John Stott - The Place of Israel

 

The Place of Israel

by John Stott [1]

Rector Emeritus,  All Souls Church, London, England

Our topic has been announced as “The Place of Israel,” and the topic that has been set for us is an object lesson in biblical hermeneutics as it’s usually called in the principles of interpreting the Bible.  But I would like to remind you right at the beginning that there are at least four ways in which the word “Israel,” whose place we are to investigate, can be used.

One:     Israel was that devious scoundrel, the second son of Isaac, whose first name was Jacob – meaning “he who deceived or he who struggles,” who amply lived up to his name – but whom God renames “Israel,” because having struggled with men all his life, he at last came to struggle with God for the blessing he needed (a blessing to which he was not entitled).

Two:     Israel is the chosen people of the Old Testament days – the 12 tribes descended from the 12 sons of Jacob called the children of Israel, because Israel (or Jacob) was a common ancestor.

Three:   Israel is the messianic community – the people of Jesus – the true descendents of Abraham because they share Abraham’s faith.  This includes Gentiles like most of us if we believe in Jesus, but excludes Jews who don’t.  When Paul ended his letter to the Galatians, “Peace and mercy upon the Israel of God,” he was referring to believers in Jesus, whatever their ethnic origin.  So Israel is the messianic community.

Four:    Israel today, for many people if you read the newspapers, is the Israeli nation, promised a national home by the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and given it in 1948.

So Israel has four meaning.  It means Jacob.  It means Jews.  It means Christians.  And it means Israelis.  And that is just the problem when you are asked who you are talking about.

To read further click HERE.

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1. John Stott was ordained into the ministry of the Church of England in 1945. He served as the senior pastor (rector) of All Souls Church in London from 1950-1975. He became Rector Emeritus in 1975 and devoted his life to a ministry of teaching worldwide, and writing.  Stott has written over 40 books. His best known, “Basic Christianity”, has been translated into more than 50 languages. Other titles include “The Cross of Christ,” The Contemporary Christian,”  “ Evangelical Truth,” “New Issues Facing Christians Today,” and eight New Testament expositions.

You Can Never Give Too Much Glory To Christ

Having stated that the true Gospel was not from man but from God, Paul makes this assertion:  “I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11–12, NIV).  From this point to the end of Chapter 2, Paul will be unpacking this position.

"Upon this he standeth, this he urgeth and with an oath confirmeth, that he learned not his Gospel of any man, but received it by the revelation of Jesus Christ. And in that he sweareth, he is constrained so to do, that the Galatians may believe him, and also, that they should give no ear to the false apostles: whom he reproveth as liars, because they had said that he learned and received his Gospel of the Apostles." [1]

When Paul writes that the Gospel he proclaimed was not from any man he is emphasizing that he received it directly and "unmediated" from the Lord Jesus.  ". . .  ἀλλὰ διʼ ἀποκαλύψεως Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ." I could say that when I preach the Gospel it is from man, in the sense that I learned it from parents, pastors and ultimately from the apostolic teaching in the New Testament.  But Paul is affirming that he was directly taught by Jesus Christ. This is that very technical use of the word "revelation" ἀποκάλυψις [ap·ok·al·oop·sis]: to disclose truth.  In this case directly from Christ.  

Luther notes that when Paul speaks of Jesus, he is not just calling him an ordinary man, "but that he is both true God and man, when he saith that he received not his Gospel by man." [1]  Luther infers that possibly the accusations against Paul were because at his conversion Ananias taught him.  But Luther counters to suggest the contrary. "Ananias was bid to go and baptise him, to lay his hands upon him, to commit the ministry of the Word unto him, and to commend him unto the Church, and not to teach him the Gospel."

The accusations of the false apostles was very strong.  It was no surprise that the Galatians questioned the authority of Paul.  Luther notes that "Moreover, the matter of justification is brittle: not of itself, for of itself it is most sure and certain, but in respect of us."   The power and prevalence of the Law is so obvious that to us all, in moments of doubt and struggle, the Law easily overpowers the Gospel in our minds.  It is a hard fight.  But we must fight to keep our mind and heart firmly established in the Gospel. Luther recalls his mentor, Johann von Staupitiz who said to him,

"... that this doctrine which thou preachest, yieldeth glory and all things else unto God alone, and nothing unto men: for unto God (it is clear as day) there cannot be attributed too much glory, goodness, &c." [1]

This was of great comfort to Luther.  It is absolutely true and the genuine Gospel robs man of all the glory, wisdom and merit and grants it to Christ of whom we can do nothing.  "We may also more safely attribute too much unto God." [1]

Father, in times of distress and anxiety, especially those that accompany doubt, a gospel framed and given by man would be of little use.  In fact Father to preach a man's gospel to a dying wretched soul would be like dosing the flames of hell with octane. The only solace, the only comfort is a Gospel that comes directly from the Throne-room of Heaven; directly for the Tri-une God, creator of Heaven and Earth; directly from the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  This is the only message that heals.  How dare we tell someone who is spiritually destitute that they must contribute to their redemption in order to have eternal life?  We would sooner ask deaf and dumb, quadriplegic to now retrieve his own medicine now that his case is stable. God forbid.  The word that we destitute people need is a word from the Living God that says, "Look to My Son and live."  Thank you for that Word.  That Word is the Gospel.  Amen.

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1.  Luther, M. (1997). Commentary on Galatians (Ga 1:11). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.