Topical Encyclopedia The concept of the "Church of Israel" is rooted in the understanding of Israel as the chosen people of God, a nation set apart to uphold His statutes and commandments. This idea is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, where Israel is called to be a holy nation, a kingdom of priests, and a light to the nations. Members of this covenant community are required to adhere to the statutes given by God, which are seen as expressions of His will and character.Biblical Foundation The foundation for the Church of Israel's requirement to keep God's statutes is found in the covenantal relationship established between God and Israel. In Exodus 19:5-6 , God declares, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. And unto Me you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This passage underscores the conditional nature of the covenant, where obedience to God's statutes is essential for maintaining the special status of being His people. Statutes and Commandments The statutes given to Israel encompass a wide range of laws, including moral, ceremonial, and civil regulations. These are detailed primarily in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21, serve as the core moral code, while additional laws provide guidance on worship, social justice, and community living. In Deuteronomy 6:1-2 , Moses emphasizes the importance of these statutes: "These are the commandments and statutes and ordinances that the LORD your God has instructed me to teach you to follow in the land that you are about to enter and possess, so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged." Role of the Law The law serves multiple purposes within the Church of Israel. It is a means of sanctification, setting the people apart for God's purposes. Leviticus 20:7-8 states, "Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am the LORD your God. Keep My statutes and practice them. I am the LORD who sanctifies you." The statutes are also a reflection of God's justice and righteousness, providing a framework for living in harmony with His will. Covenant Faithfulness Faithfulness to the covenant is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. The blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience are outlined in passages such as Deuteronomy 28. The call to keep God's statutes is not merely a legalistic requirement but a response to His grace and a demonstration of love and loyalty to Him. Deuteronomy 11:1 exhorts, "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments." Prophetic Call to Obedience The prophets of Israel continually called the people back to faithfulness in keeping God's statutes. They warned of the consequences of neglecting the law and urged repentance and renewal. Jeremiah 7:23 captures this call: "But this is what I commanded them: Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you." New Testament Continuity In the New Testament, the Church is seen as the continuation and fulfillment of the promises made to Israel. While the ceremonial aspects of the law are fulfilled in Christ, the moral imperatives remain. Jesus affirms the enduring relevance of God's commandments in Matthew 5:17-19 : "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." The Church, as the spiritual Israel, is called to uphold the principles of God's law, living out the righteousness that the statutes embody. The apostle Paul reiterates this in Romans 8:4 , stating that "the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 16:12And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt: and you shall observe and do these statutes. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds The Statute of David for the Sharing of the Spoil An Appendix to the Beatitudes Israel's Hope Encouraged; The Fear which Terminates in the Second Death. Christ --The Power and Wisdom of God Treatise iii. On the Lapsed. The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled. The Second Commandment A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox. 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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