A dear Brother in Christ wrote that, after researching the Scriptures exegetically, he could not find any conclusive proof that the words "office of" go with the word "Deacon" in Scripture. My response follows:

I've read your tract on the Deacon, and commend you on a well researched article. As a Pastor and (in the past) one who held a position that the Church recognized as "deacon", I agree with many of your main points. In many Churches the Deacon has been recognized as a layer of authority, something that is completely foreign to the Scripture. At one of my previous Churches the "Board of Deacons" gathered and, in secret meeting, agreed to demand my resignation - and this prior to consulting the Church Body. The Deacon was NEVER intended to be a layer of authority, but a fixed Servant in the Church.

Before I go any further, though, let me back up and say this. In order to understand the Biblical role of the Deacon, we need to first understand that God has set both GIFTS and OFFICES in His Body. It is possible to be granted a Gift, or exercise a Gift, and yet not fulfill an Office. We can clearly see this distinction when we examine the Old Testament "Prophet". There were three categories of Prophets in the Old Testament:

1. Moses (who was unique as Prophet):

(Deuteronomy 34:10 KJV) "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,"

2. Those who held the OFFICE of Prophet, and were designated by the title PROPHET (Like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel), and

3. Those who prophesied, but did NOT hold the office of Prophet. This category of people included Kind David, King Solomon, Daniel - even, I believe, Balaam prophesied, though I will not be dogmatic on this.

So you could have the Gift, or you could occupy the Office (which included the ability to use the Gift) according to the Will of God. (SeeJamieson-Faucett-Brown Commentary as well as this). This seems to carry forward into the New Testament era as well, for when Paul started his ill-fated trip to Jerusalem he was warned against going to Jerusalem by Agabus the Prophet. Yet in the same context it is mentioned that Philip The Evangelist had four daughters "who did prophesy", yet these ladies, according to the context, never spoke a word of warning to Paul. The daughters had the Gift of Prophesy, but God wanted the Prophet (the one who held the office of Prophet) Agabus to confront Paul, just as all of those who held the office of Prophet confronted those in authority from the beginning of the institution.

(Acts 21:8-11 KJV) "And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. {9} And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. {10} And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. {11} And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."

Here was both a representation of Gift (within the daughters) and Office (assigned to Agabus) - both states being assigned by God according to His good pleasure. When I examine the diakoneo in the New Testament, it seems to follow along these same lines. In other words, it appears to be either an Office or a Gift. How do I know this? First, because Timothy, while establishing local Churches under the direction of the Apostle Paul, was given a list of qualifications for the Bishop (episkope, Strong's 1984) as well as the Deacon (diakoneo, Strong's 1247) [1 Timothy 3:1-15] that were to be examined before recognizing any man to these positions. Though Phebe, a woman, is recognized as a diakonos (Strong's G1249) a deacon to the Church by the same Apostle, it is evident that Phebe exercised the Gift and not the Office. The same Paul who wrote and commended Phebe in Romans 16 specified that the diakoneo must be the "husbands of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:12), therefore a married man and not a woman. We must either throw out the clear text of 1 Timothy 3:1-15 as unscriptural, or recognize that 1 Timothy 3 refers to the Offices of Bishop and Deacon whereas Romans 16 refers to one who possessed and used the Gift.

What other indications do we have that there is an office of Deacon? In Acts 6 the Apostles decided to "appoint" seven men to tend to the physical needs of the Church, thus freeing themselves of this chore:

(Acts 6:1-6 KJV) "And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. {2} Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. {3} Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. {4} But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. {5} And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: {6} Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them."

These men were clearly placed into an office. First, look at the verbiage. They were "appoint[ed] over this business", kathistemi, Strong's G2525, "designated, constituted, ordained". This was an office that these men were being assigned to. The fact that this was an Office of Service is illustrated by the "laying on of hands".

(Numbers 8:10-11 KJV) "And thou shalt bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands upon the Levites: {11} And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD."

(Numbers 27:18-23 KJV) "And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; {19} And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. {20} And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. {21} And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation. {22} And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: {23} And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses."

