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All Stories in Israel

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Has God Rejected Israel?

The concept of replacement theology is popular in America's churches. Replacement theology means that Israel failed, and God has replaced Israel with the church. This is simply not true. Romans 11:1 says: "I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin."

Twice in Romans 11 Paul says that Israel has not fallen and is still the apple of God's eye. In the New Testament, the word Israel is used 77 times. Clearly, in 71 of those references it speaks of the nation of Israel, which is 96 percent of the time. It does not refer to the church.

Has God cast away Israel? Absolutely not! The fact is, when something is "cast away," you never hear of it again. Yet in the book of Revelation, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12,000 out of each of the 12 tribes, are sealed to present the gospel during the Great Tribulation (Rev. 7:4). read more

Honoring Our Jewish Roots

It has been over 2,000 years since the death and resurrection of Jesus. Since that time Christianity has grown and changed to reflect different eras, cultures, and different beliefs. The expression of our faith has taken on various forms and faces. It is ever growing and transforming—sometimes with choices that are for the better and some for the worse.

Since the 1970s more and more Christians are finding themselves returning to the Jewish roots of their faith. And with this outpouring has come many questions regarding the importance of our roots and in what form they should and can be expressed. In other words, "how deep do I really want to go?" read more

The Dangers of Dual Covenant Theology

Jewish leaders finally are realizing that evangelical Christians are Israel's best friends. As a Jewish believer, I rejoice over this growing love and support for the country and the people. I am grateful for the rallies, financial support and efforts to lobby our government not to force Israel to trade land for peace.

Having said that, I have serious concern for the growing acceptance of "dual covenant theology." It promotes the idea that Jewish people have a separate path to salvation through the Abrahamic or Mosaic covenants. In other words, Jews don't need Jesus for personal salvation.

Proponents of this theology teach that Judaism and Christianity are valid yet distinct religions, each equally worthy of the other's respect. They say Christians should not challenge the traditional Jewish thought that Jesus was not the Messiah. read more

Provoke the Jews to Jealousy

Most Christians know the Great Commission, which says: "Go into the world and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19). But this isn't the Great Commission for Christians; it's for Jews!

All the men addressed in this verse were Jewish. In this statement Jesus was telling the apostles to go to the gentiles and nations, and make disciples of them. Messiah was actually telling them to teach these pagans (since that's what they were) about the God of Israel and his Messiah.

Jews going to gentiles was what the Great Commission was initially all about, even though it has been expanded to Christians going to the lost.

In chapter 11 of Romans, Paul (Rabbi Saul) wrote to the believers in Rome about his people, Israel. He spoke of them as "natural" branches of the olive tree, whereas he considered gentiles to be "wild" branches (11:16-24). read more

The Jews Seek a Sign

When we went to Russia to be intercessors for a music festival in St. Petersburg, we heard many testimonies from Jewish people. As they shared how their lives had been changed when they received Yeshua (Jesus), these testimonies all had a common theme. I do not recall hearing one testimony that did not include some type of sign that God used to reveal His Son Jesus to them as their Messiah.

In 1 Cor. 1:22-24, we see Paul's insight into those with whom he was sharing the good news. He says, "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." read more

When Messianics Share the Message

Though Jesus was born in Bethlehem, taught in Jewish synagogues, and spread His message "to the Jew first," the majority of people in His homeland do not recognize Him as the Messiah. But thanks to what they say is a spiritual awakening unfolding in the Holy Land, many Jewish believers are sharing the gospel and leading their brothers and sisters to Christ. Click below to watch the video. read more

How to Repair the Jewish Breach

Are you aware that your Christian faith was built on a Jewish foundation? Think about it: Jews wrote the entire revelation of Scripture—both Old and New Testaments—except perhaps for the books of Luke and Acts. The Old Testament prophets all were Jewish. The apostles all were Jewish. And Jesus was not born a Christian—nor did He later convert. He was born a Jew and grew up to become a Jewish rabbi.

On Pentecost, it was Jewish men and women who first received Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah and who were endued with the power of the Holy Spirit. They went out to tell the things they had seen and heard, and when they were dispersed through persecution, they became witnesses to the gentiles. read more

More articles in Israel

  1. Christian Coach Sues Over Dismissal by Muslim Principal
  2. What We Can Learn From Yad Vashem
  3. The Lord Has Chosen Zion
  4. Pray for the Children
  5. Will Revival Come to the Jews?

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Charisma Magazine — Empowering believers for life in the Sprit