Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the Church of Israel being "relatively holy" is rooted in the understanding of Israel as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes. This holiness is not inherent but is derived from their covenant relationship with God, who is Himself holy. The holiness of Israel is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament, where God calls His people to be distinct from the surrounding nations.Covenant and Holiness The foundation of Israel's holiness is established in the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and later reaffirmed with Moses at Mount Sinai. In Genesis 17:7 , God declares, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." This covenant relationship set Israel apart as a nation dedicated to God. The Law and Holiness The giving of the Law at Sinai further defined Israel's holiness. The Law provided a framework for living in a manner that reflected God's character. Leviticus 19:2 states, "Speak to the entire congregation of the Israelites and tell them: ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’" The Law included moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations that distinguished Israel from other nations and underscored their unique relationship with God. Priesthood and Holiness The priesthood played a crucial role in maintaining the holiness of Israel. The priests, particularly the high priest, were mediators between God and the people. They performed sacrifices and rituals that atoned for sin and maintained the sanctity of the community. Exodus 28:36 instructs, "You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD." This inscription on the high priest's turban symbolized the holiness required of those who served in God's presence. The Tabernacle and Temple The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, were central to Israel's worship and a tangible representation of God's dwelling among His people. These sacred spaces were meticulously designed and consecrated to reflect God's holiness. In Exodus 25:8 , God commands, "And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them." The presence of God in the Tabernacle and Temple was a constant reminder of Israel's call to holiness. Prophets and Holiness The prophets of Israel were instrumental in calling the nation back to holiness when they strayed. They reminded the people of their covenant obligations and the consequences of disobedience. Isaiah 1:18 offers a message of hope and restoration: "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." The prophets emphasized repentance and a return to the standards of holiness set by God. Holiness in the New Testament In the New Testament, the concept of holiness is expanded to include the Church, the body of believers in Christ. The Apostle Peter echoes the call to holiness in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" The Church is seen as the continuation of God's holy people, called to live in a manner that reflects His character and purposes. The Church of Israel's relative holiness serves as a precursor to the holiness expected of the Church today. Through faith in Christ, believers are grafted into the spiritual lineage of Israel, called to live lives set apart for God's glory. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 31:13Speak you also to the children of Israel, saying, Truly my sabbaths you shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD that does sanctify you. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 16:3 Library The Seventh (And Last) vision "On Earth" On the Church and Its Head Two Fruitful Years The Third vision "In Heaven" Seances Historiques De Geneve --The National Church. Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ... Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ... Introduction Ancestry, Birth, Education, Environment: 1513(?)-1546 Gracious Ability. Resources Is the Church of Christ a good biblical church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between the visible and invisible church? | GotQuestions.org What items should be included in a church constitution? | GotQuestions.org Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Appoints Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Directs Administration Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Reproves Rulers Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Church and State: Manasseh, in Subverting, and Afterward Restoring, the True Religion Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Ahaz, in Transforming the Altars Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Hezekiah, in Reorganizing Temple Service Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jehoash, in Supervising the Repairs of the Temple Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jeroboam, in Subverting the Jewish Religion Church is Clothed in Righteousness Church of Israel in Covenant With God Church of Israel was Relatively Holy Church of Israel: A Type of the Church of Christ Church of Israel: Admission Into, by Circumcision Church of Israel: All Israelites Members of Church of Israel: Attachment of the Jews To Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of Israel Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of the Lord Church of Israel: Established by God Church of Israel: Had: A Spiritual Church Within It Church of Israel: Had: An Appointed Place of Worship Church of Israel: Had: An Ordained Ministry Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Feasts Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Ordinances Church of Israel: Had: The Divine Presence Manifested in It Church of Israel: Members of Excommunicated for Heavy Offenses Church of Israel: Members of Required to Attend Its Worship Church of Israel: Members of Required to Keeps Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Required to Know Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Separated From, While Unclean Church of Israel: Persons Excluded From Church of Israel: Privileges of Church of Israel: Proselytes Admitted Into Church of Israel: Supported by the People Church of Israel: The Depository of Holy Writ Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Praise Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Prayer Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Preaching Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Reading God's Word Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Sacrifice Church: Assembly of the Saints Church: Assembly of the Upright Church: Baptized (Immersed) Into by One Spirit Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord Church: Branch of God's Planting Church: Called the Congregation in the O. 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And Others) Church: Christian, Divinely Established Church: Church of the Firstborn Church: Church of the Living God Church: City of the Living God Church: Congregation of Saints Church: Congregation of the Lord's Poor Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished Church: Divisions In, to be Shunned Church: Family in Heaven and Earth Church: General Assembly of the Firstborn (People) Church: God Provides Ministers For Church: God's Husbandry (Farm) Church: Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Church: Harmonious Fellowship of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Antioch Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Asia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Babylon Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Caesarea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cenchrea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cilicia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Corinth Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Ephesus Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galatia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galilee Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Jerusalem Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Joppa Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Judaea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Laodicea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Pergamos Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Philadelphia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Samaria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Sardis Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Smyrna Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Syria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thessalonica Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thyatira Church: Lot of God's Inheritance Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed Church: Mountain of the Lord's House Church: Pillar and Ground of the Truth Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Church: Salt and Light of the World Church: Sought Out, a City not Forsaken Church: Strength and Glory of God Church: Temple of the Living God Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Church: Worship of, to be Attended The Church is Edified by the Word The Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord The Church: Christ, the Foundation-Stone of The Church: Christ, the Head of The Church: Clothed in Righteousness The Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished The Church: Displays the Wisdom of God The Church: Extent of, Predicted The Church: Glory to be Ascribed to God By The Church: God Provides Ministers For The Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed The Church: Not to be Despised The Church: Purchased by the Blood of Christ The Church: Saints Baptised Into, by One Spirit The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ The Church: Shows Forth the Praises of God The Church: The Body of Christ The Church: The Object of the Grace of God The Church: The Wicked Persecute Related Terms |
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