Topical Bible: The Jews: Saints Remember

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "Jews" refers to the descendants of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and is often used to describe the people of Israel, God's chosen nation. The Jewish people hold a significant place in biblical history and theology, as they are the recipients of God's covenants, the bearers of His law, and the lineage through which the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came into the world.

Biblical Origins and Identity

The identity of the Jews as a distinct people begins with Abraham, whom God called out of Ur of the Chaldeans. God made a covenant with Abraham, promising to make him a great nation and to bless all the families of the earth through him (Genesis 12:1-3). This covenant was reaffirmed with Isaac and Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, and from whom the twelve tribes of Israel descended.

The term "Jew" is derived from "Judah," one of the twelve tribes, and became more widely used after the Babylonian exile when the people of Judah returned to their homeland. The Jews are often referred to as Israelites, Hebrews, or the children of Israel in the Scriptures.

Covenantal Relationship with God

The Jews are central to God's redemptive plan as revealed in the Bible. God established a covenant with them at Mount Sinai, giving them the Law through Moses. This covenant set them apart as a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5-6). The Law, including the Ten Commandments, provided moral, ceremonial, and civil guidelines for living in a way that reflected God's holiness.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Jews are depicted as God's chosen people, yet they frequently struggled with faithfulness to Him. Despite their repeated disobedience and idolatry, God remained faithful to His promises, sending prophets to call them back to repentance and to foretell the coming of the Messiah.

The Messiah and the Jews

The Jewish expectation of a Messiah is a central theme in the Old Testament. Prophecies such as those found in Isaiah 53 and Micah 5:2 pointed to a coming Savior who would deliver Israel and establish God's kingdom. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of these messianic prophecies. Born in Bethlehem, of the tribe of Judah, Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are seen as the culmination of God's promises to the Jewish people.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the continued significance of the Jews in God's plan. He writes, "I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin" (Romans 11:1). Paul explains that while many Jews did not accept Jesus as the Messiah, God's promises to Israel remain irrevocable, and there is a future hope for their full inclusion (Romans 11:25-29).

The Role of the Jews in the Early Church

The early Christian church was predominantly Jewish, with the apostles and many of the first believers being Jews who recognized Jesus as the Messiah. The Book of Acts records the spread of the Gospel beginning in Jerusalem and extending to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). The Jewish roots of Christianity are evident in the early church's practices and teachings.

As the Gospel spread to Gentile regions, tensions arose regarding the observance of the Mosaic Law. The Jerusalem Council, as described in Acts 15, addressed these issues, affirming that salvation is through grace by faith in Jesus Christ, not by adherence to the Law.

The Jews in Eschatological Perspective

In eschatological terms, the Jews continue to hold a significant place in God's future plans. Many Christians believe that biblical prophecies point to a future restoration of Israel and a spiritual awakening among the Jewish people. Passages such as Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:26 are often cited in support of this view, suggesting that there will be a time when the Jews recognize Jesus as their Messiah and experience a national revival.

The Jews, as God's chosen people, serve as a testament to His faithfulness and sovereignty throughout history. Their account is interwoven with the narrative of redemption, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises in Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 102:14
For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 137:5
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 51:50
You that have escaped the sword, go away, stand not still: remember the LORD afar off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Thou Shalt Sanctify the Holy Day. [Remember the Sabbath Day to ...
... [Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ... is not so restricted to any time, as with
the Jews, that it ... For though we had the bones of all the saints or all holy ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt sanctify the holy.htm

Saints' Days, Fasts, and Festivals.
... superstitious practice of praying to the saints, Saints' Days have ... That is, to remember
them, to study their characters ... they saw the King of the Jews laid, not ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /saints days fasts & festivals.htm

Christ, Though Known to the Jews under the Law, yet Only ...
... his person, was formerly made known to the Jews, as we ... but we must at the same time
remember the words ... same promises which were given to the saints in ancient ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 christ though known.htm

Directions How to Lead a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... As the Jews killed the Messiah while they waited for him ... Art thou delighted with
the society of the saints? remember what the perfect society in heaven will be. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xii directions how to.htm

The Communion of Saints.
... Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28); whether Jews or Gentiles ... Holy Scripture, that "The
Communion of Saints" is that ... appealed to the Corinthians to remember the bond ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter x the communion of.htm

Paul's Epistles; his Collection for the Poor Saints at Jerusalem ...
... The poor saints" that were ... To the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well ...
judgment-seat, will have reason throughout all eternity to remember the occasion ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter ix pauls epistles his.htm

The Misery of those Who, Besides Losing the Saints' Rest, Lose the ...
... of God is the present deplorable state of the Jews! ... is now beyond the comprehension
of the saints who must ... pay for all the abuse of my patience; remember how I ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vi the misery of.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... number was, but we must also remember that many ... had much in common with both Hebrew
and Hellenist Jews. ... Samaria, had been regenerated and made "saints" by Holy ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm

The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
... You remember Elijah's servant could not see anything around ... ever other insignia belong
to monarchs, saints shall have. ... at with "Hail, king of the Jews;" but we ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the kingly priesthood of the.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... and possess great light and privileges; but remember, that many ... be, that all the
church of the Jews at the ... that all the Israelites were real saints who passed ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm