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Israel and the Church

theological_term theological_term standard

The theological question of how ethnic Israel and the New Testament church relate in God’s redemptive plan, especially in the covenants and in Romans 9–11 and Ephesians 2–3.

At a Glance

The topic asks how the promises made to Israel, the coming of Christ, and the inclusion of Gentiles in the church fit together in God’s saving plan.

Key Points

Description

“Israel and the Church” is a theological term for the debated question of how God’s covenant people in the Old Testament relate to the church formed through Christ under the new covenant. Scripture clearly teaches that God chose Israel, that the church includes Jews and Gentiles united in Christ, and that God remains faithful to His word. Within orthodox evangelical interpretation, however, there is ongoing disagreement about the degree of continuity and discontinuity between Israel and the church, especially in relation to the covenants, the promises to Abraham and David, and passages such as Romans 9–11, Galatians 3, Ephesians 2–3, and Acts 15. Some stress one people of God across redemptive history; others maintain a clearer distinction between Israel and the church, particularly in eschatology. The safest bounded conclusion is that the term names an important area of biblical-theological discussion rather than a single settled doctrine.

Biblical Context

The Old Testament presents Israel as God’s chosen covenant nation, while the New Testament presents Christ as the fulfillment of God’s promises and the church as a body made up of believing Jews and Gentiles. This creates a major interpretive question about how the covenants and promises fit together.

Historical Context

The relationship between Israel and the church has been debated throughout church history and remains a major dividing line between covenant theology, dispensational theology, and mediating evangelical approaches. The question affects how interpreters read prophecy, covenant promises, and the identity of God’s people.

Jewish and Ancient Context

In the Jewish Scriptures and Second Temple period, Israel’s identity was tied to covenant, land, promise, temple, and hope for restoration. The New Testament affirms those Scriptures while declaring that Gentiles are brought near through Christ without becoming second-class participants in God’s people.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

The Bible uses “Israel” for the covenant people descended from Jacob, and ekklēsia (“church” or “assembly”) for the gathered people of God in Christ. The terms overlap in salvation history but are not identical in every context.

Theological Significance

This term is central to covenant theology, dispensationalism, the doctrine of the people of God, mission to Jews and Gentiles, and eschatology. It also bears on how believers understand promise, fulfillment, and God’s faithfulness.

Philosophical Explanation

At the level of concept, the issue concerns identity across time: when does a promise remain continuous, when is it fulfilled in a new mode, and when does God preserve a real distinction while still uniting people in one saving purpose?

Interpretive Cautions

Do not flatten Israel into the church or the church into ethnic Israel. Do not assume every Old Testament promise is fulfilled in the same way. Keep salvation in Christ central, and distinguish redemptive unity from ethnic and national identity.

Major Views

Major evangelical readings include: (1) a strong continuity view that emphasizes one people of God across the covenants; (2) a dispensational or distinction view that preserves a future role for ethnic/national Israel distinct from the church; and (3) mediating views that affirm one plan of salvation while still allowing a continuing significance for Israel in God’s purposes.

Doctrinal Boundaries

All orthodox evangelical views here should affirm that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, that God is faithful to His promises, that Jews and Gentiles are saved on the same basis, and that the church does not replace Scripture’s authority. The entry should not force one disputed system as the only biblical position.

Practical Significance

This topic encourages humility in doctrinal disagreement, prayer for the salvation of Jewish people, gratitude for Gentiles being included in Christ, and a sober hope that God will complete His redemptive purposes exactly as He has promised.

Related Entries

See Also

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