There can be no doubt that salvation is freely available to every person of every country, race, and background. This fact is proven by God's vision to Peter. It is recorded that Peter went upon the housetop to pray, became very hungry, and fell into a trance (Acts 10:9,10). It was then that Peter saw, as it were, a great sheet knit at the four corners and falling to the earth. On the sheet were all kinds of four footed beasts, creeping things, and birds. Upon seeing the vision, Peter heard a voice saying, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat" (Acts 10:11-13). However, Peter was reluctant because he had never eaten anything common or unclean; yet the voice said, "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" (Acts 10:14-16). This was done three times, the vision left, and Peter wondered what the vision meant. In the meantime, men sent from the Gentile man, Cornelius came and took Peter with them back to Caesarea. That is where Cornelius was waiting with his kinsmen and near friends (Acts 10:17-24) being instructed of the Lord aforetime (Acts 10:5,6). It wasn't until Peter heard Cornelius' story that he declared, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him" (Acts 10:34,35). Thus, salvation is for all, that is, all who fear God and work righteousness humbly submitting to His requirements of salvation and faithfulness with an obedient heart (Psa. 119:172).
With this in mind, thoughts are turned to the doctrine upheld by many that one day all of the Jews in the world will be converted and return to the land of Palestine. This perversion is based upon one short statement of Paul: "And so all Israel shall be saved" (Rom. 11:26). They say, this passage teaches that the entire nation of Israel will be saved. How can it be? Will God miraculously intervene and suddenly become a respecter of persons to save this nation; thus, contradicting Peter's statement above? Will the God who never changes (Mal. 3:6) make a special provision for this nation above all others? What about the Jews who are rebellious? Will all the Jews who have ever lived be saved; thus, again making God a liar (Deu. 11:26-28; 28:45)? If it is true that the entire nation of Israel will one day be saved, then why did Jesus tell his disciples (including all today) to preach, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16)? Does this not deny one's freedom of choice to accept Jesus and reap everlasting life or deny Him and reap everlasting torment (Gal. 6:8)?
Obviously, Paul's inspired statement cannot mean what those who uphold Israel's special salvation propose. So what does it mean? Simply put, Paul was stating that the Jews could be saved in the same manner as everyone else—by meeting God's conditions of salvation. The word, "so" is an adverb that means, "in like manner." Consequently, it makes Paul's statement to read, "In like manner all Israel shall be saved." In what manner is this? First, Paul had already shown that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Second, Paul made it clear that the only means of salvation is the Gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16,17). The Jews who had rejected the Gospel needed to understand that they were living condemned because they were not in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). Third, Paul showed the Jews that salvation would only come to them "in like manner" as the Gentiles (i.e., faith, repentance, confession, and baptism). This was the inspired plan of salvation for all Israel and all Gentiles, and it is the same inspired plan for all humanity today. The Gospel really is "good news"! "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).
With this in mind, thoughts are turned to the doctrine upheld by many that one day all of the Jews in the world will be converted and return to the land of Palestine. This perversion is based upon one short statement of Paul: "And so all Israel shall be saved" (Rom. 11:26). They say, this passage teaches that the entire nation of Israel will be saved. How can it be? Will God miraculously intervene and suddenly become a respecter of persons to save this nation; thus, contradicting Peter's statement above? Will the God who never changes (Mal. 3:6) make a special provision for this nation above all others? What about the Jews who are rebellious? Will all the Jews who have ever lived be saved; thus, again making God a liar (Deu. 11:26-28; 28:45)? If it is true that the entire nation of Israel will one day be saved, then why did Jesus tell his disciples (including all today) to preach, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16)? Does this not deny one's freedom of choice to accept Jesus and reap everlasting life or deny Him and reap everlasting torment (Gal. 6:8)?
Obviously, Paul's inspired statement cannot mean what those who uphold Israel's special salvation propose. So what does it mean? Simply put, Paul was stating that the Jews could be saved in the same manner as everyone else—by meeting God's conditions of salvation. The word, "so" is an adverb that means, "in like manner." Consequently, it makes Paul's statement to read, "In like manner all Israel shall be saved." In what manner is this? First, Paul had already shown that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Second, Paul made it clear that the only means of salvation is the Gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16,17). The Jews who had rejected the Gospel needed to understand that they were living condemned because they were not in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1). Third, Paul showed the Jews that salvation would only come to them "in like manner" as the Gentiles (i.e., faith, repentance, confession, and baptism). This was the inspired plan of salvation for all Israel and all Gentiles, and it is the same inspired plan for all humanity today. The Gospel really is "good news"! "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28).