Author: Sam

The Catholic Church boasts that their Church is validated by post-apostolic “doctors of the Church” and history and archaeology, etc., etc., yet the most famous historian in Rome who lived from 37 AD to 101 AD is Josephus and HE NEVER MENTIONED PETER IN ROME. 

Was Peter ever the ruler of the church? Of any church any time, any place? Not that anybody knows of. The pastor and leader of the church at Jerusalem was James, the Lord’s brother (Acts_12:17; 15: 13-21; 21:18;Gal_2:9.) This Scriptural account of James is confirmed by Josephus in his Antiquities XX, 9,1, where James’ martyrdom is described. Josephus never heard of Simon Peter, but the Jewish historian knows all about the faithful pastor and leader of the Christian church in Jerusalem.

Roman Catholicism says Peter was the the bishop at Rome from 42 A.D. to 67 A.D, when he was crucified under Nero.

What we have here if Peter was in Rome during those years, is that the New Testament is not reliable.

Sometime during those days Peter made his missionary journey through the western part of Judea, to Lydda, to Joppa, to Caesarea, and back to Jerusalem (Acts 9, 10, 11). Then came the imprisonment under Herod Agrippa I and the miraculous deliverance by the angel of the Lord (Acts 12). Peter then “went down from Judea to Caesarea and there abode” (Acts 12:19). Herod Agrippa died not long after these events (Acts 12:20-23). Josephus says that the death of Agrippa occurred in the fourth year of the reign of Claudius. This would be about 45 A.D., and Peter is still in Palestine.

1. Peter returns the visit and goes to Antioch where Paul is working. This occasioned the famous interview between the two recorded in Galatians 2:11-14. Peter is still in the Orient, not in Rome.

2. After 54 A.D., and after the Antioch visit, the Apostle Peter makes an extensive missionary journey or journeys throughout the Roman provinces of the East. On these missionary tours Peter takes his wife (I Cor. 9:5). They labor in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. This must have taken several years since this is a large territory and a larger work/ministry. This would take us, therefore, to at least 60 A.D., and Peter and his wife are still not in Rome but in the East.

3. In about 58 A.D. Paul wrote a letter to the church at Rome. In the last chapter of that epistle, Paul salutes twenty-seven persons, but he never mentions Simon Peter. If Peter was “governing” the church at Rome, why doesn’t Paul mention Peter?

Romans 1:13 shows that the church at Rome was a Gentile church. At the Jerusalem conference (Gal. 2:9), it was agreed that Peter should go to the Jews and Paul to the Gentiles.

The gospel ministry of Paul was motivated  by a statement he makes in Romans 15:20: “Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation.” Something similar he repeats in I Corinthians 10:15,16. Having written this to the brethren at Rome, it would have been contradictory for Paul to go to Rome if Peter were already there, or had been there for years.

4. Paul’s first Roman imprisonment took place about 60 A.D. to 64 A.D. from his prison the Apostle to the Gentiles wrote four letters – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon. In these letters he mentions many of his fellow Christians who are in the city, but he never once refers to Simon Peter.

5. Paul’s second Roman imprisonment brought him martyrdom. This occurred about 67 A.D. Just before he died Paul wrote a letter to Timothy, our “II Timothy.” In that final letter the apostle mentions many people but plainly says that “only Luke is with me.” There is never a reference to Peter.

I have now covered the years of 42 A.D. to 67 A.D., the years Peter is supposed to have been the prince and bishop and ruler of the church at Rome. Yet, there is not even a “peep” that this suggestion is even remotely true. The New Testament denies such fictitious stories.

Peter was never in Rome. Nor was he ruler over any church. Nor did he have any keys to give to anybody else to hand down to others. He was a stone, one out of many with which God is building His spiritual house in earth and in heaven.

Part 1 – Did the Apostle Peter Ever Go To Rome

1. A seal can be broken.

   “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,” (Eph 1:13)

   Paul’s is using an analogy of a “sealed document” back then. When you sealed a document, you sealed it with wax and it was sealed until it was delivered to the proper recipient. Paul was using an analogy of an inheritance in a legal will, which would have been properly witnessed and sealed by a representative of the Roman government.
   When a document like this is received, the first thing that is observed is whether or not the seal is intact. If the seal was broken then the representative would know that some tampering occurred and the document would be considered void and the inheritance denied.

   This is Paul’s analogy. We must protect our covenant with God and not seek to break the seal of the Holy Spirit. A GREAT Official (Holy Spirit) seals the document but a common citizen (Believer) may break the seal.

