ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH CONTRASTED

Dr. Chafer's CONTRAST BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND ISRAEL -- (Covenant Theology and Neo-Dispensationalism notwithstanding):

EXTENT OF BIBLICAL REVELATION -- Israel occupies nearly four-fifths of the text of the Bible.

As to primary application, the Church occupies slightly more than one-fifth of the Word.

THE DIVINE PURPOSE -- Every covenant, promise, and provision for Israel is earthly, and they continue as a nation on the earth when it is created anew.

Every covenant or promise for the Church is for a heavenly reality, and she continues in heavenly citizenship when the heavens are recreated.

BIRTH -- Israelites become what they are by physical birth.  Each one is begotten of human parents and their inheritance is transmitted by human generation.

Christians become what they are by spiritual birth.   They are begotten directly by God and are therefore His legitimate offspring.   Their inheritance is immediate in that each is a child of God.

NATIONALITY -- Israel belongs to the earth and to the world-system.  Though above all nations in Jehovah's reckoning, they are still in the world as one of its nations.

The Church is composed of all nations, including Israelites, and sustains no citizenship here, but instead the believers are strangers and pilgrims.

MINISTRY -- Israel was appointed to exercise an influence over the nations of the earth, and this she will do perfectly in the coming kingdom age.  Previously she undertook no missionary work, and proclaimed no gospel.  She maintained her self-centered worship--she faced inward toward the tabernacle or temple, and all her benevolence was consumed on her own worship.

Immediately upon her formation, the Church is constituted a foreign missionary society.  It is her obligation to face outward, and to those of her company is given the task of evangelizing the people of the world in each generation.

THE DEATH OF CHRIST -- That nation which demanded the death of Christ and who said by their officials, "His Blood be on us, and on our children," is guilty of that death; yet they will be saved as a nation on the ground of that sacrifice.

A present and perfect salvation to the praise of God is the portion of the Church through the offering of the Lamb of God.

THE FATHER -- To Israel God is known by His primary titles, but not as the Father of the individual Israelite.

The Christian is actually begotten of God and has every right to address Him as Father.

CHRIST -- To Israel, Christ is Messiah, Immanuel, and King.

To the Church, Christ is Saviour, Lord, Bridegroom, Head, and Life.

THE HOLY SPIRIT -- Only in exceptional instances and for unusual service did the Holy Spirit come upon an Israelite, and He withdrew as freely as He came, when the purpose was accomplished.

The Christian is permanently indwelt by the Spirit; and actually, he is not saved apart from this relationship to the Spirit (Rom. 8:9).

GOVERNING PRINCIPLE -- For fifteen centuries the Law of Moses was Israel's rule of daily life (Ps. 103:17,18).

Believers, members of the Body of Christ, being wholly perfected in Him, are under the beseechings and directions which grace provides.

DIVINE ENABLEMENT -- The Law system provided no enabling power for its achievement.  There was constant failure because of the weakness of "the flesh" to which it was addressed (Rom. 8:3).

To the Church is provided, by the indwelling Spirit, enablement for every requirement.  The Apostle Paul could say, "Sin shall not have dominion over you"; the reason being, "Ye are not under law, but under grace" (Romans 6:14).

CHRIST'S RETURN -- He returns as King to gather Israel into the land (Deut. 30:1-8; Jer. 23:7,8; Matt. 24:31).

The Lord Jesus Christ returns for His Bride and takes her with Him into heaven's glory (John 14:1-3).

POSITION -- Isaiah declares, "But thou, Israel, art my servant" (Isa. 41:8). Though individuals in Israel attained to great usefulness, as did the prophets, priests, and kings, yet they never reached a higher distinction than that they were the servants of Jehovah.

Christians compose the Church, forever in Christ, and are members of the family and household of God.

CHRIST'S EARTHLY REIGN -- Israelites are appointed to be subjects of the King in His earthly kingdom.

Members of the Body of Christ are to reign with the King as His Consort in that kingdom.

PRIESTHOOD -- Israel has a priesthood.

The Church is a priesthood.

JUDGMENTS -- Israel must yet come into judgment (Matt. 25:1-13).

The Church has been judged, and will not come into judgment (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1)

 

(L. S. Chafer Systematic Theology IV:47-53).