God used "laying on of hands" to designate people to certain posts of service in Israel, such as with the Levites and Joshua. The laying on of hands symbolized conferring authority to fulfill a position as per the will of God. The Apostles, familiar with this practice, performed the same act on the seven men they sat aside to be "table waiters". It is interesting that one of these initial deacons, Stephen, also possessed and used many other spiritual gifts in the Church:

(Acts 6:8 KJV) "And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people."

So much So that he became the first martyr of the newly formed Church:

(Acts 7:59 KJV) "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

Further Philip, another of these seven deacons, was a Gifted Evangelist, and became the first person to fulfill the Great Commission in going to Samaria and preaching the Gospel:

(Acts 8:5-6 KJV) "Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. {6} And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did."

Philip also carried the Gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch, thus sending the Gospel into the regions of Africa:

(Acts 8:26-28 KJV) "And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. {27} And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, {28} Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet."

We also See a clear instance in Scripture where the Apostle Paul recognized in a salutation "all the saints at Philippi", and separately "the bishops" and "deacons". Though it is true that all saints are, in the most general sense, ministers of God, and that we all serve by ministering to the world around us in the name of Jesus Christ, Paul negates the argument that there was no separate office of Deacon by the Scripture in Philippians:

(Philippians 1:1 KJV) "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:"

Here are clearly three separate greetings: to the saints (hagios, Strong's 40), that is, the saved by faith in Christ; to the bishops, (episkopos, Strong's 1985), that is, the elders or chief Servant of each local Church, and the deacons (diakonos, Strong's G1249), that is, those assigned to the office of Servant to the local Church.

Finally, the Greek diakoneo, as found in 1 Timothy 3:13, can be translated "office of deacon" exegetically. As per these lexicons:

Strong's: 1247. diakoneo, dee-ak-on-eh'-o; from G1249; to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon (menially or as a host, friend or [fig.] teacher); techn. to act as a Chr. deacon:--(ad-) minister (unto), serve, USE THE OFFICE OF A DEACON.

Thayer's Lexicon:1247 diakoneo dee-ak-on-eh'-o

from <1249>; ; v

AV-minister unto 15, serve 10, minister 7, misc 5; 37

1)) to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon
1a) to minister to one, render ministering offices to
1a1) to be served, ministered unto
1b) to wait at a table and offer food and drink to the guests,
1b1) of women preparing food
1c) to minister i.e. supply food and necessities of life
1c1) to relieve one's necessities (e.g. by collecting alms), to provide take care of, distribute, the things necessary to sustain life
1c2) to take care of the poor and the sick, who ADMINISTER THE OFFICE OF A DEACON
1c3) IN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES TO SERVE AS DEACONS
1d) to minister
1d1) to attend to anything, that may serve another's interests
1d2) to minister a thing to one, to serve one or by supplying any thing

Robertson's Word Pictures: I Timothy 3:8 Deacons ([diakonous]). Accusative case of general reference like the preceding with [dei einai] understood. Technical sense of the word here as in Php 1:1, which See (TWO CLASSES OF CHURCH OFFICERS, BISHOPS OR ELDERS, DEACONS).

Kittle's Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, volume 2, Page 89: {begin quote}

B. The Deacon as a Church Official.

1. A distinction may be made between all the general uses and the employment of the term as the "fixed designation for the bearer of a specific office" as diakonos in the developing constitution of the Church. This is found in passages where the Vulgate has the loan-word diaconos instead of the minister used elsewhere (cf Phil 1:1; 1 Tm 3.8,12).

Members of the community who are called deacons in virtue of their regular activity are first found in Phil 1:1 where Paul sends greetings to all the saints in Philippi, oun episkopos kai diakonois. Already in this phrase there emerges a decisive point for our understanding of the office, namely, that the deacons are linked with the bishops and mentioned after them. At the time of the epistle there are thus two coordinated offices.