   Was it possible for a Roman citizen to break the wax seal? Of course it was. This is also true of one who breaks the seal of the Holy Spirit. That is why blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is the only sin that cannot be forgiven. If you look at various verses that speak of falling away, you will see that this sin against the Holy Spirit is linked to Apostasy.

   For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Heb 6:4-6)

   Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Heb 10:29)

   This is why Paul warned us not to tamper with our seal.

   And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Eph 4:30)

   This is a big problem with Christendom, today. A false security is being preached. Once sealed, always sealed. The Word of God does not agree nor support that. Remember, these letters are written to Followers of Christ. The Early Church did not believe OSAS.

   Here are some examples:
   Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. (1 Tim 1:19-20)

   Paul warned Timothy to guard his faith. He stated clearly that some had abandoned their faith and shipwrecked. Then he named two acquaintances, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who became apostates by blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

   Did you know that the Word of God says that our faith can be overthrown?

   “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” (2 Tim 2:16-18)

   Hymenaeus was not content to make shipwreck of his own faith. Now, we find him teaching false doctrine [eschatology] and thereby overthrowing the faith of others. Sounds like he was teaching Preterism.

   “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; …” (2 Tim 4:10)

   Paul warned Timothy extensively about the lure of materialism. Apparently, many believers had quit and become entangled in the lust for money.

   “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after,they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Tim 6:10)

   This brings to mind the parable of the Sower. Remember, some fell among “thorns.” Jesus said the “thorns” were the cares of this world and the love of money, which after the seed has sprouted, and begun to grow, they choke the Word, and the plant dies.

   These examples of Christians who’s faith failed because of a love of money or power demonstrate thatthe warnings in Scripture about falling away are real.

   Here is a conditional promise. Can you tell me what the condition is?
   “Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 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.” (Rom 11:20-22)

   That little word “IF”, makes a big difference, doesn’t it?

   Can you point out the condition in this verse?
   “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, IFye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” (1 Cor 15:1-2)

   There’s that pesky little word “IF”, again.
   (Looks like their salvation is linked to perseverance. Kind of like, “he that endures to the end will be saved. Matt 24).

   “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: IF ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;” (Col 1:21-23)

   Again, we find this in the Scriptures. Another conditional statement. That little word “IF” messes things up again!!

   “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, IF we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;” (Heb 3:12-14)

   “IF”, once again. There are many of these in the Scriptures. You may want to look them up.

   So, I don’t know how you explain Scriptures like these away. I’m sure there is an “explanation” somewhere. But it looks like UNBELIEF will surely ruin us. It is after all, the opposite of FAITH. But what this passage reveals, is that it can happen to a Believer. A hard heart leads to unbelief and unbelief leads to departing from God.

   We will be made partakers with Christ IF we hold our initial confidence [or faith] until the end.

   “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape,if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;” (Heb 2:1-3)

   I’m really surprised that people do not see these conditional statements in the Scriptures. But, I think the man-made doctrines have blinded them and made these scriptures of “no effect”. Commandments and traditions of men have captured people’s hearts so that they have become idols in their hearts and they are no longer open to truth.

   “Neglect” is treating something that is precious, casually. It is carelessness. Unfortunately, this is the state of many Christians today. Yet, they think they are in no danger. That is because a false Gospel of false security is being preached and the reason why you cannot tell the difference between the world and the church, today.

   “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;(Who are the brethren that James is talking to?)
   Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)

   The only death that does not hide a multitude of sins is eternal death, not physical death. Because after physical death, we will all be judged.

   Of course people think up all manner of explanations why people fall away. The main one is that they were never saved to begin with. That does not cohere with the preponderance of scriptures. What I have outlined for you does agree with the preponderance of Scripture and experience. Too many of us have known truly born-again people who have departed from the faith. If your man-made doctrine says that cannot happen, then it is convenient to say, “they were never born-again”.

Man is a spiritual being and because modern philosophy has sought to ignore this fact, most of today’s approach to solving man’s problems is inadequate or temporary. I believe there are spiritual answers for a spiritual man, and God’s Spirit can reach down inside of man and bring forth an integration of his being when there has been a continual disintegration.

There are spiritual concepts which deal with basic problems that trouble people. Being a Christian does not automatically solve these problems, but most certainly places one in the position to receive help. That help comes through a proper understanding of Satan and his works, and understanding of one’s self and an understanding of God and His provision to meet every need of man.

