When the passage is taken in context, it states:
But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” 8That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9For this is the word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.” (Romans 9:6-9)
It has nothing to do with Gentile believers or the Church because Gentile believers and the Church are not the "children of promise". That title belongs to the descendants of Abraham and Isaac. The true Israel is the assembly of Jewish believers.
Great post!
You just cited this, but failed to get it. "They that are children of the flesh, these are NOT the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed."
"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." (Galatians 3:16)
"For ye are all 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 or female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, the are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise". (Galatians 3:26-29).
See also Galatians 4:22-31.
It's an epistle to the saints at Rome. They are gentiles.
Hmmm..not sure about that.
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—
Eph 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Gentiles have no hope and were (are) without God. Strangers to the covenants, which were to Israel, and to the commonwealth of Israel.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Gentiles were far from any of these but because of the sacrifice of Christ become partakers of the promises to Israel.
Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
There's no separation between Israel and gentiles who enter into the promises to Israel through Christ.
Hmmm..not sure about that.
Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—
Eph 2:12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Gentiles have no hope and were (are) without God. Strangers to the covenants, which were to Israel, and to the commonwealth of Israel.
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Gentiles were far from any of these but because of the sacrifice of Christ become partakers of the promises to Israel.
Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
There's no separation between Israel and gentiles who enter into the promises to Israel through Christ.
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,
Rom 9:4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;
Again everything applies to Israel. Gentiles gain access through Christ.
And that's consistent with whom the new covenant pertains:
Heb_8:8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT—
Who is the new covenant made with? According to the word of God the new covenant is made with the houses of Israel and Judah. Gentiles join these households, the Israel of God, when they enter into the new covenant through Christ.
It has nothing to do with Gentile believers or the Church because Gentile believers and the Church are not the "children of promise". That title belongs to the descendants of Abraham and Isaac. The true Israel is the assembly of Jewish believers.
Ahem. My tagline, again.
It is those who are of faith that are children of Abraham.
Deal with it.
I've really been enjoying going through this study. I thought it might be nice to post these threads because anyone interested in Replacement Theology can go to a keyword search and read them.