[Biblemat] A) QUESTION AND ANSWER

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  A very good Tuesday
morning to each and everyone.  May God bless you and yours.
Here is a question and answer from my files:

QUESTION AND ANSWER

     Question: -- Would you please explain the meaning of Rom. 11:26?  I have 
a friend who believes, based on this verse, that God will save all of Israel, 
whether they believe in
Jesus or not.

     Answer: -- The theme of the entire book of Romans is that
we are justified (saved) by faith in Jesus Christ.  The inpired
apostle Paul writes, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for
it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believ-
eth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Rom. 1:16).  He
emphasizes throughout the 9th and 10th chapters that both
Israel and the Gentiles will be saved in the same way: "For
there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same
Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon Him; for,
Whsoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall 
they call on Him in whom they have
not believed?" (Rom. 10:12-14).

     In chapter 11, the apostle uses the example of the olive
tree, with Israel being the "natural branches" and the Gentiles
the "grafted in branches."  Notice, then, his application, as
he speaks to the Gentiles: "Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, 
that I might be grafted in.  Well; by their un-
belief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith.
Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natur-
al branches, neither will He spare thee.  Behold then the good-
ness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but
toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in His good-
ness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.  And they also, if
they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to 
graft them in again" (Rom. 11:19-23).

     Notice that he says that Israel was "broken off" because
of unbelief.  And Gentiles were "grafted in" because of their
faith.  The Jews can again be grafted in, but only if they "con-
tinue not in their unbelief."  In other words, God will save Israel and 
Gentiles in exactly the same way: through faith in
Jesus Christ.  That is then affirmed in the direct statement in
Rom. 11:26, "And so all Israel shall be saved."  God saves the
Gentiles in exactly the same way: through faith in, and "so" (an adverb which 
describes means or manner) all Israel shall
be saved.  We have used the American Standard Version in
this article, but other versions bear out the above explanation
"And thus all Israel shall be saved" (NASB).  "So in that way
shall all Israel will be saved" (Williams Translation).  "And in 
this same way all Israel will be saved" (Beck Translation).

     All of this shows that both Jews and Gentiles will be saved
in the same way -- through faith in Jesus Christ.  Israel can
be saved through faith in Christ, ans so all Gentiles shall be
saved.  In other words, in the exact same way.  God doesn't
say that He will save all Israel, whether or not they believe.
He plainly declares throughout the book of Romans that He
will not save anyone who does not beleive.  He is declaring
the same in Rom. 11:26 -- both Jews and Gentiles will be sav-
ed through faith, or they will not be saved at all.  --------------
Clem Thurman in Gospel Minutes, Vol. 55, No. 51, Dec. 22, 
2006.
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