We cannot gather with any certainty from this reference what constituted the special work of these officers. It is highly improbably that the reference is to two different aspects of the work of the same men, since this is supported neither by the context nor by 1 Timothy 3:1 ff., 8 ff. Nor can there be any doubt that the description of office has here become a definite designation. Nevertheless we are not told what the offices involved. Attempts have been made to deduce this from the contents of the epistle. It has often been argued that special thanks are due to the bishops and deacons for the affectionate gift which was sent to Paul in prison and which they collected. This seems to be a very likely reason for the particular mention of episkopoi and diakonoi in this epistle, namely, to strengthen the Philippians in a time of persecution, in which their leaders were in prison. As he sees it, this gives us the main reason for the special greeting to them. There is no proof for this conjecture. The task of the diakonoi can in fact be deduced only from the actual name of their office and from their later function.

That the deaconate stands in the closest relationship to the episcopate is confirmed by 1 Tim 3:1 ff. Here an account is first given of the way in which a bishop must conduct himself (vv. 1-7), and this is followed by a list of the requirements for a deacon (vv. 8-13){end quote}

Kittle's suggests that the institution of the Bishop and deacon in the early Church followed the pattern established by God's Temple, where the High Priest and his fellows conducted services whereas the Levites took care of the implements of the Temple. This is possible, as the Apostles, who seem to establish the office in Acts 6, were all orthodox Jews familiar with the things of Judaism. Though I cannot be dogmatic on the origin of the diakonos being from the order of the Old Testament Temple, I still find this to be an interesting parallel So I thought I'd mention it. Again I draw attention to the parallel that Levites were ordained by the laying on of hands, and similarly the original Seven were ordained to their office by the laying on of hands.

In conclusion, I myself See evidence of the office of Deacon in the New Testament. This office appears to be separate from that of episkopos (the Elder or chief Servant), and - as per the qualifications established in 1 Timothy 3 - was only to be occupied by the "husband of one wife". This appears to be definitely a man, not a woman, as I have no idea how a woman could qualify legitimately as "the husband of one wife".

There are several other studies I have onsite that explain more about the office of the Deacon:

http://www.bibleteacher.org/con_33.htm

http://www.bibleteacher.org/Dm118_5.htm

http://www.bibleteacher.org/Dm118_6.htm

God Bless!

I often am asked "Is The Church The 'New Israel"?, or, "Isn't It God's Plan To Unite The House of Israel (Christianity) With The House of Judah (Israel)? Let me quickly point out that I believe that the Scripture, if taken literally and without adding a bunch of supposition to it, will support that Israel and the New Testament Church are two distinctly different entities. No, I do not believe that you can support a teaching that the Church is Israel; and Judah is Israel, and that God's Plan is to unite the two institutions into the "One True Nation" Israel.

Be aware, precious Believer, that there is a movement within Christianity that has been within the Faith but not part of the Faith from the beginning. This movement was not a God ordained movement, nor is it a God sanctioned movement. Some within Christianity, true believers, have fallen prey to this movement, and, as it was with the Apostles, it is a thorn and a stumbling block to every fellowship of believers from the beginning of the Church on the day of Pentecost up until this time. That movement has gone by a number of names - Legalists, Perfectionists, Pharisees - but when they became prominent in the early Church they were historically known as "Judaizers". These people infiltrated the early Church and corrupted the teaching of "Grace alone by Christ alone" with the teaching that believers, especially Gentile believers, could not be true Christians until they submitted to the Jewish ordinances, in particular the Jewish ordinance of circumcision was preached.

Judaizers attacked the Church in a number of ways, though God usually used their error and turn it into good. When Judaizers came to the churches of Galatia and taught these naive believers that they must adhere to the law of Moses, God spoke forcefully to these deceivers through the great Apostle Paul. In fact, the purpose of the Book of Galatians was to combat the vicious heresy that the work of Christ was insufficient for salvation unless "propped up" by the Law. The Judaizers attacked Paul and his message by preaching that he was no true Apostle, yet he proved himself a true Apostle when he rebuked Peter for following the teachings of the Judaizers:

(Galatians 2:11-17 KJV) "But when PETER WAS COME TO ANTIOCH, I WITHSTOOD HIM TO THE FACE, BECAUSE HE WAS TO BE BLAMED. {12} For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, FEARING THEM WHICH WERE OF THE CIRCUMCISION. {13} And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. {14} But when I saw that THEY WALKED NOT UPRIGHTLY ACCORDING TO THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? {15} We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, {16} KNOWING THAT A MAN IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, BUT BY THE FAITH OF JESUS CHRIST, EVEN WE HAVE BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST, THAT WE MIGHT BE JUSTIFIED BY THE FAITH OF CHRIST, AND NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. {17} But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid."

