Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the "Church of Israel" refers to the assembly or congregation of the Israelites, who were chosen by God as His covenant people. This attachment is deeply rooted in the identity, history, and religious life of the Jewish people, as depicted throughout the Old and New Testaments.Covenantal Relationship The attachment of the Jews to the Church of Israel is primarily founded on the covenantal relationship established by God with the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This covenant is reiterated and expanded upon throughout the Scriptures. In Genesis 17:7 , God declares to Abraham, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." The Law and the Prophets The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai further solidified the attachment of the Jews to the Church of Israel. The Law served as a guide for living in accordance with God's will and maintaining the distinct identity of the Israelites as His chosen people. Deuteronomy 7:6 states, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth." The Prophets continually called the Israelites back to faithfulness, emphasizing their unique relationship with God. This attachment is seen in the prophetic literature, where the Israelites are reminded of their special status and responsibilities. Isaiah 41:8-9 affirms, "But you, O Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, descendant of Abraham My friend—I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, 'You are My servant.' I have chosen and not rejected you." Worship and the Temple The centrality of worship in the life of the Israelites further underscores their attachment to the Church of Israel. The Tabernacle, and later the Temple in Jerusalem, served as the focal point of religious life, where sacrifices were offered, and festivals were celebrated. The Psalms frequently express the deep longing and attachment of the Jewish people to the place of worship. Psalm 122:1 captures this sentiment: "I was glad when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the LORD.'" Messianic Hope The attachment of the Jews to the Church of Israel is also characterized by the hope of the coming Messiah, who would fulfill God's promises to His people. This messianic expectation is woven throughout the Old Testament and is a central theme in the New Testament. The anticipation of the Messiah's arrival is a testament to the enduring hope and attachment of the Jewish people to their divine calling and destiny. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the attachment of the Jews to the Church of Israel is acknowledged and expanded upon through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 9:4-5 , reflects on the privileges of the Israelites: "Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple worship, and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen." The early Christian church, while opening the doors to Gentiles, recognized the foundational role of the Jewish people in God's redemptive plan. The attachment of the Jews to the Church of Israel remains a significant aspect of biblical theology, reflecting God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His unfolding plan of salvation for all humanity. Torrey's Topical Textbook John 9:28,29Then they reviled him, and said, You are his disciple; but we are Moses' disciples. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 6:11 Library The Organization of the Apostolic Church. The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ... The Formation and Order of the Primitive Church. Philosophy Vs. Christianity The Charter of Gentile Liberty St. Paul's Wish to be Accursed from Christ. The Twelve and the Seventy. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans The Barren Fig-Tree. Place of Jesus in the History of the World. Resources What are appropriate reasons for missing church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the church? | GotQuestions.org What is meant by High Church and Low Church? | GotQuestions.org Church: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Church and State: Attempted Usurpation of Ecclesiastical Functions by Civil Authorities, Reproved Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Appoints Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Directs Administration Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Reproves Rulers Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Church and State: Manasseh, in Subverting, and Afterward Restoring, the True Religion Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Ahaz, in Transforming the Altars Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Hezekiah, in Reorganizing Temple Service Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jehoash, in Supervising the Repairs of the Temple Church and State: State Superior to Religion: Jeroboam, in Subverting the Jewish Religion Church is Clothed in Righteousness Church of Israel in Covenant With God Church of Israel was Relatively Holy Church of Israel: A Type of the Church of Christ Church of Israel: Admission Into, by Circumcision Church of Israel: All Israelites Members of Church of Israel: Attachment of the Jews To Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of Israel Church of Israel: Called The: Congregation of the Lord Church of Israel: Established by God Church of Israel: Had: A Spiritual Church Within It Church of Israel: Had: An Appointed Place of Worship Church of Israel: Had: An Ordained Ministry Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Feasts Church of Israel: Had: Appointed Ordinances Church of Israel: Had: The Divine Presence Manifested in It Church of Israel: Members of Excommunicated for Heavy Offenses Church of Israel: Members of Required to Attend Its Worship Church of Israel: Members of Required to Keeps Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Required to Know Its Statutes Church of Israel: Members of Separated From, While Unclean Church of Israel: Persons Excluded From Church of Israel: Privileges of Church of Israel: Proselytes Admitted Into Church of Israel: Supported by the People Church of Israel: The Depository of Holy Writ Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Praise Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Prayer Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Preaching Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Reading God's Word Church of Israel: Worship of, Consisted in Sacrifice Church: Assembly of the Saints Church: Assembly of the Upright Church: Baptized (Immersed) Into by One Spirit Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord Church: Branch of God's Planting Church: Called the Congregation in the O. 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And Others) Church: Christian, Divinely Established Church: Church of the Firstborn Church: Church of the Living God Church: City of the Living God Church: Congregation of Saints Church: Congregation of the Lord's Poor Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished Church: Divisions In, to be Shunned Church: Family in Heaven and Earth Church: General Assembly of the Firstborn (People) Church: God Provides Ministers For Church: God's Husbandry (Farm) Church: Golden Candlestick (Lampstand) Church: Government of, Mosaic and Christian Church: Harmonious Fellowship of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Antioch Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Asia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Babylon Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Caesarea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cenchrea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Cilicia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Corinth Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Ephesus Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galatia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Galilee Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Jerusalem Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Joppa Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Judaea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Laodicea Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Pergamos Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Philadelphia Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Samaria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Sardis Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Smyrna Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Syria Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thessalonica Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Thyatira Church: Lot of God's Inheritance Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed Church: Mountain of the Lord's House Church: Pillar and Ground of the Truth Church: Prophecies Concerning Prosperity of Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Church: Salt and Light of the World Church: Sought Out, a City not Forsaken Church: Strength and Glory of God Church: Temple of the Living God Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Church: Worship of, to be Attended The Church is Edified by the Word The Church: Believers Continually Added To, by the Lord The Church: Christ, the Foundation-Stone of The Church: Christ, the Head of The Church: Clothed in Righteousness The Church: Defiling of, Will be Punished The Church: Displays the Wisdom of God The Church: Extent of, Predicted The Church: Glory to be Ascribed to God By The Church: God Provides Ministers For The Church: Ministers Commanded to Feed The Church: Not to be Despised The Church: Purchased by the Blood of Christ The Church: Saints Baptised Into, by One Spirit The Church: Sanctified and Cleansed by Christ The Church: Shows Forth the Praises of God The Church: The Body of Christ The Church: The Object of the Grace of God The Church: The Wicked Persecute Related Terms |
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