Did the 'Church' Replace Israel?
Too many today mistakenly view the Old Testament as being mostly irrelevant. Apparently, it has been superseded by the New Testament. As for Israel, they too have been set aside and replaced by the church. Of course, they only transfer the blessings Yahweh promised Israel to themselves, but none of the curses! However, the Old and New Testaments are not separate ‘books’, but rather make up one whole and continuous Word of God. Therefore, they are both vitally important and relevant to us today.
The Old Testament records the story of His people living under the old covenant, from their beginnings to their eventual downfall and exile. The New Testament continues their story, no longer rejected and without hope, but now redeemed and living under the New Covenant (or Testament) all as promised in the Old Testament (Jer 31:32-33) and fulfilled in the New Testament (Heb 8:7-13).
Not only does the Old Testament contain the rise and fall of His people; the moral code (commandments); the national laws (statutes and judgements) and His promises and prophesies foretelling their future redemption, but ultimately forms the very foundation of the New Testament. For example, there are “…343 Old Testament quotations in the New Testament, as well as no fewer than 2,309 allusions and verbal parallels.” (Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology) Therefore they are both vital to our understanding of His plans and purposes and without a deep understanding of both, neither can be understood. As for all the promises and prophesies contained in both the Old and New Testaments, one must also have a firm grasp of history since prophecy is history prewritten, while history is prophecy fulfilled!
Of course, the fact the New Testament continues the story of Israel rather than replacing them should be no surprise, since Yahshua clearly stated “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 15:24) and commanded His own disciples to “Go not into the way of the gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel…” (Matt 10:5-7). It seems reasonable to expect His disciples to have obeyed Him and this is what they surely did. In fact, a careful analysis (see our study on ‘Israel in the New Testament’) will show all the gospels and letters written by the apostles and disciples, even Paul were addressed to the Israelites who at that time were scattered among the nations.
However, setting aside the many facts which prove this, some may still argue Paul was really addressing both 1 and 2 Corinthains to the ‘church’ like the majority of other epistles, for he addresses his letter “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth…” Of course, this is in line with current mainstream teaching that the ‘church’ was some new creation after the death and resurrection of Christ Yahshua and made up of all new believers most of whom are said to have been ‘gentiles’ which are then incorrectly identified as ‘non-Israelites’ (see our study on ‘Who are the Gentiles’ for further understanding). This has sadly led many to incorrectly view the ‘church’ as replacing ‘Israel’ since they must be two distinct groups, completely separated from one another. This is certainly the doctrine of many churches, but is it what the scriptures teach?
Before beginning, it’s important to note the word ‘church’ did not exist in the bible until late in the sixteenth century. Instead, early translators such as William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale and Whittingham always translated the Greek word ‘ecclesia’ as being a ‘congregation’ or ‘assembly’. Of course, some might ask what the difference is. Actually, there is a big difference. While a ‘church’ generally means “a place or building for worship”, the word ‘ecclesia’ simply refers to the group, community or congregation of people. In fact, this could even refer to a secular or civil group of people meeting together as it was in Acts 19 when it was used to describe a town meeting in Ephesus.
Therefore, the proper meaning of ‘ecclesia’ is “a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… or Christian community of members… assembly…” (Strong’s Concordance). Accordingly, when the ‘ecclesia’ or ‘church’ is mentioned in the bible it is never referring to a building or religious institution, but to the people who have been ‘called out’.
In fact, the bible refers to the ‘church’ (more specially the “members”) as being the “body of Christ” (Eph 5:23-32) and makes it clear this could never mean the modern idea of ‘church’ when it states that God "dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24 and Heb 9:24).
So ‘ecclesia’ means a “congregation” or “assembly” of people who have been ‘called out’, and it is obvious Christ is the one that's calling us out. But is this the first time we were ever called out? The apostle Paul wrote:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17). What is most striking about this passage is its direct quotation from Isaiah 52:11 which Yahweh had specifically addressed to Israel:
“Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city…Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. …For thus saith the Lord Yahweh, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. Now therefore, what have I here, saith Yahweh, that my people is taken away for nought? …Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when Yahweh shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for Yahweh hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. Yahweh hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of Yahweh. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for Yahweh will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward. (Is 52:1-12)
This message is essentially the same as Peter’s when he also quoted an Old Testament passage addressed to Israel and further proves that it is they who have been ‘called out’ and are therefore His ‘ecclessia’ or congregation:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Pe 2:9-10)
Does the Bible refer to Israel as being His ‘congregation’ anywhere else in scripture? The answer is yes, since the ‘church’ was not a new creation after the resurrection, but had existed long before “in the wilderness” having been established at Mt Sinai as Stephen stated in his famous testimony recorded in Acts chapter 6 and 7.