The Judaizers came from Palestine, infiltrated the Church, and began placing law after law back into the assemblies. The Law was a shadow of Christ, not Christ, and once the Reality had come the shadow passed away. The Law and its tenets were all fulfilled by Christ:

(Colossians 2:13-17 KJV) "And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath HE QUICKENED TOGETHER WITH HIM, HAVING FORGIVEN YOU ALL TRESPASSES; {14} BLOTTING OUT THE HANDWRITING OF ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; {15} And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. {16} LET NO MAN THEREFORE JUDGE YOU IN MEAT, OR IN DRINK, OR IN RESPECT OF AN HOLYDAY, OR OF THE NEW MOON, OR OF THE SABBATH DAYS: {17} WHICH ARE A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME; BUT THE BODY IS OF CHRIST."

The message of the Cross was, "Christ fulfilled the Law, and gave us the Spirit of God to live by. Now children of God by faith, we all live by the Spirit, not by the Law". The message of the Judaizers was "Christ paid the penalty for your sins, but you must still keep the Law. Unless you keep the tenets of the Law, the Torah, you are not a child of God". While Peter made concessions to the Judaizers, Paul, trained by Gamaliel, the greatest of all Talmudic Scholars of his day - Paul, once endorsed by Gamaliel to serve the Sanhedrin, the ruling body of elders in Israel, to seek out and destroy these blasphemous Christians - Paul, a man of letters and highly educated, a Jew among Jews, of the tribe of Benjamin, who kept the Law without flaw (and few can say that), this blessed Brother, commissioned on Damascus Road to serve as an Apostle of the Church of Christ wrote this:

(Philippians 3:2-11 KJV) "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, BEWARE OF THE CONCISION. {3} For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have NO CONFIDENCE IN THE FLESH. {4} Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: {5} Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; {6} Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. {7} But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. {8} Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, {9} And be found in him, NOT HAVING MINE OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH IS OF THE LAW, BUT THAT WHICH IS THROUGH THE FAITH OF CHRIST, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF GOD BY FAITH: {10} That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; {11} If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."

I can barely write these words, for the power in them is the very power of the Cross of our Lord Jesus. Paul told his blessed Philippians, one of the few Churches that followed strongly after Christ and did not fall into error, he told them BEWARE OF THE CONCISION. "Concision" is an old English word for the Greek [katatome: Strong's G2699], meaning "those who are mutilated, cut down", a reference to the Judaizers who were So fond of circumcision. Paul stated that the TRUE CIRCUMCISION are those who worship God via His indwelling Spirit, and that have NO confidence in the flesh, that is, in our own works. Paul could have had confidence in the flesh, for his credentials were impeccable - yet Paul understood the Gospel message that the "Law was past, salvation is now only by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ".

What the Judaizers tried to accomplish in the early Church, they are still hard at work trying to accomplish today. Some have openly adopted the false teaching that the Church is the "New Israel", or that the Church is one of the "Houses of Israel". And this doctrine is rampant in many Churches. A few years ago I was preaching in a Baptist Church and I asked if there were any "Jewish people" there. About 5 people raised their hands. Since these people did not LOOK Jewish (I am retired military, and spent time overseas with both Arab and Jew, So I know), I asked HOW they were Jewish. One showed me a star of David with a Cross in the center of it and smiled, saying, "aren't we all Jewish?".

No, we're not. But if we ARE Jewish, of Israel, then we MUST keep the Law. The Law was given to Israel and ONLY Israel among all the nations:

(Deuteronomy 4:6-10 KJV) "KEEP THEREFORE AND DO THEM; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. {7} For what nation is there So great, who hath God So nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? {8} And WHAT NATION IS THERE SO GREAT, THAT HATH STATUTES AND JUDGMENTS SO RIGHTEOUS AS ALL THIS LAW, WHICH I SET BEFORE YOU THIS DAY? {9} Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but TEACH THEM THY SONS, AND THY SONS' SONS; {10} Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children."

