Sentry Magazine<\/em>, June 2002\nIn 1950, a decree went out from the modem state of Israel, granting automatic citizenship to “Jews” in all the world. The purpose was to get as many of the scattered Israelites (Diaspora) back on Holy Ground. Many Jews from Europe, Africa, and the Americas flocked to the land of their fathers.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/citizenship-300x197.jpg\")
But not all comers were granted citizenship. The denial to some was political, religious, and cultural. What a great disappointment, especially to those who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during WWII. It was not only a slap on the face but a wound deeper than the numbers tattooed on their arms. How could they be identified as Jewish, sentenced to death, and then just 5 years later, be denied that same identity by their own? It is so hard to understand. This only goes to show, it does not justify, the reason why the Nazis and others have a deep-seated\u00a0hatred towards Judaism.<\/p>\n
Citizenship is granted on the grounds of identity. In Israel, politicians have presented their own definition of a “Jew”. But it is the religious arm of the political parties who insist\u00a0on the terms for citizen-ship. Yet not\u00a0all disqualifications are based on religious belief.<\/p>\n
In 1958, automatic citizenship was denied to a Jew who was not only the son of Jewish parents but was a long time resident of Israel. The reason; his faith, he had converted to Christ. Had he stated that he was an atheist, his citizenship would have gone through with flying colors.\u00a0Though denied automatic citizenship, it was later granted by virtue of his cultural background.<\/p>\n
In 1968, another case involved an Israeli soldier’s children who were denied citizenship based on violations of culture. Though born in Israel to a Jewish father, because the mother was not Jewish, they were denied citizenship. The father’s sin was and is a direct violation of a custom handed down through the centuries, not the Law of Moses.<\/p>\n
As we see in these examples, we can not help but remember the words of our Lord “you must be born again<\/em>” (John 3:3-5). We also appreciate the words of Paul “you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household<\/em>” (Ephesians 2:19) and “our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ<\/em>” (Philippians 3:20).<\/p>\nIt is a reality that in certain areas of our world, people are excluded from memberships based on color, economic, gender, or cultural differences.<\/p>\n
But in the kingdom of God, the rules are already set by the Lord. It is granted by obedience to the gospel, it can not be bought (Acts 22:28). It is sustained by the conduct or continued obedience to the God of Heaven (Philippians 1:27). In this common-wealth (Ephesians 2:12), we are all equal (Galatians 3:26-28). There are no inferior or second class citizens. I thank God for my brethren who treat me as their brother and fellow first-class citizen.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by Raymond Gonzalez Sr. Sentry Magazine, June 2002 In 1950, a decree went out from the modem state of Israel, granting automatic citizenship to “Jews” in all the world. The purpose was to get as many of the scattered Israelites (Diaspora) back on Holy Ground. Many Jews from Europe, Africa, and the Americas flocked to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27],"tags":[345],"class_list":["post-31817","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-article","tag-kingdom"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":47240,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/why-did-paul-appeal-to-his-roman-citizenship\/","url_meta":{"origin":31817,"position":0},"title":"Why Did Paul Appeal to His Roman Citizenship?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"May 3, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"by Doy Moyer Acts 16 tells us the story of Paul and Silas being arrested and imprisoned in Philippi. They sang praises while bound, others listened, and then an earthquake shaking the foundations set them free. Instead of running, Paul told the jailer, who was about to commit suicide, not\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Article"","block_context":{"text":"Article","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/article\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":53678,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/the-blessings-and-privileges-of-kingdom-citizenship\/","url_meta":{"origin":31817,"position":1},"title":"The Blessings and Privileges of Kingdom Citizenship","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"July 15, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"by Raymond Warfel","rel":"","context":"In "Audio"","block_context":{"text":"Audio","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/audio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3788,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/is-a-marriage-valid-if-it-was-only-done-to-gain-citizenship\/","url_meta":{"origin":31817,"position":2},"title":"Is a marriage valid if it was only done to gain citizenship?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"March 29, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: If a man was married for 3 years only because he wanted to come to the USA and then divorced can he remarry? The marriage in his eyes was only for US citizenship. Answer: What is missing is a respect for the marriage covenant (Malachi 2:13-16). A covenant is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":28262,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/are-jews-a-race-or-a-religion\/","url_meta":{"origin":31817,"position":3},"title":"Are Jews a race or a religion?","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"August 1, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Question: Are Jews a race or a religion? Answer: In the Bible, the concept of \"race\" does not exist. The Bible talks about nationalities, but not \"race.\" See\u00a0How did the different races come about?\u00a0for more details. The word \"Jew\" is a derivation of \"Judah.\" When the kingdom of Israel divided,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Answer"","block_context":{"text":"Answer","link":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/category\/answer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":32612,"url":"https:\/\/www.lavistachurchofchrist.org\/cms\/politics-and-religion\/","url_meta":{"origin":31817,"position":4},"title":"Politics and Religion","author":"Jeffrey Hamilton","date":"February 25, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"by Rodger Trimm Sentry Magazine, September 2001 \"Talk about anything but politics and religion\" has proven to be wise instructions for many social gatherings. With some trepidation, I will ignore that advice for this article. 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This proxy marriage was done so she could gain citizenship. She was a illegal citizen at the time. 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