“This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt…” (Acts 7:37-39)
Of course, at that time it was not called the ‘church’, but the “congregation of Israel” and the “Tabernacle of the congregation”. Different names, but the same meaning as ‘church’ as identified above since ‘congregation’ also means “…a stated assemblage (specifically a concourse, or generally a family or crowd): - assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people…” (Strong’s Concordance)
“And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai…after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness…And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before Yahweh: for he hath heard your murmurings. And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of Yahweh appeared in the cloud.” (Ex 16:1-2 and 9-10)
Interestingly, “a concourse” can also mean a hall which relates it both in a modern sense, but also in a historical sense with the Tabernacle which of course was the “tent of meeting” for:
“…the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy” (Ex 30:36)
“And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Moses did as Yahweh commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which Yahweh commanded to be done.” (Lev 8:3-5)
Not only was the Old Testament congregation or ‘church’, the place where the nation and people were to gather to ‘meet’ with Yahweh, but like the New Testament ‘church’ it was also the place where the priests were to minister before Him; a place of confession, sorrow and repentance and a place of praise:
“And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Yahweh appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before Yahweh, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” (Lev 9:22-24)
“Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.” (Ezr 10:1)
“I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.” (Ps 22:22)
“And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Yahweh: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.” (Ps 89:5)
“Praise ye Yahweh. Sing unto Yahweh a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.” (Ps 149:1)
It is interesting that the Psalmist refers to the ‘congregation of Israel’ as being the “congregation of saints” again reminding us the those called the ‘saints’ in the New Testament were none other than the Israelites as we concluded earlier.
The prophet Joel also clearly identifies the Old Testament congregation as being a ‘church’:
“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Yahweh, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will Yahweh be jealous for his land, and pity his people.” (Joel 2:15-18)
As stated at the beginning, the Old and New Testaments are not separate ‘books’, but rather make up one whole and continuous Word of God. Therefore, they are both vitally important and relevant to us today. The Old Testament records the story of His people or “congregation” living under the old covenant, from their beginnings to their eventual downfall and exile. The New Testament continues their story, no longer rejected and without hope, but now redeemed and living under the New Covenant (or Testament) as His “chosen people”, “congregation” and “church”. All as promised in the Old Testament (Jer 31:32-33) and fulfilled in the New Testament (Heb 8:7-13).
Keywords: Anglo, Saxon, Celts, Celtic, Israel, Israelites, Britain, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, truth, bible, God, Yahweh, Yahshua, Jesus, truth, british, kingdom, descendants, gentile, gentiles, jews, church, nation, lost, replace, tribes, modern
Too many today mistakenly view the Old Testament as being mostly irrelevant. Apparently, it has been superseded by the New Testament. As for Israel, they too have been set aside and replaced by the church. Of course, they only transfer the blessings Yahweh promised Israel to themselves, but none of the curses! However, the Old and New Testaments are not separate ‘books’, but rather make up one whole and continuous Word of God. Therefore, they are both vitally important and relevant to us today.
The Old Testament records the story of His people living under the old covenant, from their beginnings to their eventual downfall and exile. The New Testament continues their story, no longer rejected and without hope, but now redeemed and living under the New Covenant (or Testament) all as promised in the Old Testament (Jer 31:32-33) and fulfilled in the New Testament (Heb 8:7-13).
Not only does the Old Testament contain the rise and fall of His people; the moral code (commandments); the national laws (statutes and judgements) and His promises and prophesies foretelling their future redemption, but ultimately forms the very foundation of the New Testament. For example, there are “…343 Old Testament quotations in the New Testament, as well as no fewer than 2,309 allusions and verbal parallels.” (Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology) Therefore they are both vital to our understanding of His plans and purposes and without a deep understanding of both, neither can be understood. As for all the promises and prophesies contained in both the Old and New Testaments, one must also have a firm grasp of history since prophecy is history prewritten, while history is prophecy fulfilled!
Of course, the fact the New Testament continues the story of Israel rather than replacing them should be no surprise, since Yahshua clearly stated “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt 15:24) and commanded His own disciples to “Go not into the way of the gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel…” (Matt 10:5-7). It seems reasonable to expect His disciples to have obeyed Him and this is what they surely did. In fact, a careful analysis (see our study on ‘Israel in the New Testament’) will show all the gospels and letters written by the apostles and disciples, even Paul were addressed to the Israelites who at that time were scattered among the nations.
However, setting aside the many facts which prove this, some may still argue Paul was really addressing both 1 and 2 Corinthains to the ‘church’ like the majority of other epistles, for he addresses his letter “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth…” Of course, this is in line with current mainstream teaching that the ‘church’ was some new creation after the death and resurrection of Christ Yahshua and made up of all new believers most of whom are said to have been ‘gentiles’ which are then incorrectly identified as ‘non-Israelites’ (see our study on ‘Who are the Gentiles’ for further understanding). This has sadly led many to incorrectly view the ‘church’ as replacing ‘Israel’ since they must be two distinct groups, completely separated from one another. This is certainly the doctrine of many churches, but is it what the scriptures teach?