If we are Israel, then we MUST keep the Law, the WHOLE Law:

(James 2:10 KJV) "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL."

You See, Beloved of God, the Law was an all or none situation. And since NO ONE was perfect, the Law included a sacrifice called the "Day of Atonement" where every Israelite had to go and confess their failures before God. If we are Jews we must keep this part of the Law, too, the Day of Atonement.

Yet, we are not Jews. No, and even those who are racially "Jews" in this present Age are no longer of Israel, but they become part of the Bride of Christ, the Church. The Church is not Israel, and Israel is not the Church. Once one accepts Christ by faith he becomes a part of this great work of God, an adopted child of God, because of what Christ did for us.

(Galatians 3:28-29 KJV) "There is NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, THERE IS NEITHER BOND NOR FREE, THERE IS NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE: FOR YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. {29} AND IF YE BE CHRIST'S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, and heirs according to the promise."

(Colossians 3:11 KJV) "Where there is NEITHER GREEK NOR JEW, CIRCUMCISION NOR UNCIRCUMCISION, BARBARIAN, SCYTHIAN, BOND NOR FREE: BUT CHRIST IS ALL, AND IN ALL."

Just as Abraham, a Gentile from Ur of the Chaldees, was saved by faith in God, and received imputed righteousness FROM GOD APART FROM THE LAW several hundred years before the Law was instituted under Moses:

(Galatians 3:6-7 KJV) "Even as ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. {7} Know ye therefore that THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH, THE SAME ARE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM."

We who have believed in Jesus Christ are the children of Abraham (not Jews, not of Israel, but of faith). We fall under the blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant which state:

(Genesis 12:3 KJV) "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and IN THEE SHALL ALL FAMILIES OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED."

Israel could be numbered, but the children of faith which came from Abraham, this was a number that no man could tell, as the Abrahamic Covenant promised:

(Genesis 15:5-6 KJV) "And he brought him forth abroad, and said, LOOK NOW TOWARD HEAVEN, AND TELL THE STARS, IF THOU BE ABLE TO NUMBER THEM: AND HE SAID UNTO HIM, SO SHALL THY SEED BE. {6} AND HE BELIEVED IN THE LORD; AND HE COUNTED IT TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

(Revelation 7:9-10 KJV) "After this I BEHELD, AND, LO, A GREAT MULTITUDE, WHICH NO MAN COULD NUMBER, OF ALL NATIONS, AND KINDREDS, AND PEOPLE, AND TONGUES, STOOD BEFORE THE THRONE, AND BEFORE THE LAMB, CLOTHED WITH WHITE ROBES, AND PALMS IN THEIR HANDS; {10} AND CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE, SAYING, SALVATION TO OUR GOD WHICH SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB."

This was not Israel, but children of faith, children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. The Church of Christ, not Israel, is that seed of Abraham without number from all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues - all who have called on Jesus Christ and have been saved by His great and mighty work.

No, the Church is not Israel, nor a House of Israel. The Church is the Church, and Israel is Israel. The Gentiles were grafted into the Promises:

(Hosea 2:23 KJV) "And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I WILL SAY TO THEM WHICH WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, THOU ART MY PEOPLE; AND THEY SHALL SAY, THOU ART MY GOD."

(Romans 9:25-27 KJV) "As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. {26} And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. {27} Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:"

But, though grafted in, Israel is not forsaken by God entirely. The Gentiles, separate and distinct from Israel, were offered salvation by faith in Christ, just as Abraham received salvation by faith in God. The Israelites and the Judaizers, clinging to the Law (which was only a teacher, not the Reality which is Christ), lost much whereas the Gentiles by faith gained much.

(Romans 9:30-33 KJV) "What shall we say then? That THE GENTILES, WHICH FOLLOWED NOT AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS, HAVE ATTAINED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, EVEN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH IS OF FAITH. {31} BUT ISRAEL, WHICH FOLLOWED AFTER THE LAW OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, HATH NOT ATTAINED TO THE LAW OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. {32} WHEREFORE? BECAUSE THEY SOUGHT IT NOT BY FAITH, BUT AS IT WERE BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; {33} As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Though Churches were being planted by Paul, and though both Jews and Gentiles were being saved under the preaching of the Gospel of Christ in the early Church, Israel as a people rejected Christ as Savior. Had they only called on Jesus:

(Romans 10:13 KJV) "For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED."

