The Book of Acts isn't just for Dispensationalists!!!

[mkgal1]

Well, Acts 7 is where Israel is literally condemned and the Fig Tree is officially cursed. The narrative is clear.

I think the fig tree and the olive tree are two different illustrations.

Also....there's a distinction, in my mind, between "believing Israel" and "disbelieving Israel". "Israel" itself means "People of God" (and this is the period in history - the time of Acts - where the "true" remained and the "untrue" were cut away).

Christ Incarnating was the beginning of Israel getting cut off. By killing the TESTATOR, Israel "Widowed" itself, and Fulfilled the Covenant they had been given.

The key is to find the blood of the Land tainted by murder in the Law.

In the Torah, it lists specific verbiage about murder and "the curse". Are you following so far? I know we view this differently, but is the scripture coming to your mind as you're reading?

The Sinai Covenant was broken - for sure - due to the death of the Testator (I agree) - but I don't agree with the idea that ALL of Israel was cut off (because - as I've said - "Israel" = People of God.....and that is what God was forming.....a TRUE and faithful people to be His light). His Jewish followers were faithful. The disciples were faithful and true. The 3,000 who joined and believed on the day of Pentecost were faithful and true. His early church were faithful.....true....and JEWISH.

But, yes, I agree - the curse of the Sinai covenant applied to those that were NOT faithful. That was the sorrow Jesus expressed when He entered Jerusalem (He knew what was about to come in that generation).

 

[mkgal1]

Pre DBR

???

 

[Grip Docility]

I think the fig tree and the olive tree are two different illustrations.

Also....there's a distinction, in my mind, between "believing Israel" and "disbelieving Israel". "Israel" itself means "People of God" (and this is the period in history - the time of Acts - where the "true" remained and the "untrue" were cut away).


The Sinai Covenant was broken - for sure - due to the death of the Testator (I agree) - but I don't agree with the idea that ALL of Israel was cut off (because - as I've said - "Israel" = People of God.....and that is what God was forming.....a TRUE and faithful people to be His light). His Jewish followers were faithful. The disciples were faithful and true. The 3,000 who joined and believed on the day of Pentecost were faithful and true. His early church were faithful.....true....and JEWISH.

But, yes, I agree - the curse of the Sinai covenant applied to those that were NOT faithful. That was the sorrow Jesus expressed when He entered Jerusalem (He knew what was about to come in that generation).

Now this is interesting!

You note the 3 distinct Groups! I do too!

I'm actually in agreement with you. So here's the zinger... please forgive me. Israel is cutoff by namesake, through the Testator's death. The Resurrected Christ is the NEW man of Ephesians 2. I know you disagree with this most likely... But when Paul is utilizing the Olive Tree in the analogy for the New Man, I believe it is to symbolize the Jewish Roots of the NEW MAN.

Paul is now within the time that the BOC is in full swing by "Romans" and he uses the Olive Tree as the analogy of Christ (The John 15 vine of the matter).... but my hypothisis, is that the NEW 'BODY of the New Man is Forged at Pentecost. This is where Acts 2 starts.

What I'm saying is that wonky ideas that the BOC doesn't start until Paul are too counter to scripture.

What I'm also saying is that the NEW BODY starts with Israel. We see Jesus came for Israel, Pre DBR, and post Pentecost, continues to attempt to push Israel forward into immediate salvation through Jesus' Apostles. But, when Acts 7 occurs... Israel completely Rejects Christ, despite His Resurrection and ascension. This is where the "Breaking Off" begins. As in ELECT Israel was counted in the Resurrected Christ, up until the "Partial Hardening" occurred.

This is how the NEW MAN is already counting Israel within the BOC, instead of saying the BOC is in Israel.

Israel is ultimately swallowed up into the NEW MAN, as all are hoped to be, by God Himself. (1 John 2:2)

This is a rapid summary.

I'm not so much asking if you agree, but if you can follow my logic in the simplest sense of being able to clearly communicate this hypothesis.

 

[ViaCrucis]

This is my point... In the Gospels, Pre DBR, Jesus and the 12 are Jews. Christians are not under the Torah.