Before beginning, it’s important to note the word ‘church’ did not exist in the bible until late in the sixteenth century. Instead, early translators such as William Tyndale, Miles Coverdale and Whittingham always translated the Greek word ‘ecclesia’ as being a ‘congregation’ or ‘assembly’. Of course, some might ask what the difference is. Actually, there is a big difference. While a ‘church’ generally means “a place or building for worship”, the word ‘ecclesia’ simply refers to the group, community or congregation of people. In fact, this could even refer to a secular or civil group of people meeting together as it was in Acts 19 when it was used to describe a town meeting in Ephesus.
Therefore, the proper meaning of ‘ecclesia’ is “a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation… or Christian community of members… assembly…” (Strong’s Concordance). Accordingly, when the ‘ecclesia’ or ‘church’ is mentioned in the bible it is never referring to a building or religious institution, but to the people who have been ‘called out’.
In fact, the bible refers to the ‘church’ (more specially the “members”) as being the “body of Christ” (Eph 5:23-32) and makes it clear this could never mean the modern idea of ‘church’ when it states that God "dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24 and Heb 9:24).
So ‘ecclesia’ means a “congregation” or “assembly” of people who have been ‘called out’, and it is obvious Christ is the one that's calling us out. But is this the first time we were ever called out? The apostle Paul wrote:
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17). What is most striking about this passage is its direct quotation from Isaiah 52:11 which Yahweh had specifically addressed to Israel:
“Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city…Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. …For thus saith the Lord Yahweh, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. Now therefore, what have I here, saith Yahweh, that my people is taken away for nought? …Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when Yahweh shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for Yahweh hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. Yahweh hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of Yahweh. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for Yahweh will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward. (Is 52:1-12)
This message is essentially the same as Peter’s when he also quoted an Old Testament passage addressed to Israel and further proves that it is they who have been ‘called out’ and are therefore His ‘ecclessia’ or congregation:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Pe 2:9-10)
Does the Bible refer to Israel as being His ‘congregation’ anywhere else in scripture? The answer is yes, since the ‘church’ was not a new creation after the resurrection, but had existed long before “in the wilderness” having been established at Mt Sinai as Stephen stated in his famous testimony recorded in Acts chapter 6 and 7.
“This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt…” (Acts 7:37-39)
Of course, at that time it was not called the ‘church’, but the “congregation of Israel” and the “Tabernacle of the congregation”. Different names, but the same meaning as ‘church’ as identified above since ‘congregation’ also means “…a stated assemblage (specifically a concourse, or generally a family or crowd): - assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people…” (Strong’s Concordance)
“And they took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came unto the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai…after their departing out of the land of Egypt. And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness…And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before Yahweh: for he hath heard your murmurings. And it came to pass, as Aaron spake unto the whole congregation of the children of Israel, that they looked toward the wilderness, and, behold, the glory of Yahweh appeared in the cloud.” (Ex 16:1-2 and 9-10)
Interestingly, “a concourse” can also mean a hall which relates it both in a modern sense, but also in a historical sense with the Tabernacle which of course was the “tent of meeting” for:
“…the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy” (Ex 30:36)
“And gather thou all the congregation together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Moses did as Yahweh commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which Yahweh commanded to be done.” (Lev 8:3-5)
Not only was the Old Testament congregation or ‘church’, the place where the nation and people were to gather to ‘meet’ with Yahweh, but like the New Testament ‘church’ it was also the place where the priests were to minister before Him; a place of confession, sorrow and repentance and a place of praise:
“And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of Yahweh appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before Yahweh, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” (Lev 9:22-24)
“Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.” (Ezr 10:1)
“I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.” (Ps 22:22)
“And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Yahweh: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.” (Ps 89:5)
“Praise ye Yahweh. Sing unto Yahweh a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.” (Ps 149:1)
It is interesting that the Psalmist refers to the ‘congregation of Israel’ as being the “congregation of saints” again reminding us the those called the ‘saints’ in the New Testament were none other than the Israelites as we concluded earlier.
The prophet Joel also clearly identifies the Old Testament congregation as being a ‘church’:
“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Yahweh, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? Then will Yahweh be jealous for his land, and pity his people.” (Joel 2:15-18)
As stated at the beginning, the Old and New Testaments are not separate ‘books’, but rather make up one whole and continuous Word of God. Therefore, they are both vitally important and relevant to us today. The Old Testament records the story of His people or “congregation” living under the old covenant, from their beginnings to their eventual downfall and exile. The New Testament continues their story, no longer rejected and without hope, but now redeemed and living under the New Covenant (or Testament) as His “chosen people”, “congregation” and “church”. All as promised in the Old Testament (Jer 31:32-33) and fulfilled in the New Testament (Heb 8:7-13).
Keywords: Anglo, Saxon, Celts, Celtic, Israel, Israelites, Britain, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, truth, bible, God, Yahweh, Yahshua, Jesus, truth, british, kingdom, descendants, gentile, gentiles, jews, church, nation, lost, replace, tribes, modern