Replacement Theology

Replacement Theology

“Replacement theology”

“The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed”.

This well-known statement is attributed to St. Augustine (354-430A.D.). It correctly describes how the Old Testament scriptures lay a foundation through the law, the prophets and through various types and shadows to reveal their full meaning through Jesus Christ and the church. This statement also demonstrates clearly, that there is one author of, and one purpose throughout the bible. Everyone agreed for 1600 years…until the dispensationalists. They have developed a ‘strawman’ and called him out for teaching ‘replacement theology’. The New Testament does have much to say concerning Israel and the church. Does it teach replacement theology?

1. Did Jesus replace the temple? John 2:19-22 “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”. He was speaking of the temple of His body (2:21). When He had risen, the disciples remembered (v.22). The Jews did, through arrogance and destiny, destroy the temple in 70A.D. Daniel 9:27 states that it will never be rebuilt, “Even unto the consummation, desolate”. Hebrews 10:12 says “Jesus offered ONE sacrifice forever”. So, there is no further need for a temple. And since we are IN CHRIST, we are the ‘temple’ of the Holy Spirit, living stones, built up, a holy spiritual house (1Pet.2:5).

2. Did Jesus replace the animal sacrifices? The purpose of animal sacrifices were to ‘roll Israel’s sin forward’ year after year, to “cover the sins of the people until the time of reformation” (Heb.9:10). The blood of bulls and goats could NEVER take away sin (Heb.10:4). Jesus came and offered Himself, as a lamb without spot, to redeem all of mankind. John the Baptist prophesied this in Jn.1:29 “Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”. If you believe in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, your sins have been forgiven (1John2:12). Animal sacrifices are now ineffectual and pointless.

3. Did Jesus replace the priesthood? Hebrews 7 says “If perfection came through the Levitical priesthood, what need would there be for a priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, with the power of an endless life?” It goes on to say, the priests ministered daily, offering up sacrifices for their own sins and then for the sins of the people (but those sacrifices never actually removed sin Heb.10:11). Jesus offered up Himself, a one time sacrifice forever. “By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Heb.10:14). And therefore, there is a disannulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness” (Heb.7:18). So, yes Jesus replaced the priesthood. Their mediatorial role has ended. The veil was torn from top to bottom. We have direct access to God through Jesus Christ (The whole book of Hebrews is a treatise on Jesus Christ our High Priest). But now, WE are lively stones, built up a holy ‘priesthood’ to offer up spiritual sacrifices (1Pet:2:5).

4. Did Jesus replace the Law? In Luke 16:16 Jesus said, “The law and the prophets were until John, since that time the kingdom of God is preached”. Heb.7:19 “The law made nothing perfect”. Romans 4:14 “If those who live by the law are heirs, then faith has no value”. Galatians 3:12-13 “If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing”. Galatians 3:13-24 “The promise came to Abraham 430 years before the law, so the law can’t void the promises made earlier”. “The law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ”. Heb. 7:12 “The change in the priesthood requires a change in the law”. Again, in Matthew 5:17 Jesus said “I haven’t come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it. The law was replaced by the gospel of grace. Three very good books on this subject: the book of Romans, the book of Galatians, the book of Hebrews (you may already have them).

5. Did Jesus replace the Covenant? Jeremiah 31:31 …I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Hebrews 8:8-13 confirms this prophecy has been fulfilled and adds “by calling this covenant new, He has made the first one obsolete and ready to vanish away”. "This is the New Covenant in my blood" (Luke 22:20). Some clarification here: The Abrahamic Covenant, promises to Abraham in Genesis, have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It is the foundation of Christianity, and is a continuing covenant. The Mosaic Covenant is referred to as “the law” and has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was contrary to us, and took it out of the way nailing it to the cross” (Col.2:14). “Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, the law of commandments in ordinances” (Eph.2:15). Under the new covenant, God is our God, He has placed His laws in our minds and written them on our hearts. We are His people, and He is our God (Heb.8:10). There is no more glorious position for a human being that this! The old covenant is finished. It has served its purpose. It is no longer in effect. Cultural and historical significance, yes, but legal status, no.

