ToraChrist

Tag: salvation

  • 8. Did Jesus Die for All People?

    8. Did Jesus Die for All People?

    It is often claimed that God loves all people and, therefore, the crucifixion of our Redeemer applies universally to all mankind.
    But this interpretation is complete nonsense.
    If that were true, then there would be no Final Judgment at the end of days.

    Jesus died only for His people, and His people are the smallest on earth:

    “The LORD did not set his love upon you nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people.”
    (Deuteronomy 7:7, Luther 1545)

    So when we read today that there are over 2 billion Christians, it should give us serious pause.
    That would mean roughly one in four people on earth is a true follower of Christ.
    This clearly contradicts the Holy Scriptures.

    Our Redeemer Himself also said:

    “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
    (Matthew 7:23, Luther 1545)

    If our Redeemer did not die for all people, then how are we to understand His crucifixion and resurrection?

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    God’s people consist primarily of one single family:

    The descendants of Jacob, who was later renamed Israel.

    And just like with any earthly family, anyone can become a member—either through marriage or adoption.

    To become part of God’s people, one must accept God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as King and Redeemer.

    This was already demonstrated during the Exodus from Egypt.
    Back then, not only Israelites left Egypt—some Egyptians joined them as well.

    This is specifically noted in Scripture, and after that, there is no longer any distinction made between the Israelites and the Egyptians:

    “And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.
    And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.”
    (Exodus 12:37–38, Luther 1545)

    Even the Ten Commandments emphasize that the laws also apply to the strangers living among the people.

    Likewise, the story of Ruth shows us that whoever accepts God, His Son, and His statutes becomes part of His people.

    Only after we confess Christ as our Redeemer and accept His commandments, does the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ become effective for us.

  • 1. Are Jews and Christians Different?

    1. Are Jews and Christians Different?

    From a general point of view, Christians and Jews are regarded as similar but not the same. I often find that most people are unaware that “the Jew” as a single identity does not truly exist. Within Judaism, there are many different denominations. There are even Messianic Jews who have also accepted our Saviour. However, all of these belief systems are entirely man-made and not in harmony with the Bible.

    The Holy Scriptures consistently distinguish between two groups: God’s people (faithful followers) and idolaters (all others). Whether we call ourselves Orthodox Jews, Messianic Jews, Catholic Christians, Protestant Christians, or anything else, it does not matter to God or His Son. Our Saviour does not care in which group we feel most at home—so long as we sincerely follow Him.

    In the Holy Scriptures, God’s people are, after King Solomon’s reign, divided into two camps: ten tribes in the northern kingdom (House of Israel) and two tribes in the southern kingdom (House of Judah). Over time, only the southern kingdom remained as a recognisable group. Their brothers from the northern kingdom intermingled with other peoples and thus became lost.

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    Jesus was born in the southern kingdom and first taught them. But when they did not accept Him, He said:

    “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”
    (John 10:16, Luther 1545)

    When Jesus speaks of sheep not of this fold, He refers to the lost northern kingdom. We also find confirmation of this in Scripture:

    “And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”
    (Matthew 24:31, Luther 1545)

    “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.”
    (Revelation 7:9, Luther 1545)

    From a biblical standpoint, there is no fundamental difference between Jew and Christian. Already in the books of the minor prophets it is foretold that both houses will be reunited into one people.

    Historically, too, there is no distinction between Jews and Christians. As mentioned, our Saviour was born into the tribe of Judah. His disciples—including more than just the well-known twelve—were Jews as well. Jesus and later the apostles preached in Jewish synagogues. Their lifestyle was what we would today label as “typically Jewish.”

    In the early Christian community of the first century A.D., those who chose to follow Jesus effectively chose a denomination within Judaism. Because this group taught certain distinct doctrines, they were referred to as a sect. Today, the word “sect” carries a negative connotation, but originally it simply meant:

    “A smaller religious community that split off from a larger religious group because it emphasised different positions than the original community.”
    (Duden Online, accessed 18 March 2023, 21:46)

    If you watch a documentary or read an entry in a Bible lexicon, you’ll find that there is no debate on this point: the first Christians were Jews. In this sense, there is no essential difference between Jews and Christians. Strictly speaking, there is only one people of God, among whom no distinction is made based on ancestry.

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