Is Dispensationalism Biblical?
Most people that believe in Dispensationalism think that modern Palestinians have no right to any of Israel’s land today, even if some of these Palestinians dwelt on some of this land before 1948 (when Israel became a nation again). They believe that God favors the Jews, not the Arabs or Palestinians.
But the Bible teaches, “There is neither Jew nor Greek [Gentile]…for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Here, Paul speaks of the equal standing of Jew and non-Jew before God (Acts 10:34; Matt. 20:15). Christianity subordinates the role of race and nationality to the principle of the brotherhood of all men (Acts 17:26).
In Christ’s kingdom, all the believers are covered with the same garment of Christ’s righteousness, which they receive by faith in Jesus Christ. But to the Judaizing Christians of Paul’s day, such an idea was rejected. They maintained that the only way into the Christian church was through Judaism, that a Gentile must first be circumcised and become a Jew before he is accepted into the Christian community.
But the Lord wanted to teach His children that the Gentile believers [are] fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel. The Bible teaches, “One God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:6). Jesus Christ Himself said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Jesus Christ gave His life for the entire world (Israelis and Palestinians) and He broke down the wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles. He did it “through the cross.” Jesus died “for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2) and now Jews and Gentiles can be “of the same body,” “one in Christ Jesus.”
And by His example, Christ reached out for the Gentiles when He preached to Samaritan woman, even though “the Jews [had] no dealings with the Samaritans” (John 4:9). He also, gave the parable of the “Good Samaritan” whom He commended the Samaritan for an act of kindness to a Jewish man beaten by robbers (Luke 10:25-39). Jesus did not favor Jews above Gentiles. He loved all of His children equally.
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:14-17).
As spiritual children of Abraham, all believers become “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). As Son of God, Christ is likewise heir to the honor and glory of heaven, and those who believe in Him also inherit a position of honor in the universe that would never have been possible for created beings to enjoy had not the Son of God become flesh (John 1:1, 14).
Therefore, any favoritism to one group (Jews/Israelis) over Gentiles (Arabs/Palestinians) should be considered against the teachings of Christ. Both sides have equal rights before God. Christianity eliminates distinctions based on race, nationality, and social standing.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