6. Is Jesus Christ the True Israel? Israel was known as a vine. In Psalms 80:8 “You brought a vine out of Egypt…and transplanted it”. Isaiah 5:7 “The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel”. See also Jer.2:21, Ezek.19:10. In John 15:1, Jesus states “I am the True Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser”. This is clear declaration that where Israel had failed, Jesus would take over and bring the fruit of Life to the world (notice His disciples are now the ‘branches’).

Christianity is actually Supersession Theology*. It is the evolution of God’s purpose. God chose a family to bring forth Messiah. This family was to be set apart. Preparation involved covenant promises, the law, the priesthood, the temple etc. This sanctification process continued until Messiah introduced His gospel to the world. This gospel offered forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God and so much more (something the law could not do, Rom.3:20). However, “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22), and it was offered to them first. This is what the New Testament is all about. Rom.1:16 “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, it is the power of God unto salvation…to the Jew first, and also the Greek. Rom.10:12 “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, the same Lord is over all”. Gal.3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus”. Col.3:11 “There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond or free. But Christ is all and in all”. Jews aren’t replaced, they are first in line. They are preferred customers. Paul wished above all that the Jews would come into the kingdom (Rom.9:1-5). It was his custom to speak to them first (Acts 17:2). They are welcomed in (Rom.11:24 “How much easier can the natural branches be grafted back in?”), but if they reject the gospel, they certainly don’t get to revert back to having their sins ‘rolled forward’ through priests and animal sacrifices. Those days are over!

*Supersession means “To replace with something superior”.

Paul redefined what it means to be a Jew. Rom.2:28-29 “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, neither is circumcision, which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter…”.

Paul redefined Israel. Rom.9:6 “For they are not all Israel which are of Israel”. In Rom.11:25-26 the fullness of the gentiles and the remnant of the Jews equal “The Israel of God”. In Gal.6:16, Paul calls the church “The Israel of God”.

Paul redefined Abraham’s Seed. Rom.4:13-23 “For the promise that he would be heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law but through the righteousness of faith”. V.16 “that according to grace, the promise was made sure to all the seed, those under law and those who are of the faith of Abraham”. V.22-23 “His faith was accounted to him as righteousness”. And also for us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead”. Gal.3:16 “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say to seeds, as many but as of one, And to your Seed, which was Christ”. Gal.3:29 “And if you are Christ’s, then YOU are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” (Not replacement but fulfillment!).

Conclusion: It is very clear, from the scriptures, that God always intended to include the Gentiles. Gen.17:4 “You shall be a father of many nations”. Isaiah 42:6 “I will give you a covenant of the people for a light to the Gentiles”. Isaiah 54:3 “Thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles”. Isaiah 60:3 “The Gentiles shall come to your light”. Rom.3:29 “Is He the God of the Jews only? No, the God of the Gentiles also. The institutions have been replaced, not the people.

Eph.3:6 "Members together in one body, sharers together in one promise", doesn't sound like anyone being replaced. 1 Cor.12:13 “For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, bond or free, we have been made to drink of one Spirit”. Gal.3:8-9 “And the scriptures foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying ‘In you all the nations of the world will be blessed’. So those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham”. Gal3:14 “That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, receiving the promise of the Spirit by faith. Eph.3:6 “The Gentiles are fellowheirs”. This was the mystery kept secret from the foundation of the world, made known to the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Rom.16:25, 1Cor.2:7, Eph.1:9, 6:19, Col.1:26-27.

To teach that the Jews (Jacob’s literal, physical descendants), still have a special relationship with God that usurps the New Covenant is disingenuous at least, and a false gospel, complete with curses (Gal.1:8) at worst. Be very prayerful about this subject.