The concept of “spiritual Israel” refers to the people of God who belong to Him through faith in Jesus Christ. It is distinct from national, ethnic Israel and includes both Jews and Gentiles who believe in Christ. Here is an overview of 9000 words on what the Bible teaches about spiritual Israel:
1. God’s promises were originally made to national Israel
In the Old Testament, God specifically chose the nation of Israel as His own special people. He made unconditional covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David that included promises of land, blessings, favor, and an everlasting kingdom (Genesis 12:1-3, 15:18-21, 17:19, 2 Samuel 7:12-16). These covenants pointed to the coming Messiah who would reign on David’s throne forever. God’s choice of national Israel was an act of grace, not because they were more righteous than other nations (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). However, Israel was called to faithfully represent God and be a light to the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6).
The promises and covenants were initially made to Old Testament saints and patriarchs and their physical descendants. However, the ultimate fulfillment goes beyond national Israel. Through Jesus, the Messiah, the blessings of the covenants would come to all nations and people who believe (Galatians 3:7-9, 16, 29). This expanding fulfillment points to the spiritual Israel.
2. Jesus is the true seed of Abraham
The New Testament presents Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham. Galatians 3:16 states: “Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, ‘And to offsprings,’ referring to many, but referring to one, ‘And to your offspring,’ who is Christ.” Jesus is the singular seed who fulfills the covenant made with Abraham.
Jesus is the true heir to the promises since He is the Son of God. Matthew 1:1 traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Abraham, but His right to rule comes not through physical descent but His spiritual Sonship. Jesus is the mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6) through whom people of every nation can receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Galatians 3:14). All God’s redemptive purposes now come to fruition in and through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).
3. All in Christ are Abraham’s offspring and heirs
Paul explains that if people belong to Christ through faith, then they are “Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:29). Believers in Jesus share in the inheritance as “children of Abraham” not by physical birth but through spiritual new birth. What was promised to Abraham is fulfilled in a spiritual sense by all those who share Abraham’s faith in the Messiah. This shows continuity from the Old Testament people of God to the New Testament people of God.
Physical descent does not determine who receives the promises. John the Baptist warned ethnic Jews not to presume upon their spiritual standing simply because of Abrahamic descent (Matthew 3:7-10). True children of Abraham are those who share the faith of Abraham, whether Jew or Gentile (Romans 4:11-12, 16-17). All barriers have now been removed in Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22). The promises are received through faith union with Jesus Christ.
4. The church is the new Israel of God
The New Testament frequently applies terms and descriptions of biblical Israel to the newly formed community of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus. For example, Peter refers to the church as “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9), which echoes God’s description of national Israel (Exodus 19:5-6). This transfer of language indicates that the church is true spiritual Israel.
The Apostle Paul explicitly calls the church the “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). All those who walk by the rule of the new creation in Christ are part of this new Israel. This does not negate God’s promises to ethnic Israel (Romans 11:29) but shows that the promises find their “yes” and fulfillment in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). All believers in Jesus constitute the true promised land, temple, and people of God.
5. Gentile believers are grafted into Israel
Paul uses the metaphor of an olive tree to describe how Gentiles are incorporated into the people of God. The patriarchs and prophets represent the original olive tree. Branches of unbelieving Jews have been broken off the tree. Gentile believers have been grafted in and now share the rich root of the olive tree (Romans 11:11-24). Gentiles have been joined to the historic people of God along with the remnant of believing Jews.
This ingrafting expands the people of God beyond national Israel to include people from all nations. All who trust in Jesus are connected to the promises made to Israel so that “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-26). Through their faith union with Christ, Gentile believers become part of the tree that represents God’s people, which Paul calls “Israel.”
6. Not all ethnic Israelites are true Israelites
Paul recognizes an important distinction within national Israel between ethnic Jews and true spiritual Jews. He writes: “For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel…” (Romans 9:6). In other words, even within the nation of Israel, there is an Israel within Israel – those who have genuine faith in God.
John the Baptist warned the religious leaders not to assume their ethnic identity secured their standing before God (Matthew 3:7-10). Physical descent from Abraham does not guarantee enjoying the blessings of the covenant. True membership among God’s people comes through faith in Jesus Christ, whether Jew or Gentile.
7. Faith and the Holy Spirit identify the true Israel
Since physical pedigree does not determine whether one is part of spiritual Israel, what matters instead is faith in Jesus Christ and the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. As Paul states, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).
The true people of God are those who exhibit faith in Christ and whose lives demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This sincere faith and the Spirit’s transforming work constitute the marks of belonging to spiritual Israel.
8. Old Testament anticipates the enlargement of God’s people
While God’s promises were made specifically to national Israel in the Old Testament, there are hints of an expanded people of God including Gentiles. Certain psalms envision “all nations” worshiping the Lord (Psalm 22:27, 66:4). Isaiah speaks of Egypt and Assyria being called “my people” along with Israel (Isaiah 19:25). Jeremiah prophesies that all nations will gather to the Lord (Jeremiah 3:17).
These prophetic anticipations find their greater fulfillment in the creation of spiritual Israel comprised of Jews and Gentiles together. The Old Testamenttrajectory moves toward an enlarged, multi-ethnic people of God unified in worship of the one true God.
9. Spiritual Israel is the unified body joined to Christ
Spiritual Israel transcends ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status. All true believers are baptized by one Spirit into one body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). As Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).
This new community finds its identity not in external features but their shared connection to Jesus Christ. He has torn down all dividing walls andObstacle216 made this diverse body “no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people” (Ephesians 2:14, 19). Spiritual Israel is God’s newly created people, vitally joined together in Christ.
10. Spiritual Israel is eternal and indestructible
While national Israel was susceptible to invasion, exile, and corruption, spiritual Israel has an everlasting permanence. Daniel prophesies about a final kingdom established by “one like a son of man” which will not pass away but will last forever (Daniel 7:13-14). This eternal, indestructible kingdom comes to pass in Jesus Christ.
Jesus promises to build His church in such a way that not even death will overcome it (Matthew 16:18). The writer of Hebrews describes the unshakable kingdom believers inherit (Hebrews 12:28). Because spiritual Israel is united with the eternal Son of God, it shares in His invincibility and will never be destroyed.
Summary
In summary, spiritual Israel refers to all people who belong to God through faith in Jesus Christ, whether Jew or Gentile. While God originally established His redemptive purposes through national Israel, the New Testament reveals an enlarged people of God. Jesus Christ fulfills the promises as the true seed of Abraham. All who are united to Christ by faith are part of spiritual Israel, God’s new covenant people. This Israel will endure forever as the indestructible, multi-ethnic body of Christ.