Replacement Theology?

It is often proposed that the Reformed position of Covenant Theology teaches the Replacement of Israel by the Church. Obviously, such a position would lead to anti-Semitism and a lack of evangelism toward ethnic Jews. But does the Bible teach Replacement theology?

The first thing that needs to be addressed is that Israel is not replaced or superseded by the Church. Neither is the “Church age” a parenthetical dispensation unknown to the prophets of Israel. God’s council and plan is immutable. The over arching theme of the covenants demonstrate that God has a unified purpose that continues into the Church age. So what are we to believe about the relationship between Israel and the Church? Are they separate economies or a unified body of the people of God?

Nobody likes to be misrepresented, but frankly this happens constantly to those who line up in the Reformed camp. It needs to be noted that Covenant Theology does not teach the replacement of Israel, but the expansion of Israel. In the new covenant, the people of God are those who belong to Christ. Galatians 3:29 tells us, “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” In this same manner, Ephesians 2:11-22 says that those who are “in Christ” are no longer excluded from the commonwealth of Israel or it’s covenants and promises. Christ has taken people from every tongue, tribe, and nation and made them into one body; the church. This church includes Israel as Romans 11 tells us that God always keeps a remnant of Israelites. Not only this, but Romans 11:17 says that Gentiles are grafted into the same olive tree. Clearly, the New Testament teaches us that both Jews are Gentiles are being made into the same body, a body whose roots are in the olive tree of Israel.

Further demonstration of the Church being included in Israel (as opposed to replacing it) ought to be noted. 1 Peter 2:9-10 teaches that the Church is “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,” and “the people of God.” Each of these assertions are exclusive to Israel in the Old Testament. Why would Peter use such language to the Church? Peter tells us the reason in verse five when he says that we are “like living stones being built up as a spiritual house” with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage then applies to all those who are built upon Christ.

Perhaps the major reason why Dispensationalists are afraid to allow the Church to be included in Israel is because they believe that the Old Testament assigns certain promises specifically to ethnic Israel. It is also believed that this present “Church age” was not foreseen by the prophets but was added parenthetically in God’s overall plan. Dispensationalists believe that eventually God will restore Israel and all the previous prophecies will be literally fulfilled to them. However, this is maintained from a failure to understand these promises being fulfilled in Christ. The promises made to Abraham were fulfilled in Christ, as Galatians 3:16 says; “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ.” All the promises made to Abraham were fulfilled in Christ.

The same can be said of the Mosaic and Davidic covenants. Christ fulfilled all the requirements of the Mosaic Law by living a perfect life without failing at all. Christ has also fulfilled the Davidic covenant. Although Dispensationalists believe that Christ is not reigning on the throne of David at the present time, but will do so during his millennial reign, the NT writers clearly portray Christ fulfilling this role. Luke 1:32 says, “And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." More importantly, in Acts 2:30-32 Peter says that David prophesied about Christ sitting on his throne.

“Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus, God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God…”

When Christ was exalted to the right hand of God, he fulfilled the Davidic promise. The present reign of Christ, though often overlooked, is one that is taught all throughout the New Testament. Now, what about the mysterious aspects of the Church? If Christ has fulfilled these things, as suggested, can it still be demonstrated that the prophets foresaw the church age?

Dispensationalists believe that the present church age is a mystery unknown to the prophets. Some have even referred to it as a “parenthesis” in God’s plan for Israel. If this were true, then the Church would have began at Pentecost, rather than starting with Abraham. Although there are significant blessings unique to the new covenant (i.e. the presence of the Holy Spirit), the prophets most certainly looked forward to this age. Acts 3:24 tells us, “And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.” The important thing about this assertion is that it is speaking of the present age since it is after Pentecost! The Spirit has already come and Peter says that the prophets foresaw this.

To reiterate, the Church has not replaced Israel, but is included into Israel. The reason for this is because Christ has bought the Church. To belong to Christ is to belong to Abraham (Gal 3:29). Christ has fulfilled all the promises that were made to Israel because he is the true Israel. He obeyed all the requirements of the Mosaic Law and is currently reigning from the right hand of the throne of God. The present age is not the result of a “parenthesis” in God’s plan, but is the fulfillment of all of the shadows and types presented from the previous Covenants that God initiated with Israel.

What about the New Covenant? At the Last Supper Jesus spoke in Covenantal terms when he said that the New Covenant was in his blood. Is the New Covenant a present reality, or something that God is postponing for a future restoration of Israel? The covenant prophesied in Jeremiah 31 was said to be made to “the House of Israel” and “the House of Judah.” This leads Dispensationalists to postpone this prophecy to the millennial reign of Christ in which Israel will be fully restored, although a few Dispensationalists might contend that some of the effects of this covenant are presently felt. The author of Hebrews, however, quotes the passage from Jeremiah 31 and applies it directly to the present age. Hebrews 8:7-13 clearly teaches that Christ brought the New Covenant for the present age. It needs to be noted then that the Church is included into this prophecy, which was originally made to Israel. This is not because the Church has replaced Israel, but because Israel has expanded. Once again, although the Church exists primarily of Gentiles, ethnic Jews are also members of the same body by faith in Christ.

Before concluding, it is important to note that the Bible does teach a universal “re-grafting” of Israel at the end of the age. Paul tells us in Romans 11:11 that Israel did not stumble so as to fall. There is a partial hardening to the Gospel of Jesus Christ at this present time, but before Christ comes back, All Israel will be saved (Ro 11:25-26). This inclusion of ethnic Israel will be an eschatological event in which a lot of Jews come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There is no room for Replacement Theology in the Bible, however Israel has most certainly expanded to include Gentiles. Truly this is indicative in God’s promise to Abraham that “in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen 12:3). It is because of the promises made to Abraham that Gentiles have been included into Israel, without replacing the foundation upon which they stand.