Has the Church Replaced Israel? Answering Misused Scriptures and Rising Antisemitism

When Misused Verses Become Weapons

• Antisemitism is increasing—even among professing Christians

• Some online voices weaponize Scripture to deny Israel's ongoing place in God's plan.

• A recent example labeled Christian support for Israel as "satanic," citing Matthew 21:43; Romans 9:6; and Galatians 3:29.

Here is the recent statement:

“Those people over there who claim to be Israel are not Christ’s… God’s chosen people are believers in Christ, always have been, always will be. This is biblical — this idiot’s theology is satanic.”

Such language reveals not only a misunderstanding of Scripture, but a heart posture Scripture itself rebukes. Sadly, these sentiments are becoming more common as antisemitism resurges and replacement theology spreads online under new labels.

This article is not written to win an argument. It is written to bring biblical clarity, theological sobriety, and Christian charity back into a conversation clouded by hostility.

Does Matthew 21:43 Teach Replacement Theology?

“The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matthew 21:43)

Replacement theologians claim this means God permanently took the kingdom from Israel and gave it to the Church. But the context—and Christ’s own words—say otherwise.

• Jesus is speaking to Israel’s unbelieving leaders—not abolishing Israel as a nation - Matthew 21:43 is directed at the corrupt religious establishment (21:45), not every Jew, and certainly not the nation in perpetuity.

• Jesus Himself affirms Israel’s future repentance. Just two chapters later, He says:

“Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 23:39)

If Israel as a nation is permanently rejected, this verse becomes impossible.

The “nation” that will bear fruit is the future repentant Israel, not the Church replacing Israel.

What About Romans 9:6? — “They Are Not All Israel”

“For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” (Romans 9:6)

Replacement theologians stop reading here, but Paul does not stop writing here.

1. Paul distinguishes believing Israel from unbelieving Israel — he does not abolish Israel. Romans 9:6 simply means this: Not every ethnic Jew is automatically saved. It does not mean:

   
   

   • Jews are no longer Israel

   • the Church is the “new Israel”

   • God has ended His covenant with Abraham’s descendants

     
     

Paul’s very next statements confirm Israel still holds her covenantal identity:

“To whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants…” (Romans 9:4) - Note the Present tense.

If Israel’s covenants no longer apply to ethnic Israel, Romans 9:4 makes no sense.

Paul’s point:

• Some Jews are saved → true Israel spiritually.

• Some are not → still Israel physically.

• But the nation’s covenant remains intact.

2. Paul devotes three entire chapters (Romans 9–11) to refuting the claim that Israel is finished including:

• God has not cast away His people (11:1)

• Israel’s fall is temporary (11:11)

• Gentiles must not boast against Israel (11:18).

• All Israel shall be saved (11:26)

• Israel is still beloved (11:28)

• God’s calling of Israel is irrevocable (11:29)

Romans 9–11 is about covenant identity, not salvation.

Romans 9:6 is about salvation, not covenant identity.

Replacement theology confuses the two.

Does Galatians 3:29 Mean the Church Replaces Israel?

“If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed…” (Galatians 3:29)

Yes — believers in Christ become Abraham’s spiritual seed, but Paul does not say this cancels God’s promises to Abraham’s physical seed. He never states that the church inherits Israel's national promises.

If Galatians 3 cancelled Israel’s covenants:

• Romans 11:28–29 would be false

• God’s promise to Abraham’s descendants would be broken

• Jesus would contradict Gabriel’s prophecy (Luke 1:31–33)

• The prophets promise of Israel’s restoration would be canceled

• God’s character would be called into question

Galatians speaks of salvation identity, not covenant identity.

The Church is Abraham’s spiritual family. Spiritual Seed = Believers in Christ.

Israel remains Abraham’s physical, covenant family. Physical Seed = Abraham's Descendants

Both are true, and the Bible keeps them distinct.

The Bible Commands Christians to Bless the Jewish People

“I will bless them that bless thee…” (Genesis 12:3) - Yes, Abraham personally, but this promise is reaffirmed to Isaac, Jacob, and their descendents.

God did not revoke this when Israel sinned. He reaffirmed it repeatedly:

• Numbers 24:9 — “Blessed is he that blesseth thee.”

• Psalm 122:6 — “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

• Ezekiel 36–37 — God will regather, restore, and replant Israel.

• Jeremiah 31:35-37 — Israel cannot cease as a nation unless the universe collapses.

This truth is restated in the New Testament

• Jesus affirms a future national repentance - Matthew 23:39 -

  "For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."

• Paul says Israel is still beloved. Romans 11:28 — “They are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.”

• Paul says their calling is irrevocable. Romans 11:29 -  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

To bless the Jewish people is not political.

It is obedience to Scripture.

To curse the Jewish people is not theological.

It is rebellion against Scripture.

Replacement Theology’s Fruit: Arrogance, Division, and Contempt

When a person confidently announces online:

“Those people over there who claim to be Israel are NOT Israel.”

They have done what God warns Gentile believers never to do:

“Boast not against the branches.” (Romans 11:18)

To claim the Church has become Israel is to repeat the very arrogance Paul condemns.

Replacement Theology’s Real Problem: A Confusion of Categories

Replacement theologians collapse three biblical categories into one:

• Salvation identity (who is saved)

• Covenant identity (to whom God made national promises)

• Future prophetic identity (what God will do with Israel in the last days)

This confusion distorts Scripture, fosters arrogance toward the Jewish people, contradicts Romans 11 directly, and historically has led to antisemitism

Biblical Theology Holds These Truths Together

The Church and Israel are distinct but both are loved by God

• The Church = the Body of Christ (Eph. 3).

• Israel = the covenant nation God will restore (Rom. 11).

Salvation is the same for Jew and Gentile - Through Jesus, not law or lineage.

Israel has a future in God’s plan

• National repentance

• National restoration

• National fulfillment of promises

Christians must maintain a heart posture of humility

“Boast not against the branches…” — Romans 11:18

Christ’s Church and Israel Are Different — and Both Are Loved

The Bible’s teaching is beautifully balanced:

• The Church does not replace Israel.

• Israel does not replace the Church.

• Both are part of God’s redemptive plan.

• Salvation is the same for Jew and Gentile.

• God will restore Israel nationally (Romans 11; Zech. 12–14).

• The Church is God’s redeemed people in this age.

God is faithful to the Church.

God is faithful to Israel.

God is faithful to His covenant with Abraham.

And God is faithful to His promise to bless the Jewish people.

Let the Bible, Not Twitter, Shape Our Theology

Replacement theology grows best where Scripture is read in fragments and anger shapes interpretation.

But when the whole counsel of God is considered — Genesis to Revelation — one truth shines:

God still loves Israel, still has a future for Israel, and still calls Christians to bless the Jewish people. He will fulfill every promise He ever made to Israel. Any theology that denies this is not rooted in the full counsel of God.

To deny this truth is to deny the plain meaning of God’s Word.

To embrace it is to align oneself with the heart of God.