Israel in the New Testament
The Old and New Testaments One Continuous Word of God
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 Apparently, it has been superseded by the New Testament.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!
New Testament Addressed to Israel
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 study will show all the letters written by the apostles and even Paul were addressed to the Israelites who at that time were scattered among the nations.
James
James was clearly writing to the Israelites when he addresses his letter “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (James 1:1)
James also refers to his ‘Brethren’ and continues to address this group throughout his letter, just as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter and Paul did throughout the New Testament. What is especially illuminating is the Greek word ‘adelphos’ from which ‘brethren’ is nearly always translated (224 times out of a total of 229) is “a connective particle…(the womb); a brother…near or remote… :- brother” (Strong’s Concordance) It therefore denotes a blood relationship as opposed to the Greek word ‘philadelphos’ which only refers to a relationship of faith.
For this reason, the ‘brethren’ James and the others wrote to and about could only have been fellow Israelites by race. James makes this obvious, when he refers to “the twelve tribes” in verse 1 as being “My brethren…” in verse 2.
Peter
Peter in his first epistle leaves no doubt he is writing to the Israelites when he addresses his letter “To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father…(1 Pe 1:1-2)
Remember Israel were called “God’s elect” throughout the bible or as otherwise translated “God’s chosen” since it means “by implication favourite: - chosen” (Strong’s Concordance 1588). For example, Yahweh called them “…Israel mine elect…” (Isa 45:4) “and Israel, whom I have chosen” (Isa 44:1) “…Israel his servant…his chosen ones” (1Ch 16:13) “Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psa 33:12)
They were also “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God”, for it was said of Israel “…Yahweh thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” (Deut 7:6) Of course, by the first century they had long been “exiles” (meaning resident foreigners, pilgrims or strangers) having been “scattered throughout the provinces” or as James put it “scattered abroad” for many centuries.
This occurred after the House of Israel (10 Tribes in Northern Palestine) were taken captive by the Assyrians around 721 BC. Yahweh is said to have removed all Israel (2 Kings 17:18) from His presence (i.e. removed from Palestine) and the bible doesn’t mention anyone returning accept one priest (2 Kings 17:23-28). Instead they migrated north west to the land they would be replanted in fulfilment of the words Samuel prophesied to King David (2 Sam 7:10-11). This is further confirmed in 2 Esdras 13:40-45 stating when the House of Israel was captive in Assyria, they took “counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitudes of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt”.
Josephus the renown ancient Jewish historian, wrote in his Antiquities of the Jews, Book 2, Chapter 5, v2 that out of all the “entire body of Israel”…“ten tribes were beyond Euphrates till now” and were an “immense multitude, and could not be estimated by numbers”. This migration has also been confirmed by many leading historians, archaeological findings and historical records which is all in fulfilment of the prophesies and promises concerning Israel.
Peter continues “…which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Yahshua Christ…” (1 Pe 1:3) This could only refer to Israel, since only Israel is said to have been begotten. “…Yahweh hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” (Ps 2:7), "Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Ex 4:22) for "I am a father to Israel…my firstborn." (Jer 31:9) Not only is Israel referred to as God's "Son", but his “first born”! Therefore, Peter could have only been addressing this to Israel because only Israel could be begotten again.
Peter then goes even further and applies two Old Testament passages specially addressed to Israel to these same ‘elect’ and “exiles” when he states “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)
It was none other than Israel who were the “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people”, as spoken by Yahweh who commanded “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Ex 19:6) It was Israel who were the “peculiar people” “For thou art an holy people unto Yahweh thy God, and Yahweh hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deut 14:2) “For Yahweh hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.” (Psa 135:4)
It was also Israel “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 2:10) “…for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away...for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together” (Hos 1:6-11)
To put it beyond all doubt, when Peter refers to this “chosen generation” he uses the Greek word ‘genos’. What is especially interesting is this does not refer to a ‘period of time’ or age in which people lived, but refers to a ‘race of people’ since it specially means “kin…individually or collectively…born, country…kind (-red), nation, offspring, stock.” (Strong’s Concordance G1085) In other words, he was addressing the “chosen race” who as we know were non-other than fellow Israelites.
