The term "Israel" is used 73 times in the New Testament, but it does not always refer to the same thing. In some cases, it refers to the physical nation of Israel, with its people and territory. In other cases, it refers to the spiritual Israel of God, which is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ, regardless of their ethnicity.
In the New Testament, Jesus is often portrayed as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises to Israel. He is the Messiah, the Son of David, who has come to save his people from their sins. Jesus also teaches that the true Israel is not defined by ethnicity or physical descent, but by faith in him.
The New Covenant
In the New Testament, Jesus establishes a new covenant with his people. This new covenant is based on his sacrifice on the cross, which pays the penalty for sin and makes forgiveness possible for all. The new covenant is also based on the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to live a life of obedience to God.
The Church and Israel
The New Testament church is made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers. Both groups are united by their faith in Jesus Christ, and both are considered to be part of the true Israel of God.
The New Testament also teaches that God has not abandoned the physical nation of Israel. He still has a plan for Israel, and he will one day fulfill all of his promises to his chosen people.
Here are some of the ways that New Testament Israel is different from Old Testament Israel:
- New Testament Israel is based on faith in Jesus Christ, while Old Testament Israel was based on ethnicity and physical descent.
- New Testament Israel is made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers, while Old Testament Israel was made up of Jews only.
- New Testament Israel is under the new covenant, which is based on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and the empowering of the Holy Spirit, while Old Testament Israel was under the old covenant, which was based on the law of Moses.
- New Testament Israel is the spiritual Israel of God, while Old Testament Israel was the physical nation of Israel.
Despite these differences, New Testament Israel is still a continuation of Old Testament Israel. God has not abandoned his people, and he will one day fulfill all of his promises to them.
