Chapter 3 Part 1 August 16, 2020 The hypocrisy of the Jews continued

·        The Jews thought their Messiah would come to save the nation of Israel. They did not look for a Messiah who would come to save an individual.

·        They rejected the and personal salvation and personal Lordship of Jesus Christ

·        The Pharisees power over the common people was ending

We said the Jews knew the Gentiles who believed on the name of Jesus were made sons of God (from John 1:12). The Jews understood this as physical Jews (Jews by letter) sons. They did not read the context of John 1:13 that explains not sons by flesh and blood or declared by man but by God who is spirit.  . 

If you stop with verse 2:29 you can understand how the false doctrine of "replacement theology" that is God is done with the physical nation of Israel  and replaced them with the Church.

Add "Romans 2:11, Romans 3:22 Romans 10:12  and one can see that these Jewish Christians could begin to believe that physical Israel had lost it's favored nation status with God and the Gentiles have equal claim to the covenant God made with Abraham. Romans 3:1-2 with Romans 11:1 completely destroys replacement theology. Romans 3:1-2 seen to be in complete conflict with Romans 2:11. But hasn't there always been a conflict between that which is spiritual and that which is physical?

·        God chose Israel (the descendents of Abraham) to receive the law.

·        Deuteronomy 10:15 Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.

·        1Samuel 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

·        Israel is the only nation that God promised to curse it's enemies and bless the nations who bless it. (See chapters 9-11)

The physical nation of Israel is still God's chosen nation.

V3-4 It seems that there were some men saying if some Jews do not believe than God will not be faithful to what He had promised and the measure of faith given to all men (12:3) was given in vain.

We has seen that

·        God is faithful to perform what He has promised (Romans 4:21)

·        The measure of faith given to all men. (12:3) can be faith unto salvation.

·        It is God's will that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

God forbid, is absolute denial that the faith of God was given in vain.  GOD IS TRUE! God is absolute truth. If you disagree you are a liar.

Could the hypocrisy of the Pharisees be going so far as to say if all Jews are not saved than no one is saved?

V4b That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

·        See Psalm 51:1-4, 2Samuel 12 David coveted, he committed adultery, than he decided if Bathsheba was a widow she could be his and his action would be justified; so he made her a widow; he murdered. God used Nathan to open David's eyes to the sin he had committed. See 2Samuel 12:9

·        David's ability to return to God was based upon his agreeing that God's Law was true and He had sinned. David had to acknowledge God is true and he was a liar.

·        (Psalm 51:12) David did not loose his salvation. He had lost the joy of his salvation.

·        King David had to humble himself before God, profess his sin and repent. Than he could praise God with his lips. Psalm 51:10, 14a

Back to Paul in V4b remember Paul is still dealing with the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.

·        In V4a Paul is making it clear: God is true and the Pharisees are liars. Anyone who does not agree with God is a liar! There is no room for compromise.

·        God spoke to men in different ways

Ø     Adam in the garden

Ø     Moses from a bush

Ø     Joseph in dreams

Ø     The Christians in the early church in Rome through Paul

Ø     Today: 2Peter 1:19 ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy the Bible we hold in our hands.

·        Paul was telling the Christians in Rome, "Hear me, what I have written is God's Word., agree with it and speak it."

·        That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

·        Before men If we speak in full agreement with God (Thus saith the Lord) if men do not like what we say or disagree with us they are disagreeing with God and they are liars and their judgment can not condemn us.

·        If we live in agreement with God we will stand before Him at the judgment seat of Christ our deeds will be justified and we will not loose rewards.

Hebrews13:15-16 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.