Is God through with the Jew? -- By: Ralph M. Gade

Journal: Grace Journal
Volume: GJ 11:2 (Spring 1970)
Article: Is God through with the Jew?
Author: Ralph M. Gade


Is God through with the Jew?

Ralph M. Gade

Executive Director
American Association for Jewish Evangelism

[This study was presented as part of the Louis S. Bauman Lectureship at Grace Theological Seminary on January 29, 1970.]

My text is taken from Paul’s letter to the Romans, chapter 9, verses 1–5. Bible scholars are agreed that the Roman epistle is probably the greatest treatise ever to come from the pen of man. We bear in mind of course that the apostle was inspired by the Spirit of God. The Roman epistle divides itself into three major divisions. Chapters 1–8 are the doctrinal portion of the epistle setting forth the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. Chapters 9–11 have been referred to as the parenthetical portion of the epistle. In these three chapters Paul deals with Israel. He sets forth her past, present, and future. The last five chapters, 12–16, are the practical portion of the epistle. In these chapters Paul applies the basic Christian doctrines to our everyday Christian living. He insists that, if we have accepted these great truths into our hearts, they should be manifest in our lives. Our lives should be so changed that we would willingly present ourselves as “living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God” (Rom 12:1).

We are concerned primarily with the first five verses that introduce the parenthetical portion of this epistle. In verses 1–3 we have Paul’s Prayer for Israel. In verses 4–5 we have God’s Promises Concerning Israel. The late Dr. Alva J. McClain refers to these verses as “The Jewish Problem.” The problem was not with the Word of God, nor the apostle Paul, but in the minds of Christian men and women. These Christians had listened to the apostle set forth the great doctrines of the Christian faith. These doctrines were Church doctrines and do not refer to God’s dealings with His people Israel. Israel was an earthly people—the Church is a heavenly people. The apostle makes it plain that our “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). The teachings of Paul presented a problem to the early Christians. Many of them were well acquainted with the O.T. teachings concerning Israel. They had looked forward to the

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