Salvation is our entrance into the family of God. It is also our deliverance from sin and the penalty of sin. It is our deliverance from “Egypt” and God desires to bring us into a “good land”. The Lord does not just want us to be satisfied with Salvation. He has a land that He wants to bring us into and this land must be taken. Along with delivering us from the penalty of sin, He desires to also heal us from the effects of sin and bring us into a land of blessing and fruitfulness. God’s Word instructs us that what God has given to His Church, His Church must reach out and appropriate/take by faith.

Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. (Deu 1:8)

Too many today are delivered from Egypt but are “suffering and dying in the wilderness” without possessing that which has been given to them.

It is the Lord’s desire to bring healing to His people, to break severe bondages, release people to live in acceptance and love and bring people to self-acceptance and identity releasing them from the hurts of the past.

In short, it is God’s desire for man to be a total man — free to relate to others and free to relate to God. This is the land that God wants to bring us into.

And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. (Isa 58:12)

The Church has occupied a rather passive role as if it has a defeated attitude in the face of the enemy that rules in the world. I believe God is saying to His Church, “Rise up and rule in the midst of your enemies!” The god of this world has established his strongholds and authorities in the land. I believe the word that came to Israel through Moses is the word for the Church today,
“Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land…” (Deut. 1:8)

A passive attitude will not conquer and possess. Consequently, the enemy remains in the land and God’s people suffer. It is never God’s will for His people to suffer from the oppression of the enemy. God wants His people to be a victorious people: a strong people that can determine the will of God and take direction rather than being directed by a turn of events. He wants a people that will magnify the Name of the Lord–who has made Him their strong Tower, their Refuge, their Shield, their Covering and their Conqueror.

In God’s Word we can find encouragement to do battle with the enemy and to arise to enter into all of God’s provisions promised to His people. There are areas of the mind that that keep God’s people from rising up in the Lord and entering in. Deception and Passivity are two major areas in which the enemy works.

God wants a free people that will possess ALL the land.  

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (2Co 10:4)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1Pe 5:8)

Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1Pe 5:9)

Here are more scriptures that dispensational Christians ignore. Let the Bible speak!

OLD TESTAMENT VERSES REFERRING TO ISRAEL WHICH ARE QUOTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT AS REFERRING TO THE CHRISTIANS

Who are the people of God?
– Lev. 26:11,12, Eze. 37:27, 2 Cor. 6:16

The Word is nigh thee. The choice between life and death.
– Deut. 30:12-14, Rom. 10:6-8

I will never leave you nor forsake you.
– Deut. 31:6, Heb. 13:5

The Lord shall judge His people
– Deut. 32:36, Psa. 135:14, Heb. 10:30

I will declare Thy name unto my brethren.
– Psa. 22:22, Heb. 2:12

For Thy sake we are killed all the day long
– Psa. 44:22, Rom. 8:36

Harden not your hearts, else ye shall not enter into My rest.
– Psa. 95:7-11, Heb. 3:7-11

He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities, purify for himself a peculiar people (Church)
– Psa. 130:8, Tit. 2:14

Behold, I lay in Zion a tried stone, whosoever believeth shall not be ashamed
– Isa. 28:16, Rom. 10:11, Eph. 2:20, 1 Pet. 2:6

Today, is the acceptable Day of Salvation
– Isa. 49:8, 2 Cor. 6:2

The GOSPEL! How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him…bringeth good tidiings
– Isa. 52:7, Rom. 10:15

Rejoice thou barren that barest not…
– Isa. 54:1, Gal. 4:27

I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel…and house of Judah
– Jer. 31:31-34, Heb. 8:8-12

Which were once not my people are now my people.
– Hos. 1:10; 2:23, Rom. 9:25-26, 1 Pet. 2:10

I will ransom them from death, O death where is thy sting?
– Hos. 13:14, 1 Cor. 15:55

Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved.
– Joel. 2:32, Rom. 10:13

A long time ago there were some people who were wanderers on the earth. They had a dream and a vision to find a place and establish themselves as a people who worshipped God and who experienced unity amongst themselves. So, they found a beautiful land and with much hard work and self-sacrifice they began to realize their dream as it unfolded day by day.