But they would not. Yet has Israel been cast away? Is the Church the "New Israel"? No, for Paul said clearly:

(Romans 11:1 KJV) "I say then, HATH GOD CAST AWAY HIS PEOPLE? GOD FORBID. FOR I ALSO AM AN ISRAELITE, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin."

(Romans 11:8 KJV) "(According as it is written, GOD HATH GIVEN THEM THE SPIRIT OF SLUMBER, eyes that they should not See, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day."

(Romans 11:11 KJV) "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy."

(Romans 11:17-25 KJV) "And if some of the branches be broken off, and THOU, BEING A WILD OLIVE TREE, WERT GRAFTED IN AMONG THEM, AND WITH THEM PARTAKEST OF THE ROOT AND FATNESS OF THE OLIVE TREE; {18} Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. {19} Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. {20} Well; BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF THEY WERE BROKEN OFF, AND THOU STANDEST BY FAITH. Be not highminded, but fear: {21} For IF GOD SPARED NOT THE NATURAL BRANCHES, TAKE HEED LEST HE ALSO SPARE NOT THEE. {22} Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. {23} And they also, IF THEY ABIDE NOT STILL IN UNBELIEF, SHALL BE GRAFTED IN: FOR GOD IS ABLE TO GRAFT THEM IN AGAIN. {24} For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: HOW MUCH MORE SHALL THESE, WHICH BE THE NATURAL BRANCHES, BE GRAFTED INTO THEIR OWN OLIVE TREE? {25} FOR I WOULD NOT, BRETHREN, THAT YE SHOULD BE IGNORANT OF THIS MYSTERY, LEST YE SHOULD BE WISE IN YOUR OWN CONCEITS; THAT BLINDNESS IN PART IS HAPPENED TO ISRAEL, UNTIL THE FULNESS OF THE GENTILES BE COME IN."

Israel fell away from God, for they relied on the flesh and the works of the Law rather than faith in the Provision of God for salvation. Christ came for Israel, but Israel rejected and killed Messiah. The Promised One, Christos, the One which Israel had long waited for, was killed by the same Judaizers, the Pharisees, that sought to infiltrate and destroy the early Church. God has not forsaken Israel, but we, the Gentiles, were grafted into the Provision of Christ because Israel rejected that same provision. We must not boast against the branches, Israel, nor presume that we in some way supersede Israel. Because of unbelief they were broken off for a time, but one day Israel the nation shall believe - and on that day they shall be grafted back into the Promises of God once more. That day shall come when "the fulness of the Gentiles be come in", that Day when the Church Age shall cease with a bang as we are Raptured to the Heavens to be with our Bridegroom forever.

Now, I know that I've gone into a lecture on Israel and the Church, but unless we understand that the two are mutually exclusive of one another we cannot understand a large part of the teaching of the Scripture. There are So many differences between Israel and the Church it would take a book to list them all. In Israel, the Temple was a building; in the Church the Temple is our own bodies, indwelt by the Spirit of God. In Israel, the Holy Spirit came and left. In the Church, the Spirit indwells and stays in every believer. In Israel, God was served by Law and ritual. In the Church, God is served when believers follow the leading of the indwelling Spirit. In Israel, sin was set aside by the blood of animals. In the Church, sin is permanently forgiven by the Blood of Christ. In Israel, failure to be circumcised on the eighth day was cause to be cast out of the nation. In the Church, we who are saved by faith are "circumcised without hands", circumcised in heart. In Israel, all they had was the shadow of things to come. In the Church, we have the reality that is Jesus Christ. In Israel, the great inheritance was physical - a number of children, and a land. In the Church our inheritance is Spiritual and eternal, with Christ our Lord in the Heavens. In Israel, anyone could become a member of that nation by circumcision and by adherence to the Law. In the Church, you cannot become a member by mere vote or ritual - unless you have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior you may be on the "rolls", but you'll be left behind when the Bridegroom returns for His Bride.

