I grew up under the Replacement Theology - aka Dispensationalist view. This theology teaches that Israel was God's chosen people up into the miracle at Pentecost in the book of Acts. And that after that, the church became God's chosen people, replacing Israel.
However, I was reading in the book of Romans yesterday - specifically Romans chapter 11. Of course I went back to chapter 9 to get the context. When you read 9-11 together, Paul makes it clear that Israel is the Olive Tree. Some branches were broken off the tree (those who rejected Christ) so that the Gentiles could be grafted in. Into what? The Olive Tree. The Olive Tree is who again? Israel. Who is the Root of that tree? Jesus Christ. Paul warns the Gentile believers not to boast or brag about being grafted in - as if we are better than Israel. Salvation was brought to the Gentiles in order to provoke Israel to jealousy! If you keep reading, Paul says all will be saved! All who? All of the new olive tree (both original and grafted in)....
This passage makes it pretty clear that Israel (the olive tree) represents all who have trusted in Christ - both Gentile and Jew alike.
However, I was reading in the book of Romans yesterday - specifically Romans chapter 11. Of course I went back to chapter 9 to get the context. When you read 9-11 together, Paul makes it clear that Israel is the Olive Tree. Some branches were broken off the tree (those who rejected Christ) so that the Gentiles could be grafted in. Into what? The Olive Tree. The Olive Tree is who again? Israel. Who is the Root of that tree? Jesus Christ. Paul warns the Gentile believers not to boast or brag about being grafted in - as if we are better than Israel. Salvation was brought to the Gentiles in order to provoke Israel to jealousy! If you keep reading, Paul says all will be saved! All who? All of the new olive tree (both original and grafted in)....
This passage makes it pretty clear that Israel (the olive tree) represents all who have trusted in Christ - both Gentile and Jew alike.