It would be hard to deny that these people did not know something of the heart and purpose of God. In the last book of the Bible we see that God is ultimately after a city. Abraham knew this and he spent his life searching for that city.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:8-11

I think it would be difficult to fault these people whose motives seemed so noble. However, they had one shortcoming. God had neither commanded nor requested them to build a city for Himself. Therefore, it is not surprising that when these people built, they built with man-made bricks instead of God-made stone. When God, the MasterBuilder wants something built, He equips and instructs His people as to how He builds. His methods and His materials. Man’s work always looks like man and is detestable in the sight of God. “…for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15b

God eventually stopped the construction of the “holy” city on the plain of Shinar. The place later became known as Babel. Most people forget that it did not start out as Babel. It began as a city with a tower that would reach into the heavens – to God. It is easy to sit back and judge them as a people with some evil imagination in their hearts. Afterall, when people think of Babel they usually think of the worst when it comes to the people that were involved. Pagan, evil, sinister, etc. The fact is, they were people like you and me with ideas, plans and designs for doing something for God. Isn’t it amazing that almost every church building today has a tower reaching to the heavens.

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: Psalm 127:1a.

by John Saunders

One thing I like about Paul is that he wanted men to observe his walk and follow his example as “he followed Christ”. Just like Jesus who said “learn of me”, Paul could say essentially the same. “Follow me as I follow Christ”. 

With men, more is caught than taught. We observe much more than the words that a man speaks. Paul had the walk to back up his talk. 

People are more apt to listen to you if they know you have the walk. Paul was greatly concerned about being a castaway (no one listening to him). Our words will have no impact if our life does not match them. A teacher and preacher without an audience is most miserable and Paul knew this. 

1Co_9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Today, there are many that preach and teach but are only “castaways”, because they don’t have the example. 

Lord, help us not only to be “hearers of your word” but “doers”, also. 

Everyone agrees that the resurrection depicted in Ezekiel 37 is a “national” resurrection. In other words Israel experienced national and covenantal “death” when she was scattered from her land and experiences a “resurrection” when she is restored back into the land. Again, like chapter 36, this prophecy was partially fulfilled through typology when the two houses of Israel came back into the land under the restoration and leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah. However, both chapters contain elements of Messiah’s work of salvation (the anti-type) with the coming Messianic New Covenant.

Ezekiel 37:22-28 discusses the coming New Covenant King/Shepherd who would cause: 

1) His people to possess the land, 

2) establish an everlasting covenant of peace with them, 

3) multiply them, and 

4) “sanctify” them by establishing His “sanctuary” and “tabernacle” in their midst forever. 

Oddly in seeking to idolatrize the Dispensational Zionist system, this group actually believes that promises made to OT Israel (such as these NT promises) cannot be fulfilled in and through the NT Church. These are amazing claims and anyone reading the NT can know without a shadow of doubt that they are false.  Here are some of these claims from leading Dispensationalist theologians:

Lewis Sperry Chafer. “That the Christian now inherits the distinctive Jewish promises is not taught in Scripture.”

Dwight Pentecost. “…it would be impossible for the church to fulfill God’s promises made to Israel.”

Charles C. Ryrie. “The church is not fulfilling in any sense the promises to Israel.”       

                                                                                                                                                                      Let’s see if the Scriptures back up these claims:

“OLD TESTAMENT TITLES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ISRAEL WHICH ARE, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, REFERRED TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (This section is taken from The Church Is Israel Now, By Charles D. Provan

THE BELOVED OF GOD

A) Israel Is Beloved Of God:

– Ex. 15:13, Deut. 33:3, Ezra 3:11

B) Disobedient Israel Is Not Beloved Of God:

– Lev. 3:16, Jer. 12:8, Jer. 16:5, Hos. 9:15

C) Christians Are Beloved Of God:

– Rom. 9:25, Eph. 5:1, Col. 3:12, 1 John 3:1

THE CHILDREN OF GOD

A) Israel Are The Children Of God:

– Ex. 4:22, Deut. 14:1, Isa. 1:2,4, Isa. 1:2,4, Isa. 63:8, Hos. 11:1

B) Disobedient Israel Are Not The Children Of God:

– Deut. 32:5, John 8:39, 42, 44

C) Christians Are The Children Of God:

– John 1:12, John 11:52, Rom. 8:14,16, 2 Cor. 6:18, Gal. 3:26, Gal. 4:5,6,7, Phil. 2:15, 1 John 3:1

THE FIELD OF GOD

A) Israel Is The Field Of God:

– Jer. 12:10

B) Christians Are The Field Of God:

– 1 Cor. 3:9

THE FLOCK OF GOD AND OF THE MESSIAH

A) Israel Is The Flock Of God And Of The Messiah:

– Psa. 78:52, Psa. 80:1, Isa. 40:11, Jer. 23:1,2,3, Jer. 31:10, Eze. 34:12,15,16, Mic. 5:4, Zec. 10:3

B) Christians Are The Flock Of God And Of The Messiah:

