~ Proverbs 18:13 ~
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”
Opening Word
The following series of questions is not meant to trap, argue, or humiliate. It’s a sincere effort to engage fellow believers in truthful, Scripture-based reflection about a major theological issue: who are God’s people today, and what role—if any—does the modern state of Israel play in God’s redemptive plan?
Many of us have inherited teachings that equate modern Israel with biblical Israel. These questions aim to lovingly and honestly challenge those assumptions with Scripture, history, and logic. The heart behind this is not accusation—but invitation:
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
QUESTION / INQUIRY 1
According to the New Testament, who are considered the true people of God today?
A. Ethnic Jews who follow the traditions of their forefathers.
B. All who believe in God and try to live morally.
C. Those who are physically descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
D. Those who are in Christ by faith, whether Jew or Gentile.
✅ Correct Answer: D — Those who are in Christ by faith, whether Jew or Gentile.
📖 Scripture Support:
- Galatians 3:26–29 – “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus… There is neither Jew nor Greek… And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
- Romans 2:28–29 – “He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly… but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly…”
- Romans 9:6–8 – “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel… The children of the promise are counted for the seed.”
- Galatians 6:15–16 – “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”
💬 Discussion Insight:
This question gets to the heart of covenant identity. Many assume “God’s people” must still be defined ethnically—but Scripture is clear that faith in Christ, not flesh or ancestry, is the new covenant standard. God’s people are those who are born again, not just born Jewish.
If you selected A or C, then read next questions:
“Does Paul anywhere in the New Testament affirm that being born Jewish guarantees covenant identity after Christ? Or does he redefine God’s people as those in Christ?”
Suggest we be guided by Galatians 3:29 and Romans 9:8.
QUESTION / INQUIRY 2
Scenario: A group from Scandinavia or Africa claims the land of Israel as their inheritance from God.
Question: What would be the best response?
A. They would need to prove descent from Jacob.
B. If they believe God gave it to them, that’s enough.
C. All land claims are valid if sincerely believed.
D. The land promise was fulfilled already; under the New Covenant, no modern ethnic group has divine claim.
✅ Correct Answer: D
📖 Joshua 21:43–45; Galatians 3:29; Romans 9:6–8
QUESTION / INQUIRY 3
As a believer in Christ, how do you respond to the scenario in Question 2?
A. Only Jacob’s physical descendants can claim the land.
B. No group can claim divine land rights outside of Christ.
C. Israel’s 1948 return was prophecy fulfilled.
D. Jews always have a right to the land no matter what.
✅ Correct Answer: B
📖 Galatians 3:16, 3:29; Galatians 6:16; John 8:39
Correction if C or D chosen:
Consider this: if the land promise is eternal for ethnic Jews, where is that reaffirmed in the New Testament after Christ fulfilled the law? Why would Christ prophesy the temple’s destruction in Matthew 24:2 if God intended a future restoration of the old system?
QUESTION / INQUIRY 4
Where in Scripture does God promise the land 2000 years into the future? Wouldn’t claimants need to prove descent from Jacob?
A. Yes, and there’s no such future land promise in NT Scripture.
B. The land promise is unconditional and applies to all Jews today.
C. Modern statehood proves divine favor.
D. The church shares in the promise but ethnic Jews still get the land.
✅ Correct Answer: A
📖 Joshua 21:43–45; Hebrews 8:13
QUESTION / INQUIRY 5
If many who claim to be Israel today descend from Khazars, Edomites, or secular backgrounds, what should we conclude?
A. Lineage is no longer the issue—faith in Christ is.
B. We should support them anyway out of tradition.
C. Calling themselves Jews is enough.
D. Being in the land proves their right.
✅ Correct Answer: A
📖 Romans 9:6–8; John 8:39; Galatians 3:29
📚 Historical: Khazar conversion (Shlomo Sand); Edomite conversion (Josephus, Antiquities 13.9.1); Additional Cites on Khazar
QUESTION / INQUIRY 6
What if another group—say, Northern Europeans—made the same claim? If modern claimants can’t prove descent either, what’s the difference?
A. Neither group has a valid biblical claim today.
B. Israel’s tradition gives their claim more weight.
C. Whoever holds political power owns the land.
D. Ethnic Jews alone hold divine title.
✅ Correct Answer: A
📖 Romans 2:28–29; Galatians 3:28; Acts 10:34–35
🔎 Reflection: Why the Temple Was Destroyed Matters
Before moving to the next question, consider this:
Jesus prophesied that the temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6), and that came to pass in 70 A.D. That temple was the center of the Old Covenant—where sacrifices were made for sin. But the New Testament says that Christ’s sacrifice was final and sufficient (Hebrews 10:10–14). Once He offered Himself, there was no more need for animal sacrifices—or the temple.
Hebrews 8:13 — “Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”
If God intended to restore the sacrificial system and temple worship, why would He have allowed its destruction right after Christ fulfilled it?
QUESTION / INQUIRY 7
Considering Galatians 3:29 and 6:16, and the New Covenant in Christ, is God’s promise still about a physical land—or something greater?
A. No. It now points to a heavenly inheritance in Christ.
B. Yes. The land is eternally theirs.
C. The church inherits spiritual promises; Jews inherit land.
D. God will rebuild the temple and reinstitute sacrifices.
✅ Correct Answer: A
📖 Galatians 3:29; Hebrews 11:10, 13–16; Hebrews 10:10–14
Correction if B or D chosen:
If God planned to restore land and temple sacrifices, why did Jesus say not one stone would remain (Matt. 24:2)? And why does Hebrews say there’s no more sacrifice for sin? Christ is the fulfillment—not a placeholder (Colossians 2:17).
QUESTION / INQUIRY 8
If most modern claimants to the land cannot trace their lineage to Jacob, what should a follower of Christ do with that?
A. Examine the claim by Scripture, not assumptions.
B. Support them regardless—it’s too sensitive to question.
C. As long as they keep Jewish traditions, their claim is valid.
D. Being politically in the land makes them God’s people.
✅ Correct Answer: A
📖 Acts 17:11; Romans 9:6–8; Galatians 4:16
Gracious correction if you chose B or C:
We don’t question out of malice, but out of love for truth. If identity no longer comes by the flesh (Romans 9:8), then we must be Bereans and test every claim—even traditional ones.
🧭 Final Encouragement
These questions aren’t intended to create division but to equip believers to think biblically—not politically or traditionally. If we base our support of modern Israel on theology, we should ensure it’s sound theology, rooted in Scripture, not sentiment.
Let’s remember:
Romans 2:28–29
“He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly… But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly…”Galatians 3:29
“If ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
