Bishop Nathaniel Lecture on Israel and Gentiles

Jun 6, 2024

Lecture Transcript Notes

Introduction

  • Speaker: Bishop Nathaniel of Israel United in Christ
  • Key Points: An Extended Thank You
    • Thanks to Booster Club members for donations and prayers
    • Mention of travels to distant countries and speaking with dignitaries
    • Cited detainment in Cuba for spreading the gospel
    • Assertion: descendants of the 12 tribes of Israel are scattered worldwide
    • Call to join or donate

Biblical Discussion

Romans 11:11

  • Scripture Citation: Romans 11:11
  • Key Points: Spiritual Blindness
    • God gave a spirit of stupor to Israel: eyes that could not see, ears that could not hear
    • Reference to David: table becomes a snare and a trap, eyes darkened, backs bent forever

Question of Reconciliation

  • Main Idea: Reconciliation and Israel's Role
    • Discussion on Israel's stumbling but not beyond recovery
    • Through Israel's transgression, salvation came to the Gentiles
    • Enrichment through their transgressions: wealth for the world
    • Greater riches expected from their full inclusion
  • Definitions: Reconciliation
    • Speaker explains reconciliation means to 'make right again'
    • Uses the analogy of a separated couple reuniting
    • Asks how Gentiles could be reconciled if they were never with God initially

Gentiles and Israel

  • Clarification: Gentiles in Scripture
    • Example: Use of Bible dictionaries
    • Definition clarified: usually meaning non-Israelite people
    • Exception cases where Gentiles refer to dispersed Israelites

Scriptural Cross-references

  • John 7:33-35
    • Jesus speaks to the world, but refers specifically to Jews in the synagogue
    • Jews amongst Gentiles
  • Maccabees (Historical Context)
    • Israel in captivity under the Greeks
    • Forced conformity to Greek customs: inability to keep the Sabbath, forced participation in Greek festivals
    • Identification as Greeks not by choice but by circumstance

Teaching Points

  • Emphasis on the notion that Israelites dispersed were labeled as Gentiles
    • Application to modern identity (e.g., Trinidadians, Jamaicans discovering Israelite roots)

Key Claims

  • Exclusive Salvation:
    • Salvation is strictly for the Israelites, not for all nations
    • Assertion that common Christian teachings on universal salvation are incorrect
    • Emphasis on Christ coming specifically for the Israelites
  • Definitions in Context: Gentiles and Greeks as Dispersed Israelites

Ephesians 2:11-13

  • Scripture Citation: Ephesians 2:11
    • Gentiles in the flesh: past identity before accepting Israelite identity
    • Distinction between circumcision (Jews) and uncircumcision (Gentiles) based on religious practice and identity

Romans 11 Revisited

  • Detailed Explanation:
    • The allegory of the olive tree: Israel is the olive tree, branches broken off represent the scattered tribes
    • Reconnection as grafting of wild olive branches (dispersed Israelites) back into the original tree
    • Cross-referenced with Jeremiah 11:16

Final Points

  • Message:
    • Unified Identity: Israelites under different names and customs (Greeks, Gentiles) but fundamentally still Israelites
    • Encouragement to join in spreading the truth and gospel.
    • Ending with a Call to Unity and Repentance for Israel.

Closing

  • IUIC Mission Statement:
    • Restoration and unification of the Israelites
    • Global mission with emphasis on repentance and living by the scriptures.