The concept of the "Church of Israel" refers to the spiritual assembly of God's chosen people within the nation of Israel, as depicted in the Old Testament. This assembly is not merely a physical or ethnic gathering but a spiritual congregation of those who are faithful to God's covenant. The idea of a spiritual church within Israel is rooted in the understanding that not all who are descended from Israel are part of the true Israel, as emphasized by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament.

Biblical Foundation

The notion of a spiritual church within Israel is supported by various passages in the Old Testament, where God distinguishes between the faithful remnant and the broader nation. In 1 Kings 19:18, God tells Elijah, "Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him." This remnant represents the true spiritual church within Israel, those who remain faithful to God amidst widespread apostasy.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks of a remnant in Isaiah 10:20-22: "On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on him who struck them, but will truly rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob, to the Mighty God. Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return." This passage highlights the distinction between the physical descendants of Israel and the spiritual church that remains faithful to God.

New Testament Perspective

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept in the New Testament, particularly in Romans 9:6-8: "It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, 'Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.' So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring." Paul emphasizes that true membership in the spiritual church of Israel is not based on physical descent but on faith in God's promises.

In Romans 11:5, Paul refers to the remnant chosen by grace: "So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace." This remnant, according to Paul, is the spiritual church within Israel, those who have embraced the grace of God through faith.

Theological Implications

The concept of a spiritual church within Israel underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God over mere ethnic or national identity. It highlights the continuity of God's covenantal promises and the inclusion of Gentiles into the spiritual Israel through faith in Jesus Christ. This understanding aligns with the broader biblical narrative of God's redemptive plan, which transcends ethnic boundaries and is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The Church of Israel, as a spiritual entity, serves as a precursor to the New Testament Church, which includes both Jews and Gentiles who are united by faith in Christ. This spiritual church is characterized by a commitment to God's covenant, a reliance on His promises, and a life of holiness and obedience.Romans 9:6-8
Not as though the word of God has taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 11:2-7
God has not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know you not what the scripture said of Elias? how he makes intercession to God against Israel saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

God's Purpose for his Church
... the Lord designs to accomplish through His church, that His ... In the early days of
Israel the nations of the world, through corrupt practices, had lost the ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 1 gods purpose for.htm

Spiritual Revival, the Want of the Church
... that you may one day return like Israel, not with ... In THE CHURCH ITSELF, taken as
a body, this prayer ... God had clothed Whitefield with power: he was preaching ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 44 1898/spiritual revival the want of.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... strength, that each of the true members of the church are of ... As the Canaanites feared
the chosen race of Israel because the rumor of them had gone forth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ...
... begin better to perceive how the spiritual jurisdiction of ... formerly happened, to
the great injury of the Church. ... which almost the whole of Israel had revolted. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 12 of the discipline.htm

The Church Triumphant
... The same power that the apostles had is for them. ... The church is God's agency for
the proclamation of truth ... if she will honor the Lord God of Israel, there is no ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 58 the church triumphant.htm

The Holy Spirit and the one Church
... If they had lived then, what fine Bonners they would have made! ... of the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit rest upon the one church of Israel's one Jehovah ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the holy spirit and the.htm

The Church.
... this teach men not to think that the church is cursed ... saith he, "in the furnace of
affliction." When Israel came out ... have them to a land that he had espied for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxi the church.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... Its officers had, indeed, trumpets and cornets, with which they ... use of instrumental
music was unknown in the Church. ... the service of the God of Israel, His own ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Of the Power of the Church in Articles of Faith. The Unbridled ...
... thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear ... rule which always existed
in the Church from the ... the variety of times, they have had different methods ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 of the power.htm

Marvellous Increase of the Church
... The increase we have had shall yet be exceeded, if God ... the sheep-folds to lead his
people Israel will not ... us away, nor will he leave his church, nor forsake ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/marvellous increase of the church.htm

Questions about the Church (All) | GotQuestions.org

What was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church? | GotQuestions.org

Is there supposed to be only one church? | GotQuestions.org

Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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