John
As mentioned previously, John like the others wrote his letters to his ‘Brethren’ which could only be fellow Israelites since ‘brethren’ comes from the Greek word ‘adelphos’ which denotes a blood relationship. This would make sense considering only fellow Israelites had had the old commandments from the beginning:
“Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.” (1Jn 2:7)
Continuing, he writes “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 Jn 3:1-2)
Only the Israelites could refer to God as their “Father” and to being “Beloved, now are we the sons of God” for "Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Ex 4:22) for "I am a father to Israel…" (Jer 31:9) and “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea…and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.” (Hos 1:10)
John later makes the statement, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 Jn 4:10-11 and 19) Was it not the Israelites whom Yahweh “first loved”?
“And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt” (Deut 4:37)
“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (Hos 11:1)
“Blessed be Yahweh thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for Yahweh thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever…” (2 Ch 9:8)
“Yahweh hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jer 31:3)
The final proof that John wrote his letters to his fellow Israelite ‘Brethren’ is, “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.” (2 John 1:5-6) Again, only the Israelites had had the commandments “from the beginning” and therefore only to them could he write that it was not “a new commandment” but one they had “heard from the beginning”.
Paul
What about Paul? Many have taught he started a new mission to the ‘gentiles’ (whom we are told were non-Israelites) and sight the book of Romans as an example. However, after a careful reading of this book (remember Paul never called it ‘Romans’) it becomes clear he was not writing to the ‘romans’ or the general population of Rome, but was instead writing “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 1:7) In other words, he was writing to a particular group of people in Rome who were called ‘saints’ and were ‘beloved of God’.
The bible tells us “all His saints” are Israelites. Not just some of them, but all of them! For it says:
“He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints of Israel, the people close to his heart" (Ps 148:14)
“And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, Yahweh came from Sinai…and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.” (Deut 33:1-4)
“Praise ye Yahweh. Sing unto Yahweh a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King…For Yahweh taketh pleasure in his people…Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand…To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye Yahweh.” (Psa 149:1-9)
And it is Israel who is ‘beloved of God’ since “Blessed be Yahweh thy God…because Yahweh loved Israel for ever…” (1Kings: 10:9), “But because Yahweh loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath Yahweh brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you…” (Deut 7:8) and “…Because Yahweh hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.” (2 Ch 2:11)
Therefore he was writing to a colony of Israelites who were living in Rome at that time. In fact, history even records some of the British royal families as residing in Rome at that time after some had been taken captive and transported there to be held as ‘hostages’ to discourage rebellion after their invasion of Britain. However let’s examine the Epistle to the Romans still more closely.
Some may still insist he was simply writing to the many people living in Rome and that we are all ‘beloved’ and ‘called to be saints’ and yet throughout the letter it is clear he is writing to a people who had had a prior knowledge and relationship with Yahweh, but had turned away in times past for he refers to a time “when they knew God”, but had “became vain…and their foolish heart was darkened”, “became fools” and “changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man”. For this reason, “God also gave them up to uncleanness” and because “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind” even though they “knowing the judgment of God”.
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man...Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts…Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator…And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind…Being filled with all unrighteousness…Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death...” (Rom 1:21-32)
Obviously, the Romans had never had a knowledge or relationship with Yahweh, nor known His judgements, only the Israelites. Therefore, he could only be addressing them. The fact they were also identified as being “covenantbreakers” proves this further since Yahweh had only made a covenant with Israel and therefore only they could have broken it which they did.
“They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.” (Jer 11:10)
Paul continues further and tells these "saints" in Rome, “That Abraham is our father, as pertaining to the flesh," (Rom 4:1) and "… the father of us all" (Rom 4:16) He could certainly not have told any non-Israelite that Abraham was their father, “as pertaining to the flesh”! So there is no room for any doubt, he also calls these ‘saints’ “brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,)…” (Rom 7:1) Surely, his ‘brethren’ were fellow Israelites like him who also knew the law and could call Abraham their father in ‘the flesh’.
In fact, Paul later states emphatically he is indeed writing to the Israelites when he writes “…my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” (Rom 9:3-5)
You see, Paul never believed nor taught that Yahweh had set aside the Israelites, for he also said "I say then, hath Yahweh cast away His people? Yahweh forbid! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Yahweh hath not cast away His people which He foreknew!" (Rom 11:1-2) and “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Rom 10:1) Why, because it is the "Israelites: to whom pertaineth the adoption..."
Again, there can be no room here for any spiritualisation!
Remember what Paul says about those Yahweh foreknew. “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son. Moreover, Whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." (Rom 8:29-30)
Like Peter, Paul also applies the same Old Testament passage concerning Israel found in Hos 1:6-11 to the ‘saints’ in Rome. “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. (Rom 9:25-26)
What about Paul’s other Epistles, including 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon? Were these also written to various Israelite colonies in each of those cities?
A quick review of I Corinthians 1:2, II Corinthians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:2, 24-26 and Philemon 1:5 all clearly show Paul as in ‘Romans’ writing to those who were the ‘saints’ in those various cities too. As shown previously, the Israelites were identified as the ‘saints’ throughout the Old Testament and it is also important to note that the word ‘saints’ also means ‘holy ones’ in Hebrew and Greek which again links it directly to the Israelites for Yahweh called them and them alone His “holy people” and His “holy nation”.
“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Ex 19:6)
“For thou art an holy people unto Yahweh thy God, and Yahweh hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deut 14:2)
Paul knew the Israelites (or ‘saints’) were the people to whom Yahweh's message was addressed. The people in whom the message must take root, that they should be called to His service as Yahweh had declared from the beginning. Therefore, it was to them that Paul wrote and not to the general population. For example:
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 1:2-3)
“Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor 1:2)
Remember, only Israel could refer to God as being their Father because only Israel is said to have been begotten. “…Yahweh hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” (Psa 2:7), "Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Ex 4:22) for "I am a father to Israel…my firstborn." (Jer 31:9)
In I Corinthians 10:1-4, he writes, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did ALL eat the same spiritual meat; and did ALL drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock which followed them: and that Rock was Christ."
Paul could not have truthfully told ‘non-Israelites’ that their fathers, like his, had all passed through the Red Sea with Moses and had all been protected by the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night and had all eaten the manna and had all drunk of the water which poured out of the rock in answer to Moses' prayer. Only to Israelites could he have said this with the slightest spark of truth.
Did the 'Church' Replace Israel?
Setting aside many of these truths, some will 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, gospel, british, kingdom, jews, descendants, promises, testament, new, covenant, word, sheep, lost, hope, plan, purpose
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!
New Testament Addressed to Israel
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 study will show all the letters written by the apostles and even Paul were addressed to the Israelites who at that time were scattered among the nations.
James
James was clearly writing to the Israelites when he addresses his letter “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” (James 1:1)
James also refers to his ‘Brethren’ and continues to address this group throughout his letter, just as Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter and Paul did throughout the New Testament. What is especially illuminating is the Greek word ‘adelphos’ from which ‘brethren’ is nearly always translated (224 times out of a total of 229) is “a connective particle…(the womb); a brother…near or remote… :- brother” (Strong’s Concordance) It therefore denotes a blood relationship as opposed to the Greek word ‘philadelphos’ which only refers to a relationship of faith.
For this reason, the ‘brethren’ James and the others wrote to and about could only have been fellow Israelites by race. James makes this obvious, when he refers to “the twelve tribes” in verse 1 as being “My brethren…” in verse 2.
Peter
Peter in his first epistle leaves no doubt he is writing to the Israelites when he addresses his letter “To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father…(1 Pe 1:1-2)
Remember Israel were called “God’s elect” throughout the bible or as otherwise translated “God’s chosen” since it means “by implication favourite: - chosen” (Strong’s Concordance 1588). For example, Yahweh called them “…Israel mine elect…” (Isa 45:4) “and Israel, whom I have chosen” (Isa 44:1) “…Israel his servant…his chosen ones” (1Ch 16:13) “Blessed is the nation whose God is Yahweh; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” (Psa 33:12)
They were also “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God”, for it was said of Israel “…Yahweh thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.” (Deut 7:6) Of course, by the first century they had long been “exiles” (meaning resident foreigners, pilgrims or strangers) having been “scattered throughout the provinces” or as James put it “scattered abroad” for many centuries.
This occurred after the House of Israel (10 Tribes in Northern Palestine) were taken captive by the Assyrians around 721 BC. Yahweh is said to have removed all Israel (2 Kings 17:18) from His presence (i.e. removed from Palestine) and the bible doesn’t mention anyone returning accept one priest (2 Kings 17:23-28). Instead they migrated north west to the land they would be replanted in fulfilment of the words Samuel prophesied to King David (2 Sam 7:10-11). This is further confirmed in 2 Esdras 13:40-45 stating when the House of Israel was captive in Assyria, they took “counsel among themselves, that they would leave the multitudes of the heathen, and go forth into a further country, where never mankind dwelt”.
