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#Israel is #Christianity. 1. Old Israel (Israel according to the flesh) The physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (the #Jewish people). The nation #God chose in the Old Testament to be His covenant people, through whom He would bring the #Messiah. This Israel received the Law, the Prophets, the Temple, and the promises. 2. New Israel (Israel according to the Spirit) — The #Church This is the primary Orthodox understanding today: The true Israel is the Church — all who are in #Christ by faith and baptism. The promises made to Abraham are fulfilled in #Jesus Christ and extended to everyone (#Jew and #Gentile) who believes in Him. The Church is the continuation and fulfillment of Old Testament Israel. Key Biblical & Patristic Support: Galatians 6:16 – Paul calls the Church “the Israel of God.” Romans 9:6-8 – “Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel… It is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise.” Ephesians 2:11-22 – Gentiles are no longer strangers but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. 1 Peter 2:9-10 – The Church is called “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” — titles once given to Old Israel. St. Justin Martyr (2nd century) and many early Fathers taught that the Church is the true spiritual Israel. St. John Chrysostom and others emphasized that the Church has inherited the promises because Christ is the true Seed of Abraham. Summary (Orthodox View): Ethnic/national Israel had a special role in salvation history. The Church is the New Israel — the fulfillment of God’s plan. Being part of “Israel” today is not about bloodline, but about being united to Christ through faith, baptism, and living in the Church. This is why Orthodox Christians do not see modern ethnic Israel as having a special theological status apart from the Church. The Church is the continuation of God’s covenant people. Are the Jews Today Still God's Chosen People? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYCfQ_l33wI&t=3s

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