Who or what is the new creation, the Israel of God found at Gal 6:15, 16? Jehovah's Witnesses; Trinitarians and others.?
2020-03-13T20:49:57Z
Malcolm:
Phil 3:3 “For we are those with the real circumcision, we who are rendering sacred service by God’s spirit and boasting in Christ Jesus and who do not base our confidence in the flesh,” Rom 2:28, 29“For he is not a Jew who is one on the outside, nor is circumcision something on the outside, on the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one on the inside, and his circumcision is that of the heart by spirit and not by a written code. That person’s praise comes from God, not from people.”
2020-03-13T20:56:13Z
Excellent verses, but notice:
To the Jews Jesus says: “This is why I [Jesus] say to you [fleshly Jews], the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation [new creation, the Israel of God] producing its fruits.” Matt 21:43
Peter tells us: “But you are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation [the Israel of God], a people for special possession,. . .” 1 Pet 2:9
Again the main point of my question is: Who or what is the Israel of God, that Paul is talking about?
Ginosko922020-03-13T15:11:43Z
Favorite Answer
Hello TeeM,
the new creation is in reference to the Israel of God in vs 16. It's new because the natural nation of Israel, who was in line for receiving the privilege of being kings and priests along with Christ, rejected him as the Messiah and therefore lost that privilege (See Matt. 21:43). That opened the door to faithful Jews and Gentiles that were selected among all the nations as first fruits to be part of that arrangement. (Rev. 14:4)
These first fruits constitute a small group of individuals, compared to a great crowd that no man could number that will live on earth, who are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people for special possession". (1 Pet. 2:9). These ones will rule in heaven with Christ over the earth. (Rev 5:10)
When Jesus was baptised in 29CE,he was the first of a new creation, anointed to do God’s will. Later, on the basis of his sacrificial death, Jesus became the Mediator of a new covenant between God and a select group of men. Each of these has become “a new creation,” begotten by God’s spirit to a heavenly hope, with the prospect of ruling with Jesus in his heavenly Kingdom.—2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:5, 6; Hebrews 9:15. Individually, its members, ultimately number 144,000. - Revelation 14:1,3
"The Israel of God" is "The God" of "the members of the body of Christ" (I Corinthians 12:11-12)
Who have (((ALL))) been "baptized into One Spirit" (I Corinthians 12:13)
Who are "the Children of Israel" [Romans 8:16] and "are [Spiritual] Jews"
28 "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Romans 2:28-29).
We become "new creatures" after baptism with the Holy Ghost (Romans 6:3-4)!
" Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water [Mother's water; I Corinthians 15:46] and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God" (John 3:5)!
"I will sprinkle (((CLEAN))) water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you [I John 1:7]. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and (((CAUSE))) you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules" (Ezekiel 36:25-27)!
"But now, O LORD, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand" (Isaiah 64:8)!
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
16 "Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (II Corinthians 5:16-17)!
"The Spirit itself [After Holy Spirit baptism; Acts 1:5;8; When we "join to His Spirit" I Corinthians 6:17] beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16)!