What does Ezekiel 37:15-28 refer to? Rather than "add to" the Scripture, it means exactly what it says. Israel divided into Northern and Southern Israel during the reign of Rehoboam, Solomon's son. The story is told in:

(1 Kings 12:3-17 KJV) "That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, {4} Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. {5} And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. {6} And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? {7} And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. {8} But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: {9} And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter? {10} And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins. {11} And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. {12} So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. {13} And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; {14} And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. {15} Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. {16} So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now See to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. {17} But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them."

The shortened version is that Ten Tribes defected from Israel - these were all Jews, circumcised, and Law abiding - when Rehoboam foolishly threatened rather than righteously rule them. These Ten Tribes in later years set up their own Temple (though it was not sanctioned by God) and worshipped apart from the true Temple in Jerusalem. Judah and Benjamin, the two Southern Tribes, stayed with Rehoboam and the Temple of God. From the point of their division Southern Israel is usually referred to as "Judah" or "House of Judah" in Scripture, and the Ten Northern Tribes are usually referred to as "Ephraim" (because this was the tribe which led the other tribes in the revolution) or "House of Israel".

In his prophecy Ezekiel took two sticks of wood and wrote Judah on one, and Ephraim on the other. He put the two sticks together to symbolize that the two, a torn apart Israel in civil war, would one day be reunited as One Nation by God the Father. The Messiah, David's greater Son, would be the only King and Shepherd over this one reunited Nation.

(Ezekiel 37:15-28 KJV) "The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, {16} Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: {17} And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. {18} And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not show us what thou meanest by these? {19} Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. {20} And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. {21} And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I WILL TAKE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL FROM AMONG THE HEATHEN, WHITHER THEY BE GONE, AND WILL GATHER THEM ON EVERY SIDE, AND BRING THEM INTO THEIR OWN LAND: {22} And , neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: {23} Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: So shall they be my people, and I will be their God. {24} And DAVID MY SERVANT SHALL BE KING OVER THEM; AND THEY ALL SHALL HAVE ONE SHEPHERD: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. {25} And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever. {26} Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. {27} My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people. {28} And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore."

This passage refers to the future prophetic regathering of Israel and restoration of her land by God and God alone. This passage has nothing at all to do with the Church, but with a warring and divided Israel reunited by God their Savior. This reunited Israel will forsake their idolatry, including their worship of the Law above the Law Giver. "David my servant" is a reference to Jesus Christ, the rightful heir to the Davidic Throne, who will rule over this reunited nation. This people shall live at one and in peace with the Lord in their rightful and promised Land. This passage is clearly a reference to the Millennial and future reign of Christ on the earth. This prophecy has not come to pass, nor is it likely to come to pass by any means that man may employ. Why?

1. Israel is back in PART of their land, but not in all of their land. Much of their land is still occupied by NON-Israelites, the Arabic people.

2. Israel cannot rebuild her Temple, for the place where the Temple should be built is already occupied by a Muslim Mosque - under Arabic/ Muslim control.

3. The genealogical records of the Jews were destroyed during their many dispersions, particularly during the final great dispersion in 70 AD. Thus, most Jews have no idea of what "tribe" they are descended from. The Ten Northern tribes are generally referred to as the "Ten Lost Tribes". God will have to sort out and regather all of Israel in all of the land. It is beyond man's ability.

A few final notes. There are some untruths that the modern day Judaizers teach in order to trap believers into equating the Church with Israel. First of all is the mistaken teaching "You can be an Israelite but not a Jew". Though it is true that "Jew" originally described an inhabitant of Judah, it was commonly used by non-Jews to refer to all Hebrew people, i.e. descendant of Abraham and Isaac. By New Testament times "Jew" was a common term used for all Israelites, regardless as to where they were born. Again I refer to:

(Romans 1:16 KJV) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; TO THE JEW FIRST, AND ALSO TO THE GREEK."

The Gospel came to the JEW first (the Israelites) and also to the Greek (the Gentiles).

(Romans 10:12-13 KJV) "For there is NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JEW AND THE GREEK: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. {13} For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

God will save either JEW (Israelite) or Greek (Gentile) if they call on the name of Jesus.

