Christianity--Church History/Israel & the Church!

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Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 11/26/2006


Question
I read an article on the Replacement Theology on GotQuestions.org.  I am copying portions of the article below:
Quote
The Church (Christians) is completely different and distinct from Israel, and the two are never to be confused or used interchangeably.  The Church has no relationship to the curses and blessings for Israel. The covenants, promises, and warnings are valid only for Israel.
Unquote

Is the above true? If yes, then what difference does the OT make to a gentile like me who accepted Christ? I have been taught and believed that all the promises in OT such as "I will never leave you nor forsake you" belonged to all believers of Christ.

Please clarify.

Answer
Lenin,

Please forgive me for the late reply. I will do my best to answer your question.

I would disagree with this article when it says "...the two are never to be confused or used interchangeably..." and "The covenants, promises, and warnings are valid only for Israel."

The Church (which is made up of those of us who have repented from our sins and accepted and confesses Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour) is defined in the New Testament as...

Rom. 4:16
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Gal. 3:29
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Therefor as we are the seed of Abraham through faith, then those promises,covenants, and warnings in the Old Testament apply to us also. However, those promises,covenants, and warnings are only applicable to the Believer as they are carried over from the OT into the NT.
For example...

OT: animal sacrifice for sins.
NT: Christ fulfilled this by becoming the final sacrfice for sins.

OT: gentiles were considered unclean.
NT: all who believe in Jesus are the same.

So then if the covenants, promises, and warnings were not done away with or addressed in the NT then they are to be carried over into the NT for the Christian.
For example...
Tithing and giving offerings
Praise and worship with instruments

Please let me know if this helps, or if you have any further questions.
Elder Greg Madden  

Christianity--Church History

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Elder Greg Madden

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As a born again, Holy Ghost filled minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I am available to answer questions concerning most all Biblical doctrines, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit, "Pentecostal/Apostolic" issues, and the history of the Pentecostal movement. For more info check out our web site at...
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I gave my heart to the Lord a few months after being married during a revival meeting. A few weeks later I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and I have not been the same since! In those twenty five years we have only attended one church (Harvest Church), and there I have served there as an Elder for fourteen years. We minister in song with the choir and worship team. I am also the new member’s class coordinator, men's ministry director, and the Harvest Riders motorcycle ministry president. In 1993 the Lord called me to "...preach the Gospel where ever I open the door..." I have had the privilege of ministering God's Word to churches in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. In those meetings we have seen the Lord save, heal, deliver, and fill people will His Spirit.

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I am ordained through Harvest Church, and with the World Harvest Ministerial Fellowship. I also am a licensed minister with the State of Oklahoma,

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I am currantly enrolled with the Ames Bible College.

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I am currantly enrolled with the Ames Bible College.

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