Josephus the renown ancient Jewish historian, wrote in his Antiquities of the Jews, Book 2, Chapter 5, v2 that out of all the “entire body of Israel”…“ten tribes were beyond Euphrates till now” and were an “immense multitude, and could not be estimated by numbers”. This migration has also been confirmed by many leading historians, archaeological findings and historical records which is all in fulfilment of the prophesies and promises concerning Israel.
Peter continues “…which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Yahshua Christ…” (1 Pe 1:3) This could only refer to Israel, since only Israel is said to have been begotten. “…Yahweh hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” (Ps 2:7), "Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Ex 4:22) for "I am a father to Israel…my firstborn." (Jer 31:9) Not only is Israel referred to as God's "Son", but his “first born”! Therefore, Peter could have only been addressing this to Israel because only Israel could be begotten again.
Peter then goes even further and applies two Old Testament passages specially addressed to Israel to these same ‘elect’ and “exiles” when he states “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)
It was none other than Israel who were the “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people”, as spoken by Yahweh who commanded “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Ex 19:6) It was Israel who were the “peculiar people” “For thou art an holy people unto Yahweh thy God, and Yahweh hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deut 14:2) “For Yahweh hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.” (Psa 135:4)
It was also Israel “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 2:10) “…for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away...for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together” (Hos 1:6-11)
To put it beyond all doubt, when Peter refers to this “chosen generation” he uses the Greek word ‘genos’. What is especially interesting is this does not refer to a ‘period of time’ or age in which people lived, but refers to a ‘race of people’ since it specially means “kin…individually or collectively…born, country…kind (-red), nation, offspring, stock.” (Strong’s Concordance G1085) In other words, he was addressing the “chosen race” who as we know were non-other than fellow Israelites.
John
As mentioned previously, John like the others wrote his letters to his ‘Brethren’ which could only be fellow Israelites since ‘brethren’ comes from the Greek word ‘adelphos’ which denotes a blood relationship. This would make sense considering only fellow Israelites had had the old commandments from the beginning:
“Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.” (1Jn 2:7)
Continuing, he writes “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 Jn 3:1-2)
Only the Israelites could refer to God as their “Father” and to being “Beloved, now are we the sons of God” for "Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Ex 4:22) for "I am a father to Israel…" (Jer 31:9) and “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea…and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.” (Hos 1:10)
John later makes the statement, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 Jn 4:10-11 and 19) Was it not the Israelites whom Yahweh “first loved”?
“And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and brought thee out in his sight with his mighty power out of Egypt” (Deut 4:37)
“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” (Hos 11:1)
“Blessed be Yahweh thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for Yahweh thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever…” (2 Ch 9:8)
“Yahweh hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” (Jer 31:3)
The final proof that John wrote his letters to his fellow Israelite ‘Brethren’ is, “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.” (2 John 1:5-6) Again, only the Israelites had had the commandments “from the beginning” and therefore only to them could he write that it was not “a new commandment” but one they had “heard from the beginning”.
Paul
What about Paul? Many have taught he started a new mission to the ‘gentiles’ (whom we are told were non-Israelites) and sight the book of Romans as an example. However, after a careful reading of this book (remember Paul never called it ‘Romans’) it becomes clear he was not writing to the ‘romans’ or the general population of Rome, but was instead writing “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 1:7) In other words, he was writing to a particular group of people in Rome who were called ‘saints’ and were ‘beloved of God’.
The bible tells us “all His saints” are Israelites. Not just some of them, but all of them! For it says:
“He has raised up for his people a horn, the praise of all his saints of Israel, the people close to his heart" (Ps 148:14)
“And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. And he said, Yahweh came from Sinai…and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.” (Deut 33:1-4)
“Praise ye Yahweh. Sing unto Yahweh a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King…For Yahweh taketh pleasure in his people…Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand…To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye Yahweh.” (Psa 149:1-9)
And it is Israel who is ‘beloved of God’ since “Blessed be Yahweh thy God…because Yahweh loved Israel for ever…” (1Kings: 10:9), “But because Yahweh loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath Yahweh brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you…” (Deut 7:8) and “…Because Yahweh hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.” (2 Ch 2:11)
Therefore he was writing to a colony of Israelites who were living in Rome at that time. In fact, history even records some of the British royal families as residing in Rome at that time after some had been taken captive and transported there to be held as ‘hostages’ to discourage rebellion after their invasion of Britain. However let’s examine the Epistle to the Romans still more closely.
