Israel and the Church are often confused in contemporary Christian discourse. The dispensational reading, which this article follows, holds that both are central to God's redemptive plan but are distinct entities with unique roles and futures. This article explores their separate identities, God's enduring faithfulness to Israel, the Church's composition, and the ultimate convergence of God's purposes for both.

Distinguishing Israel and the Church

The central claim of this reading is that Israel is not the Church, and the Church is not Israel. Israel refers to the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the nation chosen by God through whom His covenants were established and through whom the Messiah would come. The Church, conversely, is described as the body of Christ, composed of all believers in Jesus Christ, both Jew and Gentile, from the day of Pentecost until the rapture, in the pre-tribulational reading. The Apostle Paul names them separately: "Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God" (1 Corinthians 10:32).

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Romans 9:6
KJV

This verse shows a distinction even within Israel itself: a believing remnant within the physical nation. In this reading the Church is "one new man" (Ephesians 2:15), formed at a specific point in history and distinct from the nation of Israel, which existed for millennia before.

God's Enduring Covenants with Israel

God's relationship with Israel is grounded in His covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 15:1-21) promises land, seed, and blessing, which are eternal and irrevocable. The Mosaic Covenant (Exodus 19:1-8) was conditional upon obedience but established Israel as God's peculiar treasure. The Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) guaranteed an eternal throne and kingdom through David's lineage. These covenants, particularly the Abrahamic and Davidic, are unconditional and perpetual. God's faithfulness to these promises ensures a future for national Israel.

For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Romans 11:29
KJV

This verse, found within Paul's extensive discussion of Israel's past, present, and future in Romans 9-11, states that God does not revoke His promises to Israel. Despite Israel's temporary blindness and rejection of the Messiah, God's ultimate plan for them remains intact.

The Church: A New Body, Not Spiritual Israel

The Church is described as the "body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27, Ephesians 1:23, Colossians 1:18), a spiritual organism comprising all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It was inaugurated on the day of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). Matthew Henry takes "the Israel of God" in Galatians 6:16 to mean all sincere Christians, Jews and Gentiles, the spiritual seed of Abraham. The dispensational reading followed here takes the phrase to refer to Jewish believers within the Church, or to the believing remnant of Israel, and holds that the Church is not "spiritual Israel" but a distinct entity, formed by God to unite believing Jews and Gentiles into one new man.

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Ephesians 2:15-16
KJV

This "one new man" is the Church, where the former distinctions between Jew and Gentile in Christ are abolished concerning their standing before God. Gentiles are no longer "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise" (Ephesians 2:12), but are made nigh by the blood of Christ and are "fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19).

Israel's Future and God's Unfolding Plan

The New Testament teaches that God has a future plan for national Israel. Romans 11 is the clearest exposition of this truth. Paul asks, "Hath God cast away his people? God forbid." (Romans 11:1). He then uses the metaphor of the olive tree to illustrate Israel's temporary blindness and the grafting in of Gentile believers. However, he emphasizes that this blindness is only "in part" and "until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" (Romans 11:25).

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Romans 11:26-27
KJV

This future salvation of "all Israel" is understood here as a national spiritual restoration at the return of Christ, distinct from the individual salvation of Jews who believe during the Church Age. Matthew Henry likewise reads it as the coming conversion of the Jews as a nation, when God's time shall come. This demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His purpose for the nation of Israel, which in the premillennial view will be the head and not the tail in the millennial kingdom (Deuteronomy 28:13) and a blessing to the nations (Zechariah 8:23).

The Church's Role and Relationship to Israel

Given these distinctions, what is the Church's proper relationship to Israel?

  • Evangelism: The Church is called to preach the Gospel to "every creature" (Mark 16:15), including the Jewish people. There is no separate Gospel for Jews; salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
  • Humility: Gentile believers should not be arrogant towards Israel, remembering that they are "graffed in among them" and partake of the "root and fatness of the olive tree" (Romans 11:17). The Church's existence is partly due to Israel's temporary fall.
  • Prayer: We are exhorted to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalms 122:6) and for Israel's salvation (Romans 10:1).
  • Support: While not endorsing every political action, those who hold this view recognize God's ongoing purposes for the land and people of Israel, in keeping with the promise to Abraham, "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee" (Genesis 12:3).

The Church is to be a witness to the world, including Israel, of God's saving power and grace. We are to understand that God's plan is not one of replacement but of sequential and distinct purposes that ultimately coalesce in Christ's return.

Conclusion

The relationship between Israel and the Church, when viewed through the lens of KJV Scripture, is one of distinct identities yet interconnected divine purpose. In the dispensational view, Israel remains God's chosen earthly nation, with an eternal future rooted in His unconditional covenants. The Church is a heavenly body, the bride of Christ, formed during this present age, comprising both Jew and Gentile believers. God has not abandoned Israel; their temporary blindness has allowed for the inclusion of the Gentiles into the Church. Ultimately, Israel will be spiritually restored at Christ's second coming, fulfilling all of God's promises. Understanding this relationship shows God's sovereign plan and His unchanging faithfulness to both His earthly people and His heavenly people.