What is the best way to address a Reformed Pastor's disagreement with Dispensationalism in light of the passage in Ephesians 3:5-6 which, upon plain reading, does seem to suggest that the nation of Israel and the Gentles are to become one body, the Church. This Reformed Pastor is also convinced that the church is the final phase in history, i.e., he appears to be clearly Amillenialist.
ISRAEL AND GENTILES IN ONE BODY - Ephesians 3:5-6
The Reformed pastor likely follows thye teachingss of Covenant Theology
which accepts basically only 2 covenants:
1. Of works between God and Adam, promising life if obedient, which Adam
broke by disobedience ;
2. Of grace, between God and mankind, promising life to the elect through
Christ's vicarious sacrifice.
Some include a 3rd: Of redemption - between the Father and the Son before
the world began.
Thus, under grace, Covenant theologians see the church, composed of believers from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, but with, those distinctives removed, as being the eternal state of redeemed mankind. This view ignores or "spiritualizes" many clearly stated prophecies in God's Word regarding Israel's future.
Scripture does not refer to the "Covenant of Works" nor the "Covenant of Grace," but it does refer to "dispensations," such as in Eph. 1:10 and 3:9. The word "dispensation," or "administration," is from the Greek, OIKONOMIA, which means the management of a household. It refers to the manner in which God administers His purpose in the world at any given time. During this age, His administration is through the church. After Abraham and until Christ died, it was through Israel. To be saved, a Gentile would have to become a proselyte, submitting to the law and participating in the sacrificial system, which was a foreshadowing of Christ's once for all sacrifice. His death fulfilled the O. T. sacrifices, and since then salvation is solely by personal faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. Those individuals who believe become part of the church, the body of Christ, and their earthly distinctions disappear here, Eph. 2:14-15; Col. 3:10-11.
God makes a distinction between the nation Israel and the Gentile nations, even in their unbelief, I Cor. 10:32. God has always had a believing remnant of Israel, and today this is found in the church as the "remnant accordng to the election of grace," Rom. 11:4-5. They are the "Israel of God,": Gal. 6:15-16, the natural seed of Abraham who are spiritual, put into the Body of Christ, and are now "partakers of a heavenly calling," Heb. 3:1. The church is never called "the new Israel," because a true Israelite (Jew) is described in Rom. 2:20-29, a natural descendant of Abraham who believes in Christ as Messiah and Savior. Most ot the church is composed of Gentile believers. That the Gentiles are not fellow partakers of the Jewish Messianic promises is seen in Eph. 3: 6, where they are "fellow partakers of the promise (of salvation) in Christ Jesus through the gospel." "The name 'Jesus' refers the name 'Christ" to the 'Anointed' of God who became the Saviour at the cross." (Ephesians and Colossians in the Greeek New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest).
God's covenant with Abraham is crucial in understanding His dealing with Israel as a nation, Gen. 12-17. It is an everlasting covenant. He promised to make of Abraham a great nation (referring to Israel) as well as other nations. Israel was chosen to be "God's people" and His sovereign purpose for that nation will be accomplished in spite of its many instances of unfaithfulness. All prophecies regarding Israel have been or will be fulfilled, each in its time. These extend into the time of the new heaven and new earth, Is. 65:17, 22. Israel is promised:
A nation forever, Gen. 31:36; A land forever, Gen. 13:15, 17:7-8; A throne forever, 2 Sam. 7:16, Psalm 89:36; A King forever, Jer. 33:17-21; A kingdom forever, Dan. 7:14.
Thus, to say that the church is God's final phase in history is to ignore the above Scriptures and many others related to them.
Abraham was promised both an earthly seed (descendants), numerous as the dust of the earth, Gen. 13:16, and a heavenly seed, numerous as the stars, Gen. 15:5. Abraham's agreement with God's revelations to Him was simply by believing God, which resulted in his faith being counted to him for righteousness. This is the basis of salvation for anyone in any age (dispensation), and is the reason why Abraham is called "the father of us all," Rom. 4:16 . Thus the "heavenly seed" includes the church, the body of Christ, which has a "heavenly calling," Heb. 3:1, Gal. 3:6-9, and the following:
Presently spiritually seated in heavenly p'laces in Christ Jesus, Eph. 2:6; In the future, at the Rapture, bodily forever with the Lord, 1 Thess. 4:17; When Christ returns to earth to set up His kingdom, "Then shall ye also appear with him in glory, Col.3:4, Rev. 20:6. In the Kingdom age, (1000 years) reigning with Him, 2 Tim. 2:12 Throughout eternity, 1 Cor. 15:24-25
We trust these comments will be helpful in dealing with the pastor you mentioned.