a part of the Body of Christ.

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

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 it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

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

 

Notice verse 11 God did not call Paul so the Gentiles could "replace" the Jews but to make them jealous!

Romans 11:11 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.

 

There is a mystery Gospel given to Paul that came after the Jews rejected Christ. Even Jesus himself said he did not come to the Gentiles but to the Jews and instructed the apostles to NOT go to the Gentiles.

Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 look what Jesus said

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

 

Jesus himself made a clear distinction between Jews and Gentiles. He even sent the Apostles out with this message We know this is not what is going on now except by some denomination who twist the scripture and pull out only what they want to use.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mark 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

 

Now notice what Paul was called to preach

1Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

 

You see there is a different plan for the Gentiles. This plan is to make the Jewish nation of Israel jealous. The Apostles were to preach and baptize. Paul was to preach the Gospel and was not sent to baptize. Why? Because when Israel rejected Christ(God knew this since the beginning of time but kept this mystery Gospel Hid to himself until he revealed it to Paul) God put blinders on them and turned the attention to the Gentiles, The Jews can still be saved during this dispensation but they must be saved by the "mystery gospel" given to Paul. There is a small remnant of Jews that will be saved and become a part of the "body of Christ"

 

Noticed the Gospel given to Paul was kept secret

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

 and please explain to me these next verses

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

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

Romans 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.

Romans 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

Romans 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

Romans 11:24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?

Romans 11:25 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 fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

 

The above verses are explaining that we Gentiles better not get too conceited thinking we are better than the jews or that we Become Jews. he is saying that once the Gentiles that are going to be saved during this dispensation are saved then he will turn back to Israel to complete the 70th week of Daniel. Just as Jews can be saved today by Grace through faith Gentiles will be saved during the tribulation by faith and more than likely being beheaded. Please notice that in verse 24 it says the natural branches will be grafted back into their own olive tree.

 

You quoted this verse

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him

Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free but Christ is all, and in all.

 

And yes this is saying there is neither Jew or Greek.. in the Body of Christ. You are correct. Once someone becomes a Chrisitan that person becomes a part of the Body of Christ. It can be any nationality. It is a free gift to anyone who will BELIEVE. That is not only good news but GREAT news.Once the body of Christ is raptured then it will be a lot more difficult. The amazing thing is a lot of people will still be saved during the tribulation even though most will have to give their life. The Ones who are left at the end of the tribulation will be the ones who finally believe the message and accept Jesus as the Messiah. They will popualte the earth during the 1,000 years of peace. The ones who are killed during this time will be resurrected at the second coming and rule with Christ on earth. The Body of Christ that was raptured prior to this will be ambassadors for Christ living in a heavenly place.We are part of Christ Body. The nation of Israel are expecting to inherit the earth and they will. We as Christians will have a heavenly mansion.We will not "become a Jew" no more than the Jew who accepts Christ will "become a Gentile".

 

God has a plan for Israel and a plan for us Gentiles.

 

You quoted

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 

This is the body of Christ. We are all a part of the Body of Christ. Also look at this

Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

 

Once all Gentiles are saved and the small remnant of Jews are saved the rapture of the Body of Christ(perfect man) will happen and the Jews will be grafted back in on their own tree. During this dispensation everyone is a part of the Body of Christ once they believe. At the time of the rapture the Body of Christ will be complete.

 

Again I am sorry for the length of this but I needed to explain it the best I could. There is so much more we are told and I see it very clearly.. I know you say once you did too but someone misled you into a different thinking. Again this person who has misled you does not separate the second coming and rapture verses. The rapture was a mystery given to Paul for the Body of Christ which was also a mystery. God foresaw eveything and planned accordingly.

 

thanks

Mike W