I've read stats claiming 90% of American Christians hold to some form of Replacement Theology. I tend to believe it. One example is the many who consider themselves not only elect for salvation but call themselves "The Elect". There's not a single verse in all of Scripture where a Gentile is explicitly called The Elect. There are several places where Israel is explicitly called The Elect and two in the New Testament that reveal being The Elect isn't synonymous with salvation.
There is a third term for Replacement Theology and Supersessionism. The phrase is "Fulfillment Theology," a term that is intended to hide the antisemitic nature of Supersessionism.
Replace Israel. The Church has always been Israel. In Christ Gentiles are grafted into his church(which is Israel). Anybody not in the church is not a part of Israel. This has always been the teaching of the church.
The Church and Israel are not the same. Romans 11 makes a clear distinction between national Israel and the Church. Paul speaks of Israel's future salvation as a distinct people. If the Church is Israel, then none of Romans 9–11 makes sense.
“We did not replace Israel.” ✅ True
Absolutely. The Church does not replace Israel. We are grafted in, not swapped in (Romans 11:17-18).
“The Church has always been Israel.” ❌ False
The Church began at Pentecost. It was a “mystery” hidden in past ages (Ephesians 3:4-6). Israel existed long before, with different roles and covenants. They are not the same thing.
“In Christ, Gentiles are grafted into His church (which is Israel).” ⚠️ Misleading
Gentiles are grafted into the olive tree of God’s promises (Romans 11), but that tree is rooted in Abraham—not national Israel. The Church is not Israel, but shares in the spiritual blessings promised through Christ.
“Anybody not in the Church is not a part of Israel.” ❌ False
Ethnic Israel still exists as a people group, even if in unbelief (Romans 11:28). God has a plan for their future redemption. Being outside the Church doesn’t erase God’s covenant with them.
“This has always been the teaching of the Church.” ❌ False
The early Church, especially the Jewish apostles, saw Israel and the Church as distinct. Replacement theology became common later, especially through Augustine and the medieval Church.
Bottom line: The Church is not Israel. It didn’t replace Israel. But in Christ, both Jew and Gentile are made one without erasing the distinct identities or covenants God has made. Let’s stick to what the Word actually says. 😀😀
I've read stats claiming 90% of American Christians hold to some form of Replacement Theology. I tend to believe it. One example is the many who consider themselves not only elect for salvation but call themselves "The Elect". There's not a single verse in all of Scripture where a Gentile is explicitly called The Elect. There are several places where Israel is explicitly called The Elect and two in the New Testament that reveal being The Elect isn't synonymous with salvation.
There is a third term for Replacement Theology and Supersessionism. The phrase is "Fulfillment Theology," a term that is intended to hide the antisemitic nature of Supersessionism.
I mention Supersessionism in the article...
I frequently hear the term Fulfillment Theology tossed about. It's the same thing as Supersessionism.
The church has not replaced Israel. However: the new covenant that God promised has replaced the old covenant.
The church is Israel. We did not
Replace Israel. The Church has always been Israel. In Christ Gentiles are grafted into his church(which is Israel). Anybody not in the church is not a part of Israel. This has always been the teaching of the church.
Your comment is a mix of truth and error,
“The Church is Israel.” ❌ False
The Church and Israel are not the same. Romans 11 makes a clear distinction between national Israel and the Church. Paul speaks of Israel's future salvation as a distinct people. If the Church is Israel, then none of Romans 9–11 makes sense.
“We did not replace Israel.” ✅ True
Absolutely. The Church does not replace Israel. We are grafted in, not swapped in (Romans 11:17-18).
“The Church has always been Israel.” ❌ False
The Church began at Pentecost. It was a “mystery” hidden in past ages (Ephesians 3:4-6). Israel existed long before, with different roles and covenants. They are not the same thing.
“In Christ, Gentiles are grafted into His church (which is Israel).” ⚠️ Misleading
Gentiles are grafted into the olive tree of God’s promises (Romans 11), but that tree is rooted in Abraham—not national Israel. The Church is not Israel, but shares in the spiritual blessings promised through Christ.
“Anybody not in the Church is not a part of Israel.” ❌ False
Ethnic Israel still exists as a people group, even if in unbelief (Romans 11:28). God has a plan for their future redemption. Being outside the Church doesn’t erase God’s covenant with them.
“This has always been the teaching of the Church.” ❌ False
The early Church, especially the Jewish apostles, saw Israel and the Church as distinct. Replacement theology became common later, especially through Augustine and the medieval Church.
Bottom line: The Church is not Israel. It didn’t replace Israel. But in Christ, both Jew and Gentile are made one without erasing the distinct identities or covenants God has made. Let’s stick to what the Word actually says. 😀😀