You know, there’s a subtle but critical misunderstanding floating around in some corners of Christianity—that we, as believers in Christ, are somehow the “spiritual Israel.” It sounds catchy, even comforting. After all, Israel is God’s chosen nation, and who wouldn’t want to be part of that prestigious lineage, right? But here’s the kicker: if we really lean into Scripture, especially from the grace perspective, we quickly discover that this idea doesn’t hold up under the bright light of God’s Word rightly divided.
Israel in the Old Testament vs. the Church in the New
First, let’s confront what “Israel” means in the Bible. In the Old Testament, Israel is the nation God chose as His earthly people. There were promises, covenants filled with land, nationhood, and a Messiah born into this line. All of this was foundational to God’s redemptive plan. But—and this is a big but—it’s tied deeply to ethnic Israel and the Law given through Moses.
The Church, by contrast, emerges clearly in the New Testament post-resurrection. Paul, the great apostle of grace, famously describes the Church as a new entity altogether—a “body” unified in Christ, made up from all nations, Jew and Gentile alike. The Church isn’t a rebrand of Israel or a spiritual substitution; it’s something new. In Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul explains how believers are no longer strangers or foreigners but joined together as one new man. That’s a fresh start, not just an update to an old identity.
Why Confusing the Two Creates Problems
Why should we care about this distinction? Because blurring the line can lead to some theological missteps that directly impact how we understand grace, law, and salvation. If the Church is spiritual Israel, then does that mean we’re still under the Law’s covenantal demands? Would that not undercut the finished work of Jesus?
Let me be crystal clear: the grace dispensed to us is not contingent on keeping the Mosaic Law. We’re under Christ, not Moses. Romans 6:14 says we are not under law but under grace! So, when you hear people pushing the idea that Christians have replaced Israel or are now spiritual Israel, you’re likely walking into a theology that traps believers back into a legalistic framework, whether subtly or overtly.
The Mystery Revealed: The Church and Israel Are Distinct
Paul calls the Church a “mystery”—something previously hidden but now revealed in Christ (Ephesians 3:3-6). This mystery isn’t a spiritual rebranding of Israel; rather, it includes Gentiles into God’s family on completely new terms. It’s a divine secret that the people of God expanded beyond physical descendants of Abraham to include anyone who believes in Jesus Christ.
Think about it: Israel’s promises in the Old Testament were tied to land and national restoration. But the Church’s inheritance is heavenly, not earthly. Revelation 21 describes believers as citizens of the New Jerusalem, a city coming down from heaven, not a piece of earthly real estate. Different promises, different scope.
So Why Do Some Insist We Are Spiritual Israel?
I get it. It’s tempting. Wanting to connect to the history, the promises, the narrative of God’s chosen people pulls at the soul. It feels important to belong. But many mix up prophetic Israel and the Church because they aren’t rightly dividing the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15). They read the Old Testament through New Testament eyes or vice versa without recognizing the distinct dispensations—God’s different administrative ways of dealing with humanity.
When people ignore these distinctions, they end up either trying to live under the Law or piling Old Testament obligations onto believers, undermining the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice. That’s the very opposite of grace. It’s like someone trying to fit a square peg into a round hole: it just doesn’t work.
Understanding Our Identity in Christ
Our true identity is not as spiritual Israel but as children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul tells us in Galatians 3:28-29 that if we are in Christ, we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to promise—that promise being the gospel fulfilled in Christ, not the Law. Our relationship is by faith, not by flesh or works.
Here’s another angle: spiritual Israel messaging often makes ethnicity and national identity too central to salvation. It can inadvertently promote a kind of religious nationalism or exclusivity. Instead, the grace message pulls us out of those boundaries. The gospel is radically inclusive. It tears down dividing walls. It invites anyone, everywhere, into fellowship with God’s Spirit.
If you ever find yourself wrestling with your identity in Christ, remember that your co-heirs with Christ include individuals from every tribe and tongue. That’s the beauty of the Church: diversity united by faith.
How This Impacts Our Walk Now
Knowing we are not spiritual Israel frees us to live in the full liberty of grace. We don’t have to wrestle with Old Testament ceremonies, sacrifices, or legalistic frameworks. Our standing before God rests purely on what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
This clarity helps us keep a sharp eye against teachings that subtly pull us back into trying to earn our salvation or prove our spiritual identity through lineage or works. Instead, it drives us deeper into the gospel message every single day. The gospel assures us we are accepted—completely—because of Jesus.
If you ever get stuck, let Scripture speak straight to your heart. For inspiration, the daily encouragement at Verse for the Day offers powerful reminders of God’s grace and truth that can keep your soul anchored.
Final thought: The Church isn’t spiritual Israel. The two are distinctly different according to God’s divine economy. To muddle them is to risk missing the wonder of grace offered freely to all who believe. The next time you hear someone say otherwise, remember the power of rightly dividing the Word—not only for knowledge but for your very soul.