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ABRAHAM
11
The Remnant of Israel, saved from apostasy by electing grace, formed the Olive Tree, into which the believing
Gentiles were grafted. This Remnant is called the `first fruit' (verse 16), a pledge of the harvest of `all Israel' of
verse 26. The Gentiles addressed are said to have received `salvation' (verse 11), to `stand by faith' (verse 20), and
to partake with the saved Remnant `of the root and fatness of the olive tree' (verse 17).
We feel sure that no Bible student who understands grace will say that the pagan world, the Gentiles as such, did
then, or do now, `stand by faith' or enter into any of the blessings set forth in Romans 11. The apostle further calls
the Gentile addressees `brethren' (verse 25).
If once we perceive that Abrahamic blessing, and kingdom anticipations, were the characteristics of the period
covered by the Acts (as it will be once again when the kingdom is set up on earth) no difficulty will remain, and the
transitional portions of Romans, Galatians and Corinthians will be better understood.
We must not read into Romans 11 that which had not then been revealed, namely, the `One Body' of Ephesians.
Some have a difficulty with verses 21 and 22, because they feel that if this passage refers to saved Gentiles it
contradicts such a passage as Romans 8.
To be clear as to this point it must be remembered that dispensational privileges must be distinguished from
personal standing. With regard to the former - they may be lost; with regard to the latter - it is indefectible. A
comparison of Romans 11 with Galatians 3 will be helpful just here.
The `gospel' was never a `mystery hidden away from the ages and generations', but was preached before unto
Abraham; we must beware of confounding the gospel with the Mystery.
`Blessed with faithful Abraham' (Gal. 3:9).
`That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles' (Gal. 3:14 ... the same as Rom. 11).
`If ye are Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise' (Gal. 3:29).
`Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all' (Gal. 4:26).
The New Jerusalem was a part of Abrahamic blessing, certainly of Abraham's faith (see Hebrews. 11:14-16).
After Acts 28 instead of a heavenly city which comes down from heaven, we have `heavenly places in Christ', and
the `citizenship which is in heaven' (Eph. 1:3 and Phil. 3:20, Greek).
Summarizing, we find:
(1) Acts 28 is the great boundary between the present dispensation and the past (see ACTS 28, p. 26).
(2) Those epistles written before Acts 28, while containing much doctrinal teaching which remains truth for
to-day, also contain much that is transitional and much that belongs to a dispensation which has passed away.
(3) That dispensation was Abrahamic and not that of the One Body, as has been hitherto so generally supposed.
For a fuller understanding of allusions to OLIVE TREE3, to ACTS 28 (p. 26), and to PENTECOST3 see under these
respective headings. See also SEED4 and STAR SEED, DUST AND SAND4.
This covenant with Abraham must not be confused with that made 430 years afterward with Israel at Sinai, as
the argument of Galatians 3:15-20 makes clear. This covenant is especially defined as being a covenant of
`promise', in which there were no contracting parties, but One only, God, Who made the unconditional promise that
forms
the basis of the Abrahamic covenant. This aspect of the subject is more fully discussed under PROMISE3.
Doctrine. One fundamental doctrine is inseparable from the name of Abraham, namely `Justification by Faith'.
This is introduced in Genesis 15, and is given an exposition in Romans 4 and Galatians 3, where faith alone,
independently of any works of the law, is emphasized as the agent of reception. The basis of Paul's doctrine is the
record of Genesis 15. James, however, takes the reader to Genesis 22 where Abraham was `tried' and triumphed,
thereby affording an illustration of the `perfecting' of faith, a balance of truth so essential to all acceptable
preaching. To appreciate the argument of James however, a fairly full acquaintance with the meaning and
occurrence of the word `perfect' is required, and this will be found under the heading PERFECT .