Beth-El Baptist Church

08/12/2012

Greg Tomlinson


Is there a separate salvation plan for Israel apart from Christ?


A fairly common view associated with pre-millenial dispensationalism is the thought that the church age was introduced as a “parenthesis” or temporary pause associated with God's work for His real people, those of ethnic and national Israel. The pause inserted by the church results in God resuming His special, covenental work with Israel by which they will enter into the kingdom of God bodily and be saved by way of the Mosiac Covenant.


  1. What is required to enter into the kingdom of God?

Matthew 5:17-22, 48; 7:21-23; 18:2-4; 19:23-26

John 3:5-7 Psalm 7:9-11


Perfect holiness or perfect character, as perfect as God's character, is required to enter the kingdom of heaven. As we know, there is no one who is truly perfect as God is perfect so the only hope is for the person to be “born again” or “born from above” as Jesus taught Nicodemus.


  1. Is it possible for anyone to meet the requirements without faith in Christ?

Hebrews 11:6 Philippians 3:7-12

1 John 2:22-24; 5:12 Matthew 11:27-29; 26:39

John 3:36; 12:47-50; 14:6 Isaiah 63:3-5

Ezekiel 22:30-31


The only hope that any individual has for entering into the kingdom of God is to have faith in Jesus Christ. Without faith in Jesus Christ, the person will be a target of the wrath of God. Although God sought for someone, anyone who would be acceptably righteous, He could not find any. As a result God established Himself as the way of salvation. Furthermore, Jesus stated that it is impossible for ANYONE to enter into the presence of God (“the Father”) apart from a relationship with Him. Likewise, while waiting in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked the Father if there was any other way possible, but there was none.


  1. What was the purpose of the Mosaic Covenant then?

Galatians 2:21; 3:16-20; 3:21-25 Romans 7:9-11; 10:4-5


The whole purpose of the Mosaic Covenant was, and is, to expose the reality of the sinfulness of man. It explains that every man is a sinner and would be rightly and justly condemned by God. The purpose of exposing the greatness of man's sin is to help them see their need for the savior, Jesus Christ.


  1. What about the Old Testament promises regarding a restored Israel?

2 Corinthians 1:20 Romans 9:6-8

Galatians 3:16-18 Hebrews 6:13-15; 8:6-13; 9:14-17


God will keep His all of the promises that He made. The promises are only fulfilled in Christ and man are only fulfilled in the eternal heavens. It is only through those who have faith in Jesus Christ who are able to receive the fulfillment of these promises. The definition of Israel, as Child of God and recipient of the promises, belongs only to those who have faith in Jesus Christ. The only people who have faith in Jesus Christ are those to are the church, whether of ethnic Israel or of Gentile ethnicity.