The BIG Picture (Q&A)

Jeremiah 29:11 is often quoted as a personal promise: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” But did you know this verse wasn’t written to individuals—or even to the Church? Context matters    This promise was given to Israel , specifically to the Jewish exiles in Babylon (Jer 29:1, 4, 10). God assured them that after 70 years, He would bring them back to their land. It’s a national, time-bound promise rooted in Israel’s prophetic program—not a universal life verse for believers today. Israel and the Church—two distinct programs    God’s dealings with Israel follow a prophetic program, revealed through the Old Testament prophets and centred on earthly promises. Israel was promised a land, a kingdom, and a Messiah who would reign from Jerusalem. Their timeline is visible, their covenants are physical, and their hope is tied to the earth. In contrast, the Church—the Body of Chr...

Social Media Question: Followers of Christ are grafted into the vine, correct? So that would mean that followers of Christ are Israel by faith, would it not? Jesus fulfilled the law. His disciples enter into the New Testament of Jeremiah 31, receive the Holy Spirit (Joel 2). So, under the new covenant we, gentiles, are technically Israel, sons of Jacob. Whereas the ethnic Jews who reject their Messiah are technically not God's Israel until they repent, like the rest of us. Do you agree? My Reply: One must take into account that there are two completely distinct programs in God’s redemption plan. The nation of Israel as per the Old Testament and gospels, and the Body of Christ as per Paul’s doctrine. Israel was under law, prophecy, and covenants. The Body of Christ is not under law or connected to prophecy and covenants. Thus, where many modern denominations today mix up and blend together all of the bible, thinking that since Israel has been blinded (Rom.11:25), that they are now t...

Answer Request: Is Christ's Church built on Peter or all living stones of truth? Did God reveal the truth to Peter that Jesus is The Rock? The Greek word translated "church" in the New Testament is ekklesia . A literal translation of ekklesia would be "a called-out assembly" . Thus, when God calls one out, to separate them, it is for a purpose. In other words, there is a specific function that this entity should fulfil. For example, God separated the nation of Israel for a purpose. Israel can be identified as an  ekklesia,  (or church in modern English). Deut.7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. Num.23:9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people [Israel] shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. The function that Israel was to fulfil was t...

Eph.4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Apostles Apostles along with prophets were foundational positions or offices (Eph 2:20). A qualification to be an apostle was to have seen Jesus in the flesh (Ac 1:22; which also included Paul, 1 Co 15:8-9; Ga 1:1; 2:6-9). Not only must a person with the apostolic office have seen the resurrected Lord Jesus personally, but he must have been personally commissioned by Jesus as an apostle (Acts 1:22; cf. Ga 1:1, 12). The office of the apostle disappeared when those personally commissioned by Jesus died. Jesus personally chose apostles with the office. These men had the authority to perform "signs and wonders" (2 Co 12:12). Some apostles had the apostolic gift but not the office. The idea of an apostle is a sent one. By application this would refer to missionaries...