The terms Christianity and Christian have been employed historically to describe the Divine salvation proclaimed by Jesus of Nazareth. These terms are offensive to Jews. But to use names other than Christian and Christianity in this booklet, runs the risk of perpetuating the myth that God's salvation through Christ is a Gentile religion and that God has some other program for the Jews; or that the various Jewish Messianic congregations are somewhat acceptable splinter groups of the great "Gentile Church."

In spite of the risk of suggesting (by the omission of the name, Christian) that the Christian religion is Gentile and we now are speaking of some other plan of redemption for the Jews, we will minimize as far as possible the use of the terms Christian and Christianity in deference to the feelings of Jewish readers. Let it be very clear, however, that we are speaking only of the one Divine salvation that historically has been named "Christianity."

The name "Christian" indeed is hated by many Jews, and rightfully so. However, the time has come for the Jewish people to realize the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, announced by Jesus of Nazareth, is their bread, and that Gentile believers are "strangers" whom God has seen fit to add to the one Jewish olive tree.

But he [Jesus] answered and said, It is not right to take the children's [Jews'] bread, and to cast it to dogs [Gentiles]. (Matthew 15:26)

One of the greatest misunderstandings of all time is that the religion having to do with Jesus of Nazareth is a Gentile religion.

In actuality, there is no such thing as a Gentile Church—Christian or otherwise.

Later on we will be stressing that there is only one Kingdom, one Church, one Body of Christ. In connection with the oneness of God's elect, let us emphasize two concepts:

When referring to the one Church, the one new Man, we are not speaking of a great "Gentile Church" to which a few Jews have been added. Jews are never added to a so-called Gentile Church. Never! Never! Never! The Church is the "commonwealth of Israel." The truth is, a few Gentiles are added to the great Jewish Church. Believing Gentiles are grafted on the Jewish olive tree.

The second concept has to do with the integrity of the land and people of Israel. God has chosen the land and people of Israel in a manner that is not true of any other area or race. The Kingdom of God began with the Jews and will end with the Jews.

The prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures concerning the Kingdom of God refer to God's elect whether Jewish or Gentile by race. However, some of the prophecies of the Scriptures are pointed at physical Israel and are not to be "spiritualized" so as to refer to the Church.

It is also true that other prophecies have a double meaning, such as the "dry bones" of Ezekiel. The uniting of the bones portrays both the restoration of physical Israel and the restoration of spiritual Israel. The two restorations are on a converging course and finally will become one.

Still other prophecies, such as Isaiah, Chapter 53, refer only to Christ, the Lord Jesus, His work of atonement and final vindication.

To be continued.