1. The Definition of the Church Part 1
Ecclesiology
The Definition of the Church
Part 1

3. There is little that does more to betray theological position and hermeneutical grid than how one approaches the subject of ecclesiology. How the people of a Reformed/Covenant persuasion view the church as opposed to how a dispensationalist sees the church demonstrates the significant divide between the two groups. The difference in hermeneutics lies in the literal view of prophecy on the part of dispensationalists, while the Reformed/Covenant thinkers insist upon spiritualizing prophecy leaving the door open to the broadest interpretations.

4. To insist upon an allegorical approach to prophecy while expecting a literal interpretation of the rest of Scripture, is grossly inconsistent and frankly a grievous error. Based upon that error, the Reformed/Covenant theologians insist that the church is the extension of Israel and that in some inexplicable way has come to possess the promises made to Israel. This simply is not true. The most basic comparison of Israel and the Church makes it abundantly clear that the two are distinctively different.

5. A Contrast and Comparison
Israel
The Church
Purpose and Plan
Earthly
Heavenly
Lineage
Abraham’s Natural Seed
Abraham’s Spiritual Seed (Rom. 4)
Entry
By Natural Birth
By Spiritual Birth
Head
Abraham
Christ
God’s Dealings
With the Nation
With the Individual

6. Israel
The Church
Ministry
Internal
Global
Relationship to God
Sovereign God
Heavenly Father
Christ
Coming Messiah
Present Savior
Holy Spirit
Came upon the Israelite
Dwells within the Believer
Governing Principle
Law
Grace through Faith
Obedience
Weak Through the Flesh (Rom. 8:3)
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Position
Servants of Jehovah
Members of the Household of God

7. Israel
The Church
Priesthood
Had a Priesthood
Is a Priesthood
Marriage
Untrue but Restored Wife of Jehovah
Espoused Bride of Christ
Ethnicity
Entirely Jewish
Neither Jew nor Gentile (Eph. 2:14-16)
Judgement
Come Under the Rod in the Wilderness (Ezek. 20:33-44)
Judgment Seat of Christ

8. Israel
The Church
Second Coming of Christ
As King
As Bridegroom
Millennial Kingdom
Subjects of the Kingdom
Reigning with Christ

9. The promises of God to Israel were and are literal and are not at any point fulfilled by the Church.
The Church is a new entity in a new dispensation. (Eph. 2:15) Perhaps the greatest evidence of the distinction between Israel and the Church came from the lips of our Lord. (Mat. 16:18) At the time Christ spoke these words Israel already existed. The church was to be future!