What does it mean to be grafted in?

Grafted In  - AHARAN

There is a lot of misinformation about the Bible that leads us to have a lack of understanding. One of the core beliefs in Christianity is that everyone can be grafted into the promises of GOD . The concept of being “grafted in “ is taken from our beloved brother Paul’s writings . Even though another one of our beloved brothers,Peter, says Paul’s letters are hard to be understood and that the unlearned wrestle with them to their own destruction ( 2 Peter 3: 15-17 ). Despite this, Paul letters are  some of the most referenced and reverenced writings in the Bible .

Most theologians get the concept of being grafted in from the book of Romans chapter 11. The chapter starts off with Paul asking and answering a question, (Romans 11:1 ) I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. This is a clear indication that Paul is talking about Gods people - the Israelites!

The misunderstanding comes in Verses 11-13 where the term Gentiles comes in . This particular word Gentiles or in the Greek Ethnos means nations or groups.

If we understand the history of the Israelites , we know that they went into multiple captivities and began to be called by different gentile nations ( 1 Corinthians 12:2 demonstrates this) .

Back in Roman’s 11, verse 17, Paul continues to use the analogy of branches being broken off of an olive tree and becoming wild olive trees . The question I have is do we understand where is analogy comes from ?

In the book of Jeramiah chapter 11 he references the olive tree .

Jeremiah 11:16 The LORD called thy name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he hath kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken. Jeremiah 11:17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.

This is Israel becoming a wild olive tree by committing idolatry and worshipping other gods.

In Roman’s 11:20 Paul talks about the branches being broken because of unbelief. In verse 23 Paul states that those branches can be grafted in again when they believe. ( Romans 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.) Now I don’t know how you can be grafted in again if you were not ever part of the tree to begin with.

Romans 9:3-4 may help us make sense of this issue, where Paul tells us who the promises and adoption is for ! ( Romans 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Romans 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; )

They are for the Israelites!

Through our studies we begin to see that the Bible uses many metaphors and symbols to describe Israel’s relationship with the Most High. The olive tree is one of the more prominent examples and being grafted in represents the nation being reconnected to their God, through the covenants and promises.