Israel and the Church Are Distinct


 ▶️ Israel and the Church Are Distinct

1 Corinthians 10:32 – “Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.” ✅ Paul distinguishes three groups: Jews, Gentiles, and the Church. The Church does not replace Israel. ⸻ ▶️ The Promises Belong to Israel Romans 9:4–5 – “To them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.” ✅ Paul writes present tense — the covenants and promises still belong to Israel. ⸻ ▶️ The Olive Tree Illustration Refutes Replacement Romans 11:17–18 – “Do not be arrogant toward the branches… you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” ✅ Gentile believers are grafted in, not swapped in. Israel remains the root. ⸻ ▶️ God’s Promises to Israel Are Irrevocable Romans 11:29 – “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” ✅ God’s calling of Israel is unchanged and permanent. ⸻ ▶️ Jesus Will Reign from Jerusalem, Not Rome or a Church Zechariah 14:16 – “Then everyone… shall go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Booths.” ✅ This is literal Israel in the Millennial Kingdom — the Church does not fulfill this. ⸻ 📖 “I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means!” — Romans 11:1