One Olive Tree: The Gospel, Israel, and the Church in the Word of God
Introduction
Many today are confused by teachings that suggest God has two separate peoples — Israel and the Church — or that there will one day be a special salvation for ethnic Israel apart from faith in Christ. Some call this “Replacement Theology” when the truth of Scripture is taught, hoping to discredit the Gospel. But the Word of God is clear and consistent.
From Genesis to Revelation, the promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ alone. There is one olive tree, one Gospel, and one way to the Father — through the Son (John 14:6). This teaching will set forth the truth plainly using only the King James Bible, so no one is misled by false interpretations.
1. The Gospel is Unchanging
John 14:6 — “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Acts 4:12 — “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
No prophecy, no covenant, no promise can ever bypass this. If anyone teaches another path — even for Israel — they break the line of Scripture.
Q&A (English)
Q: Can Jews be saved by the old covenant without Jesus?
A: No. Paul makes clear that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness (Romans 10:4).
Q: Does the Gospel ever change for any group?
A: Never. Galatians 1:8 warns against any other gospel.
Q&A (Afrikaans)
V: Kan Jode gered word deur die ou verbond sonder Jesus?
A: Nee. Paulus sê duidelik Christus is die einde van die wet tot geregtigheid (Romeine 10:4).
V: Verander die Evangelie ooit vir enige groep?
A: Nooit. Galasiërs 1:8 waarsku teen enige ander evangelie.
2. The Olive Tree: One People of God
Romans 11:17 — “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree…”
There is one olive tree. The unbelieving natural branches (unbelieving Jews) were cut off. Believing Gentiles were grafted in. But God can graft back in Jews through faith in Christ.
Q&A (English)
Q: Does the olive tree represent Israel only?
A: No, it represents the one people of God rooted in His promises, fulfilled in Christ.
Q: What happens to unbelievers, Jew or Gentile?
A: They are cut off (Romans 11:20). Faith alone keeps one in the tree.
Q&A (Afrikaans)
V: Verteenwoordig die olyfboom net Israel?
A: Nee, dit verteenwoordig die een volk van God, gewortel in Sy beloftes, vervul in Christus.
V: Wat gebeur met ongelowiges, Jood of Heiden?
A: Hulle word afgekap (Romeine 11:20). Slegs geloof hou jou in die boom.
3. “All Israel Shall Be Saved” — What It Means
Romans 11:26 — “And so all Israel shall be saved…”
The phrase “And so” means “in this manner.” Paul is not teaching a future ethnic salvation event but describing the way salvation comes: through faith in Christ, for Jews and Gentiles alike.
Romans 11:23 — “And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in…”
“All Israel” = the fullness of the elect remnant of Jews, together with the fullness of the Gentiles.
Q&A (English)
Q: Does “all Israel” mean every Jew in the future will be saved?
A: No. Romans 9:27 says, “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.”
Q: How then will all Israel be saved?
A: By faith, in the same way Gentiles are — through Christ.
Q&A (Afrikaans)
V: Beteken “gans Israel” dat elke Jood in die toekoms gered sal word?
A: Nee. Romeine 9:27 sê, “Al sou die getal van die kinders van Israel wees soos die sand van die see, net die oorblyfsel sal gered word.”
V: Hoe sal gans Israel dan gered word?
A: Deur geloof, op dieselfde manier as die heidene — deur Christus.
4. Fulfillment, Not Replacement
Matthew 5:17 — “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
Jesus fulfills the promises made to Abraham. Believers in Christ, whether Jew or Gentile, are Abraham’s seed.
Galatians 3:29 — “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
This is not replacement but fulfillment.
Q&A (English)
Q: Has the Church replaced Israel?
A: No. The Church is the fulfillment of the promises, not a replacement.
Q: Who are the heirs of Abraham today?
A: All who are in Christ (Galatians 3:29).
Q&A (Afrikaans)
V: Het die Kerk Israel vervang?
A: Nee. Die Kerk is die vervulling van die beloftes, nie ’n vervanging nie.
V: Wie is vandag die erfgename van Abraham?
A: Almal wat in Christus is (Galasiërs 3:29).
5. Unity in Christ — Jew and Gentile Together
Ephesians 2:14–16 — “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us…”
In Christ there is no longer division between Jew and Gentile. There is one new man, one body, reconciled to God by the cross.
Q&A (English)
Q: Are Jews and Gentiles still two separate peoples of God?
A: No. Christ has made both one (Ephesians 2:14).
Q: Is there more than one way of salvation?
A: No. One Lord, one faith, one baptism (Ephesians 4:5).
Q&A (Afrikaans)
V: Is Jode en Heidene steeds twee aparte volke van God?
A: Nee. Christus het altwee een gemaak (Efesiërs 2:14).
V: Is daar meer as een weg tot saligheid?
A: Nee. Een Here, een geloof, een doop (Efesiërs 4:5).
Conclusion
The message is consistent from beginning to end:
- The Gospel is unchanging (John 14:6).
- There is one olive tree (Romans 11).
- “All Israel” is saved only in Christ (Romans 11:26).
- The Church is the fulfillment, not the replacement (Galatians 3:29).
- Jew and Gentile are one in Christ (Ephesians 2:14–16).
Any teaching that breaks this consistency — whether by offering another covenant for Israel or by suggesting two separate peoples of God — is not the Gospel.
There is one way, one people, one salvation — all through Jesus Christ the Lord.
Posted in Religion by PE Van Blerk with comments disabled.