Church Beware?

by Dr. Robert Carroll

When I travel around, it never ceases to amaze me when I see how people are prepared to change, ignore basic scriptures to meet the needs of their own ideology. This no more so, than when it comes to distorting the links between the Christian faith and its Jewish roots. The following points are typical examples:

1. Jesus a Palestinian? It may be strange to some, but, Jesus was not a Palestinian as many would have us believe. Jesus was a Jew. His genealogical background, dating back to the Patriarch Abraham is listed in the first seventeen verse of Matthew?s Gospel. But that is not what the Pales?tinian?s are saying or a number of theologians would have us suppose. In the year of Jerusalem?s 3000^th anniversary (1995) and just before Christmas the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, a Moslem, made an his?toric visit to Bethlehem and in front of the world?s media, proclaimed, ?this is the birthplace of our Lord the Messiah, the Palestinian, - the Pales?tinian?. Neither the media nor the church did anything to challenge this brazen lie. (Page 151, The Jerusalem Covenant). How sad it is to see just how many Christians who are willing to go along with the PLO leader by making Jesus a Palestinian.



2. Jesus identified Himself with the Jews. Matthew 25:40-45. ?In as much as you did to the least of one of these, my brethren (Jews) you did it to me?. The point here is that Jesus clearly identified Himself with the Jews. In Matthew 10:6, He gave instructions to first go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. Again, identifying Himself with Israel. John, in the Book of Revelation (5:5), declares this when we read that Jesus, or to give Him His Hebrew name Yeshua is called the ?Lion of the tribe of Judah?. Judah is the title from which the term Jew is taken. Jesus is clearly regarded as being very Jewish!



3. The charge that the Jews crucified Jesus? Frequently, the Jews are charged with bringing about the crucifixion of Jesus. Yet, the truth of the matter is that while the Jews were to be the chosen instrument for bringing about the sacrificial death of Christ Jesus, it was of a divine strat?egy arrangement! It was God?s plan of action. The crucifixion, the shed?ding of blood was, in fact, the final atonement for the sins of the world. Giving man the opportunity to be reconciled to God, through His Son Je?sus Christ. It must not be forgotten that this was part of God?s plan. Jesus gave His life for our salvation (John 3:16, 6:51, 10:15-17, and 15:13). Note John 10:18 ?No one takes it (My life) but I lay it down for myself and I have the power to take it up again?. No one took His life ? He gave it!



4. Salvation through the Jews? Jesus told us that salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22). What did Jesus mean by this statement? Firstly, Israel was to witness to the world of the one true God. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5 and Isaiah 43:10-12). Secondly, they were entrusted with the oracles of God. (Romans 3:2 and Deuteronomy 4:5-6). Thirdly, they would be the nation through which the Messiah would come (Romans 9:5 and 15:8). Fourthly, the early church was certainly almost exclusively Jewish oper?ating on Old Testament principles.



5. Loving thy Neighbor? It?s an odd thing, that through the years and even today, so much anti-Semitism is being raged against both the Jews and Israel - by Christians and in the name of Jesus. In direct viola?tion of His command to love they neighbor (Matthew 19:19)! If the Jews are not amongst our neighbors - then what does the scripture MEAN? With a complete disregard to such scriptures as Isaiah 40:1 ?Comfort, comfort My people says the Lord?.



6. Has God cast away the Jews? A claim which is made and be?lieved by so many within the church today. Paul, also known as Rabbi Shaul or St. Paul makes it crystal clear to the church in Rome, ?Has God cast away His people (the Jews), certainly not? Or God forbid? (Romans 11:1)



7. Romans Chapter 11. The author makes it perfectly clear that the rejection of Israel is but of a temporary nature and uses a language to the church that they should not boast (v. 18). And though we stand by faith, do not be haughty - but fear (v. 20). Why? Because if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either (v. 21).

For those who wish to stand against God?s ancient people, let them be aware, they could be doing the Devil?s work!