Some may still insist he was simply writing to the many people living in Rome and that we are all ‘beloved’ and ‘called to be saints’ and yet throughout the letter it is clear he is writing to a people who had had a prior knowledge and relationship with Yahweh, but had turned away in times past for he refers to a time “when they knew God”, but had “became vain…and their foolish heart was darkened”, “became fools” and “changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man”. For this reason, “God also gave them up to uncleanness” and because “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind” even though they “knowing the judgment of God”.
“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man...Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts…Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator…And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind…Being filled with all unrighteousness…Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death...” (Rom 1:21-32)
Obviously, the Romans had never had a knowledge or relationship with Yahweh, nor known His judgements, only the Israelites. Therefore, he could only be addressing them. The fact they were also identified as being “covenantbreakers” proves this further since Yahweh had only made a covenant with Israel and therefore only they could have broken it which they did.
“They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.” (Jer 11:10)
Paul continues further and tells these "saints" in Rome, “That Abraham is our father, as pertaining to the flesh," (Rom 4:1) and "… the father of us all" (Rom 4:16) He could certainly not have told any non-Israelite that Abraham was their father, “as pertaining to the flesh”! So there is no room for any doubt, he also calls these ‘saints’ “brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,)…” (Rom 7:1) Surely, his ‘brethren’ were fellow Israelites like him who also knew the law and could call Abraham their father in ‘the flesh’.
In fact, Paul later states emphatically he is indeed writing to the Israelites when he writes “…my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” (Rom 9:3-5)
You see, Paul never believed nor taught that Yahweh had set aside the Israelites, for he also said "I say then, hath Yahweh cast away His people? Yahweh forbid! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Yahweh hath not cast away His people which He foreknew!" (Rom 11:1-2) and “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Rom 10:1) Why, because it is the "Israelites: to whom pertaineth the adoption..."
Again, there can be no room here for any spiritualisation!
Remember what Paul says about those Yahweh foreknew. “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son. Moreover, Whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified." (Rom 8:29-30)
Like Peter, Paul also applies the same Old Testament passage concerning Israel found in Hos 1:6-11 to the ‘saints’ in Rome. “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. (Rom 9:25-26)
What about Paul’s other Epistles, including 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon? Were these also written to various Israelite colonies in each of those cities?
A quick review of I Corinthians 1:2, II Corinthians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:2, 24-26 and Philemon 1:5 all clearly show Paul as in ‘Romans’ writing to those who were the ‘saints’ in those various cities too. As shown previously, the Israelites were identified as the ‘saints’ throughout the Old Testament and it is also important to note that the word ‘saints’ also means ‘holy ones’ in Hebrew and Greek which again links it directly to the Israelites for Yahweh called them and them alone His “holy people” and His “holy nation”.
“And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” (Ex 19:6)
“For thou art an holy people unto Yahweh thy God, and Yahweh hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” (Deut 14:2)
Paul knew the Israelites (or ‘saints’) were the people to whom Yahweh's message was addressed. The people in whom the message must take root, that they should be called to His service as Yahweh had declared from the beginning. Therefore, it was to them that Paul wrote and not to the general population. For example:
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor 1:2-3)
“Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor 1:2)
Remember, only Israel could refer to God as being their Father because only Israel is said to have been begotten. “…Yahweh hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” (Psa 2:7), "Thus saith Jehovah, Israel is my son, even my firstborn" (Ex 4:22) for "I am a father to Israel…my firstborn." (Jer 31:9)
In I Corinthians 10:1-4, he writes, "Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did ALL eat the same spiritual meat; and did ALL drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock which followed them: and that Rock was Christ."
Paul could not have truthfully told ‘non-Israelites’ that their fathers, like his, had all passed through the Red Sea with Moses and had all been protected by the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night and had all eaten the manna and had all drunk of the water which poured out of the rock in answer to Moses' prayer. Only to Israelites could he have said this with the slightest spark of truth.
Did the 'Church' Replace Israel?
Setting aside many of these truths, some will 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, gospel, british, kingdom, jews, descendants, promises, testament, new, covenant, word, sheep, lost, hope, plan, purpose