2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the concision:
3 for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh: Phil 3
Doc, explain to me why I couldn't interchange 'circumcision' and 'Israel of God' in v 3 to make it read this way:
'for we are the Israel of God, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh'
I am saying the "Israel of God" includes only those with TWO sets of DNA - Jewish DNA (first birth) and Divine DNA (second birth) or TWICE BORN Jews.
But an honest, unbiased rendering of Gal 6:15-16 surely comtradicts that:
15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
I mean, really, most of the context of the epistle to the Galatian Churches was all about refuting the efforts of the Judaizers, and clearly Paul was letting these Churches know that THEY were the 'Israel of God', just as he was in the epistle to the Saints at Phillippi (Phil 3:3).
You are forcing your presuppositions onto/into the scriptures in a huge way here.
You're also insisting on the distinction of two entities where the scriptures plainly say there's only one:
14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,
15 having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; Eph 2
And that God makes no distinction:
And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction...Acts 11:12
and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9
even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; Ro 3:22
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 9:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 10:12
where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3:11
There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28
For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13
15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Gal 6
Last edited by a moderator: