A Resolution Concerning Israel

^{Note: The following resolution was passed at the 2008 GARBC Conference, held June 24-27, 2008, in Ankeny, Iowa.}
As a result of God’s sovereign choice, the people of Israel are beloved for the sake of the patriarchs (Romans 11:28). God entrusted them as a people with His oracles (3:2). He adopted them as sons; He revealed to them His glory; He brought them into a covenantal relationship with Himself; and He blessed them with the Torah, the temple service, and the promises (9:4). Also, the people of Israel are the ones through whom the Messiah, Who is over all, entered into this world according to the flesh (9:5).

These gifts of God to Israel and His sovereign election of this people are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Thus, God most certainly has not cast them away (11:1), nor has He renounced His promise that the Land belongs to the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob forever (Genesis 13:15; Exodus 6:8).

In light of these Biblical truths, we reaffirm our steadfast adherence to our Articles of Faith that express our shared belief “in the sovereign selection of Israel as God’s eternal covenant people” (Article XVIII).

Recently, on May 8, 2008, the Jewish people of the modern State of Israel celebrated the 60th anniversary of their independence as a nation. In response to these celebrations, we, the messengers of the churches in fellowship with the General Association of Regular Baptist Churches, meeting for our 76th Annual Conference on the campus of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary in Ankeny, Iowa, during the days of June 24–27, 2008, congratulate the people of Israel for their sixty years of industry and tenacity.

In six short decades, Israel has become a leader in various sectors of manufacturing, banking, technology, and arid agriculture. All the while, Israel has defended herself against aggressions close at home and from censures coming from afar. These constant difficulties in no way diminish Israel’s accomplishments but instead heighten the magnitude of her achievements. Israel has done so much, with so little, against so many, in so short a time. Indeed, this is a cause for celebration.

We also commend Israel’s desire to be a free, sovereign, and prosperous country that guarantees religious freedom for all of its citizens and provides a secure homeland for all those who wish to emigrate from the Jewish Diaspora. We concur with our American president, George W. Bush, who declared before the Israeli Knesset on May 15, 2008, that “we consider it a source of shame that the United Nations routinely passes more human rights resolutions against the freest democracy in the Middle East [i.e., Israel] than [against] any other nation in the world.”

Many of us have traveled extensively throughout the country of Israel, and we wish to express our gratitude for the ways in which the Israeli government has preserved and protected the holy sites and the archaeological remains. We appreciate the ease of travel, the modern amenities, the sense of security, and the ease of accessibility that we have found on our pilgrimages to these places of Biblical and historical interest.

Furthermore, we resolve to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6). We will pray in response to the current political unrest, terrorist attacks, and border disputes. Most importantly, we will pray for the spiritual needs of both the Jewish and the Palestinian peoples of Israel, “for neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation” (Romans 10:1; Galatians 6:15, 16).

By faith, we look forward to the prophetic future when the Jewish people “will be regathered in the Holy Land and, after the completion of the Church, will be saved as a nation at the second advent of Christ,” when He shall return to this earth as the deliverer out of Zion “in power and great glory to sit upon the throne of David and to establish the millennial kingdom” (Articles XVIII and XIX; Isaiah 9:6, 7; 59:20; Matthew 24:30; Luke 1:32, 33; Romans 11:26). No one will bring hurt or destruction anymore upon God’s holy mountain, because “the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). How we eagerly anticipate this future age of messianic bliss!

Meanwhile, we will worship our great, trustworthy God, Who will fulfill these prophecies. He will do so not because the church, Israel, or the nations deserve such blessings, but because He has determined to sanctify Himself among the nations and before Israel by demonstrating His faithful love. We will testify to the love of Christ for all peoples, and together with Saul of Tarsus we will exclaim, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! … For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:33, 36).

Approved by the Messengers in the annual business session. Signed by the National Representative on behalf of the Council of Eighteen.

To: His Excellency Sallai Meridor, Ambassador of Israel
3514 International Dr. NW
Washington DC 20008