The Relationship of Jewish and Gentile Believers to the Law Between A.D. 30 and 70 in the Scripture

113 The theology of Jarnes' quotation Jarnes' quotation has often been seen as a test passage for various theological systems. 161 The goal of this section is to understand the theology of James' use of Amos and its contribution to the question of Gentile circumcision. The amillennial answer . A common understanding of the passage by the amillennialist is that "The Church has inherited the role of old Israel, and the promises made to Israel are now being fulfilled in the life and experience of the Church." 162 It is particularly difficult to see how the Church has replaced Israel because of the important relationship between Israel and Gentiles in this passage. Understanding the mention of "Gentiles " in verse 17 as a reference to the church is especially suspect simply because the vast majority of the church at the time of the council was Jewish. Even if that were true , James is hardly teaching that the church is a replacement of Israel because Israel's role is pivotal in the salvation of the Gentiles . Israel is restored ( 15: 16) "in order that" the Gentiles may seek the Lord ( 15: 17). If the fallen tent of David is understood as the church which then leads to the salvation of Gentiles then James ' quotation has no relationship to the Old Testament meaning of the Davidic Covenant. In short, the amillennial view does not correspond to the meaning of either James or the prophets he quotes . In addition to the textual clues that Israel wa not replaced by Gentile , th hi tory of the occa ion would also argue again t it. Though it i certainly true that n t all f (Amo 7-111. 161 f . Walter . Kai er, ' The Davidic Promi e and th In lu ion of th G ntil : - 15 and Act 15 :13-18): A e t Pa age for Theologi al 162 e1l, A t. , 173 . Mar hall p ulat , ' Pr babl th r buildin f th t b rn 1 i to e und t d r f eren t th r i in up th hur h th n pl f di r l tp l 1 h epla d th temple . . . . h bur h i th n th m n b hi h th ma m t kn w the L d ," M r h 11 , A t ,