DISPENSATIONALISM REFUTED [Part 9] Are the Church and Israel Distinct?

Charles Ryrie, noted Dispensationalist, said that “A dispensationalist keeps Israel and the church distinct" and stressed that "This is probably the most basic theological test of whether or not a person is a dispensationalist.”

So, does the New Testament affirm this notion? Can we find the overwhelming support we might hope for if this is, indeed, what the Scriptures teach?

Hardly. 

Instead, we find the exact opposite. Here in Ephesians chapter 2, starting in verse 11 and going through verse 21 we read that Jews and Gentiles have now been made into one new entity known as the Church.

DISPENSATIONALISM REFUTED [Part 8] - Christ's Kingdom: Now or Later?

 

In this episode, we look at Ephesians Ch. 1: 20-23

Problem: Dispensationalism teaches that Christ came to offer an earthly-political kingdom to Israel, and they rejected it. So, Christ withdrew his offer, postponed the kingdom, and established the Church as a Plan B until the Jewish people are finally ready to accept him as their king so that the Millennial Kingdom may be established.

In short: Dispensationalists argue that Christ is not now reigning as king.

But is that true? Not according to Eph. 1:20-23:

“He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

Click the image above to watch the video, or visit Keith's YouTube channel to view here>

Also, read Keith's blog: "The Kingdom Reality"

DISPENSATIONALISM REFUTED [Part 7] - Slave and Free Women

This "Bonus" episode of the series looks a bit closer at Paul's metaphor in Galatians of the Free Woman [Sarah] and the Slave Woman [Hagar] and how they reflect either those who are the true children of Abraham or merely those who are children by birth or circumcision.

CLICK IMAGE ABOVE OR WATCH ON KEITH'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE>

DISPENSATIONALISM REFUTED [Part 6] Galatians 3-6

In this video, Keith looks at chapters 3-6, especially:

In chapter 4 where Paul shows concern that the Galatians were "observing days and months and seasons and years!" which correspond to Jewish Sabbath days, festivals and feast days.

And also where Paul uses the metaphor of the Slave Woman and the Free Woman to correspond to the Old Covenant [the Law] and the New Covenant [Life in Christ], we look at those distinctions and what they mean for us today.

Keep in mind that Paul ends this epistle by saying: "And as for all who walk by this rule [the New Covenant reality found in Christ], peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God." ch. 6 v. 16

So, the "Israel of God" are those who are in Christ, not those who keep the Law and look to the keeping of feasts, festivals and sabbaths.

DISPENSATIONALISM REFUTED [Part 5] - Galatians 1-3

In this video, Keith looks at the first 3 chapters of Paul's letter to the ekklesia in Galatia.

The entire letter deals mainly with the infiltration of Judaizers in those communities who sought to impose the keeping of the Law - circumcision, observing the Sabbath, celebrating Feasts and Festivals, etc. - upon the early Christian church.

Paul opposes this completely referring in chapter 1 to his own "former life in Judaism" and how he "was advancing in Judaism beyond many of [his] own age..." but all of this was BEFORE he came to know Christ. 

In chapter 2, Paul references his rebuke of Peter who, like himself and the other Jewish Christians in Antioch, was behaving like a Gentile - which was acceptable and right. But when the Jewish Christians from James [in Jerusalem] came to visit, Peter suddenly began to distance himself from the Gentiles [as if they were unclean] and his behavior began to affect the other Jewish Christians in Antioch to do the same. Paul calls out this hypocrisy and reminds Peter, and all the other Jewish Christians, that "by works of the law no one is justified" [v.16]

Finally, in chapter 3 Paul explains that the promises made to Abraham were not to every Jewish person but only to Christ and that anyone who is in Christ is an offspring of Abraham and an heir according to the promise.

CLICK THE IMAGE ABOVE TO WATCH OR VISIT KEITH'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO VIEW IT HERE>

DISPENSATIONALISM REFUTED [PART 1] - Introduction

What is Dispensationalism? Why do so many who believe in it have no idea what it is or where it came from?

Take a few minutes and listen as Keith introduces this new series of videos exploring the most problematic teachings of this relatively new Christian doctrine and why embracing these teachings can lead us off track.

In this video Keith will explain:
*Where does Dispensationalism come from?
*How recently was this doctrine introduced?
*What are the most troublesome teachings of this doctrine?
*How has it become the dominant theology in America today?

The rest of this series will cover:
*Who is Israel according to the New Testament?
*What does it mean to "Bless Israel"?
*Does God still owe any land promises to the nation of Israel today?
*Are there still promises and prophecies regarding the nation of Israel and ethnic jewish people left unfulfilled?

This series will look at Romans, Galatians and Ephesians in detail to refute some of the main tenets of Dispensational Theology.
Click the image above to watch the video, or go here to watch on my YouTube channel>

[Subversive Radio Podcast] The Anabaptists: Pt3. "Jesus Freaks"

Should the Church be composed only of those who actually follow Christ? Or should it include any who desire to attend meetings?
Also: Why is it that some Christian movements are defined by the men who launched them? Why is it we don't know the names of those who first suggested that the Reformation didn't go far enough?