– John 10:14,16, Heb. 13:20, 1 Pet. 2:25, 1 Pet. 5:2,3

THE HOUSE OF GOD

A) Israel Is The House Of God:

– Num. 12:7

B) Christians Are The House Of God:

– 1 Tim. 3:15, Heb. 3:2,5,6, Heb. 10:21, 1 Pet. 4:17

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

A) Israel Is The Kingdom Of God:

– Ex. 19:6, 1 Chr. 17:14, 1 Chr. 28:5

B) Disobedient Israel Is Not The Kingdom Of God:

– Matt. 8:11,12, Matt. 21:43

C) Christians Are The Kingdom Of God:

– Rom. 14:17, 1 Cor. 4:20, Col. 1:13, Col. 4:11, Rev. 1:6

THE PEOPLE OF GOD

A) The Israelites Are The People Of God:

– Ex. 6:7, Deut. 27:9, 2 Sam. 7:23, Jer. 11:4

B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The People Of God:

– Hos. 1:9, Jer. 5:10

C) The Christians Are The People Of God:

– Rom. 9:25, 2 Cor. 6:16, Eph. 4:12, Eph. 5:3, 2 Th. 1:10, Tit. 2:14

THE PRIESTS OF GOD

A) The Israelites Are The Priests Of God:

– Ex. 19:6

B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Priests Of God:

– 1 Sam. 2:28,30, Lam. 4:13,16, Eze. 44:10,13, Hos. 4:6, Mal. 2:2,4,8,9

C) The Christians Are The Priests Of God:

– 1 Pet. 2:5,9, Rev. 1:6, Rev. 5:10       

                                                                                                                                                                        
THE WIFE (OR BRIDE) OF GOD

A) Israel Is The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:

– Isa. 54:5,6, Jer. 2:2, Eze. 16:32, Hos. 1:2

B) Disobedient Israelites Is Not The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:

– Jer. 3:8, Hos. 2:2

C) The Christians Are The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:

– 2 Cor. 11:2, Eph. 5:31,32

THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM

A) The Israelites Are The Children Of Abraham:

– 2 Chr. 20:7, Psa. 105:6, Isa. 41:8

B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Children Of Abraham:

– John 8:39, Rom. 9:6,7, Gal. 4:25,30

C) The Christians Are The Children Of Abraham:

– Rom. 4:11,16, Gal. 3:7,29, Gal. 4:23,28,31

THE CHOSEN PEOPLE

A) The Israelites Are The Chosen People:

– Deut. 7:7, Deut. 10:15, Deut. 14:2, Isa. 43:20,21

B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Chosen People:

– Deut. 31:17, 2 Ki. 17:20, 2 Chr. 25:7, Psa. 78:59, Jer. 6:30, Jer. 7:29, Jer. 14:10

C) The Christians Are The Chosen People:

– Col. 3:12, 1 Pet. 2:9

THE CIRCUMCISED

A) The Israelites Are The Circumcised:

– Gen. 17:10, Jud. 15:18

B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Circumcised:

– Jer. 9:25,26, Rom. 2:25,28, Phil. 3:2

C) The Christians Are The Circumcised:

– Rom. 2:29, Phil. 3:3, Col. 2:11

ISRAEL

A) Israel is Israel

B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not Israelites:

– Num. 15:30,31, Deut. 18:19, Acts 3:23, Rom. 9:6

C) The Christians Are Israel:

– John 11:50,51,52, 1 Cor. 10:1, Gal. 6:15,16, Eph. 2:12,19

JERUSALEM

A) Jerusalem Is the City And Mother Of Israel:

– Psa. 149:2, Isa. 12:6, Isa. 49:18,20,22, Isa. 51:18, Lam. 4:2

B) Jerusalem Is The City And Mother Of Christians:

– Gal. 4:26, Heb. 12:22

THE JEWS

A) Israelites Are Jews

– Ezr. 5:1, Jer. 34:8,9, Zech. 8:22,23

B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not Jews:

– Rom. 2:28, Rev. 2:9, Rev. 3:9

C) The Christians Are Jews:

– Rom. 2:29

THE NEW COVENANT

A) The New Covenant Is With Israel:

– Jer. 31:31,33

B) The New Covenant Is With The Christians:

– Luke 22:20, 1 Cor. 11:25, 2 Cor. 3:6, Heb. 8:6,8,10

AN OLIVE TREE

A) Israel Is An Olive Tree:

– Jer. 11:16, Hos. 14:6

B) The Christians Are An Olive Tree:

– Rom. 11:24