(Galatians 3:28 KJV) "There is NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

In the Church there are no longer racial distinctions of ISRAELITE or GENTILE, but we are all one in Christ.

(Colossians 3:11 KJV) "WHERE THERE IS NEITHER GREEK NOR JEW, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."

Same as before stated, only more specific. Jew is the same as Israelite.

(Galatians 2:14 KJV) "But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, IF THOU, BEING A JEW, LIVEST AFTER THE MANNER OF GENTILES, AND NOT AS DO THE JEWS, WHY COMPELLEST THOU THE GENTILES TO LIVE AS DO THE JEWS?"

Paul, one of Gamaliel's scholars, shows that "Jew" was commonly used to designate, not just a person from Judah, but ANY Israelite of ANY tribe.

(Titus 1:14 KJV) "NOT GIVING HEED TO JEWISH FABLES, AND COMMANDMENTS OF MEN, that turn from the truth."

Paul refers to the propaganda that the Israelites pushed as "Jewish fables". Thus to say that "you can be an Israelite and not be a Jew" is to split hairs where none should be split. Jew was a common word in Old as well as New Testament times for "an Israelite". Period.

Second, the Judaizers teach that "Torah" is the modus operandi or normal Christian Life today. The Hebrew word [tora'] occurs about 220 times in the Old Testament. Here is a key point: [tora'] is given by God, but ALWAYS THROUGH HUMAN INTERMEDIARIES in the Old Testament, such as Moses, priests, and prophets. [tora'] meant both LAW as well as INSTRUCTION FROM GOD, which was also LAW. The written LAW of God, the [tora'], was a shadow of the system that we now have in Christianity, the Law of the Spirit. Christians are delivered from the Israelitic limitations of the [tora'] and are under a greater thing:

(Romans 7:6 KJV) "But NOW WE ARE DELIVERED FROM THE LAW, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter."

(Romans 8:2-6 KJV) "For the LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST JESUS HATH MADE ME FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH. {3} For what the LAW COULD NOT DO, IN THAT IT WAS WEAK THROUGH THE FLESH, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US, WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE FLESH, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT. {5} For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. {6} For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

If anyone is trying to live the Christian way of life by [tora'], then they are missing the boat! Yes, we study and revere God's Word, both Old and New Testament. But we do not have the dead [tora'] that the Jews had. The Christian way of life is a SUPERNATURAL way of life. It is a SPIRITUAL way of life. No, we do not have [tora'] in Christianity today, we have the Spirit of God and the Word of Life.

(Galatians 3:2-5 KJV) "This only would I learn of you, RECEIVED YE THE SPIRIT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW, OR BY THE HEARING OF FAITH? {3} ARE YE SO FOOLISH? HAVING BEGUN IN THE SPIRIT, ARE YE NOW MADE PERFECT BY THE FLESH? {4} Have ye suffered So many things in vain? if it be yet in vain. {5} He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"

Do not be trapped by the Judaizers ... they want to rob you of your freedom in Christ! Jesus DID COME FIRST for the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. That is why He told the Gentile woman:

(Matthew 15:22-28 KJV) "And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. {23} But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. {24} But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. {25} Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. {26} But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it to dogs. {27} And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. {28} Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour."

This was a woman of Canaan, a Gentile, and Jesus came FIRST for Israel, the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. These Israelites (not Gentiles, else why did Jesus refuse to help the Canaanite?) were "the children" that Christ came for. But Israel rejected and crucified Messiah, and the Lord offered salvation to all nations. This is Grace, that we who were dogs were grafted in to the promises of God. But we are not Israel, not Judah, not the House of Israel. We are the Church of Jesus Christ, born of His Blood, separated from the [tora'] to live by the Word and the Spirit. We are the "righteous by faith in Christ Jesus" who possess the Reality, Christ, and have no need to go back to the ritualism and impotence of the Law. We are children of the inheritance, and our inheritance is Spiritual, not of this earth as is Israel, but of the Heavens.

And frankly, I don't want the portion that is Israel's. We have the greater, dear believers, we have the Greater.

God Bless and keep you, now and into eternity.

Pastor David
http://www.bibleteacher.org