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Are the Jews Still Considered God's Chosen People in Light of New Testament Teachings?

Introduction: Historical Context and Theological Inquiry


The question of whether the Jewish people continue to hold the status of God's chosen people is one that has long been debated within Christian theology. This debate has been further fueled by the establishment of the Jewish state of Israel in 1948, an event that reignited discussions among theologians and believers alike. For centuries, various interpretations have emerged, particularly regarding the relationship between the Old and New Covenants and how these impact the understanding of God's chosen people. This article will delve into the biblical narratives and theological implications to explore whether the Jews are still regarded as God's chosen people according to New Testament teachings.



The Old Covenant: A Special Relationship Based on Obedience


The origins of Israel’s special status as God’s chosen people are rooted in the covenant established between God and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. As recorded in Exodus 19:5-6, God declared, “If you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me. And you yourselves will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” This covenant established Israel as a nation set apart for a unique relationship with God, conditioned on their obedience to His commandments.


The Old Testament is replete with instances where God reaffirmed His covenant with Israel, emphasizing their role as His chosen people. However, this relationship was never presented as being unconditional. Throughout the prophetic writings, the continuation of this special status is consistently tied to the Israelites' faithfulness to God’s commandments.



The Conditional Nature of God’s Covenant with Israel


The conditional nature of Israel’s relationship with God is highlighted in various passages of the Old Testament. For example, in Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings that would come upon Israel for their obedience, as well as the curses that would follow disobedience. This chapter serves as a stark reminder that Israel’s status as God’s chosen people was contingent upon their adherence to the covenant.


The consequences of disobedience are further illustrated in the book of Hosea, where God declares to the northern kingdom of Israel, “I shall no more show mercy again to the house of Israel, because I shall positively take them away. . . . You men are not my people and I myself shall prove to be not yours” (Hosea 1:6, 9). This pronouncement demonstrates that Israel’s continued infidelity could lead to a loss of their privileged status. However, the prophecy also leaves room for a faithful remnant who would eventually be restored to God’s favor.



The Shift in Covenant: From Ethnic Israel to a Spiritual Nation


The New Testament introduces a significant shift in the understanding of God’s chosen people. Jesus Christ’s ministry and the establishment of the New Covenant brought about a redefinition of what it means to be part of God’s people. This is most clearly articulated in Matthew 21:43, where Jesus declares, “The kingdom of God will be taken from you and be given to a nation producing its fruits.” This statement, made in the context of a parable directed at the Jewish religious leaders, signifies a transfer of the kingdom’s privileges to those who would bear spiritual fruit, regardless of their ethnic background.


The apostle Paul further expounds on this shift in Romans 9-11, where he addresses the relationship between Israel and the emerging Christian community. Paul acknowledges the historical role of Israel as God’s chosen people but emphasizes that true belonging to Israel is not based on ethnicity but on faith in Christ. In Romans 9:6, he states, “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,” indicating that the true Israel is now defined by faith rather than lineage.



The Role of the Jewish People in the New Testament Era


While the New Testament acknowledges the special role that Israel played in God’s redemptive plan, it also presents the idea that this role has been fulfilled and expanded to include Gentiles. The concept of a remnant is crucial in understanding how the New Testament views the Jewish people. Paul, in Romans 11:5, speaks of “a remnant chosen by grace,” indicating that a faithful remnant of Jews remains part of God’s plan. However, this remnant is now joined by Gentiles who have come to faith in Christ, forming a new people of God.


This idea is reinforced by Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:9-10, where he applies the language of Exodus 19:6 to the Christian community: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession . . . For you were once not a people, but are now God’s people.” Here, Peter addresses believers of various backgrounds, indicating that the designation of “God’s people” is no longer exclusive to ethnic Israel but is now based on faith in Christ.



The Question of Ethnic Israel’s Future Role


A significant point of discussion among theologians is the future role of ethnic Israel in God’s plan, particularly in light of Paul’s statements in Romans 11. Paul speaks of a “partial hardening” that has come upon Israel “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25). He then states that “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26), a phrase that has been interpreted in various ways.


Some theologians interpret this as a future mass conversion of ethnic Jews to Christianity, aligning with certain eschatological views that expect a significant turning of Jewish people to Christ before the end times. Others see “all Israel” as referring to the collective people of God, both Jews and Gentiles, who have come to faith in Christ.


Regardless of the interpretation, what remains clear in Paul’s argument is that the inclusion in God’s people is now determined by faith in Christ, not by ethnic heritage alone. This is consistent with Paul’s earlier statement in Galatians 3:28, where he writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”



The New Covenant and the Inclusion of Gentiles


The inclusion of Gentiles in the New Covenant is a significant theme in the New Testament. The early church, composed initially of Jewish believers, grappled with the inclusion of Gentiles and the implications this had for their understanding of God’s people. The apostolic council in Acts 15 addressed this issue, ultimately affirming that Gentiles who came to faith in Christ were not required to adhere to the ceremonial aspects of the Mosaic Law but were fully part of God’s people through faith.


Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles further reinforced this idea. In Ephesians 2:14-16, Paul writes that Christ has “broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” between Jews and Gentiles, creating “one new man in place of the two, so making peace.” This “one new man” refers to the unified body of believers, both Jews and Gentiles, who are now reconciled to God through Christ.


The concept of the church as the “body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27) further underscores the idea that God’s chosen people are no longer defined by ethnicity but by their relationship with Christ. This spiritual unity transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries, making the church a diverse yet unified community of believers.



Theological Implications of the Shift in God’s Chosen People


The theological implications of this shift are profound. The New Testament teaches that the Old Covenant, with its focus on ethnic Israel, has been fulfilled in Christ and replaced by the New Covenant, which is based on faith and open to all people. Hebrews 8:13 states, “In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”


This does not mean that the Jewish people are entirely rejected, as Paul emphasizes in Romans 11. Rather, it means that the basis for being part of God’s chosen people has shifted from ethnic identity to faith in Christ. This shift is a fulfillment of God’s plan to bring salvation to all nations, a plan that was hinted at even in the Old Testament through prophecies such as Isaiah 49:6, where God declares that His servant will be “a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”



Conclusion: The Status of the Jewish People Today


In light of the New Testament teachings, it is clear that the status of the Jewish people as God’s chosen people has been redefined. While the Jewish people played a crucial role in God’s redemptive plan and continue to hold a special place in biblical history, the New Covenant established through Christ extends the designation of God’s chosen people to all who come to faith in Him, regardless of ethnic background.


This does not negate the significance of the Jewish people but rather fulfills the promise that through Abraham’s offspring, “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). In Christ, the blessing of being part of God’s people is extended to both Jews and Gentiles, creating a new and unified people of God.


The theological exploration of whether the Jews are still God’s chosen people must, therefore, consider the shift brought about by the New Covenant. As followers of Christ, believers are called to recognize that their inclusion in God’s people is based on faith and not on ethnic heritage, reflecting the inclusive and redemptive nature of God’s plan for humanity.


About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).


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