The Twelve never ceased to be Jews. But that doesn't mean they weren't Christians. They were Christians because they were followers of the Christ. Literally, they actually sat at His feet, heard Him speak. The first Christian, in fact, was the Lord's own mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. She became the first Christian when she said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38), and again we see her faith in her own Son when at the wedding in Cana she says, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:5).

The completion, the fulfilling, the end-purpose of the Law and Prophets is Jesus Christ and all which He had done. With His Passion and Victory He secured a new covenant. That did not stop His followers from being Jews, Jews are still Jews, even as Gentiles are still Gentiles. The realization by the apostles that the Gentiles were supposed to be included in the Gospel mission does not exclude the Jews, it is as Paul says: the Gentiles are grafted in. Gentiles are Christians because they have been joined to Israel through faith in God's Messiah. In the New Covenant circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, for both Jew and Gentiles are the one new people in Jesus.

Christianity is not "a new religion" as though Christ came to create something new free and independent of what came before, such an idea is Marcionism, which is heresy. Christianity is what happens when the religion, the promises, the covenants, all of God's work since Abraham reaches its intended purpose: Jesus the Messiah. This was the point from the beginning, it was always God's purpose, always God's design. For we can go all the way back to Eden, where God says, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15). For the Son of the woman has crushed that old snake, defeating him.

Christos ho Niketes!
Christ the Victor!

-CryptoLutheran

 

[mkgal1]

Does it?

Israel is cut off, close to the very point in Acts that you cited.

Dave had posted this:

Acts 7:38 ~ "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:”

So, to say that "Israel is cut off close to this very point in Acts" would mean that most of the early church would have been cut off. Why would God remove His faithful followers? ​

 

[Grip Docility]

Dave had posted this:

Acts 7:38 ~ "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:”

So, to say that "Israel is cut off close to this very point in Acts" would mean that most of the early church would have been cut off. Why would God remove His faithful followers? ​

The context of Acts 7 isn't Church to Church, but BOC witnessing to Israel.

The very nature of the text is that Israel rejects Steven and Stones him. Do you disagree?

 

[mkgal1]

The very nature of the text is that Israel rejects Steven and Stones him. Do you disagree?

You're conflating groups.

Stephen was part of the Israel of God.

Until 49 A.D. - when it was decided at the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem - Gentile believers were first having to become Jews (although I am not sure what that actually entailed) before they were considered part of the Early Church.

It was the protectors of the Temple - the idolaters, the Sanhedrin - that "gnashed their teeth" and murdered Stephen. That group has nothing to do with the People of God - the true Israel.

About the Apostle Stephen: St. Stephen was a Jew living in the Hellenic provinces, related to the Apostle Paul and one of the first seven deacons ordained by the Apostles to serve the Church in Jerusalem (thus making him an archdeacon). ~ Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr - OrthodoxWiki

 

[Grip Docility]

The Twelve never ceased to be Jews. But that doesn't mean they weren't Christians. They were Christians because they were followers of the Christ. Literally, they actually sat at His feet, heard Him speak. The first Christian, in fact, was the Lord's own mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. She became the first Christian when she said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38), and again we see her faith in her own Son when at the wedding in Cana she says, "Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:5).

The completion, the fulfilling, the end-purpose of the Law and Prophets is Jesus Christ and all which He had done. With His Passion and Victory He secured a new covenant. That did not stop His followers from being Jews, Jews are still Jews, even as Gentiles are still Gentiles. The realization by the apostles that the Gentiles were supposed to be included in the Gospel mission does not exclude the Jews, it is as Paul says: the Gentiles are grafted in. Gentiles are Christians because they have been joined to Israel through faith in God's Messiah. In the New Covenant circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, for both Jew and Gentiles are the one new people in Jesus.

Christianity is not "a new religion" as though Christ came to create something new free and independent of what came before, such an idea is Marcionism, which is heresy. Christianity is what happens when the religion, the promises, the covenants, all of God's work since Abraham reaches its intended purpose: Jesus the Messiah. This was the point from the beginning, it was always God's purpose, always God's design. For we can go all the way back to Eden, where God says, "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15). For the Son of the woman has crushed that old snake, defeating him.

Christos ho Niketes!
Christ the Victor!

-CryptoLutheran

They became Christians, At Pentecost.

They were no longer Jews, after Paul. Peter and Paul had a heated argument that was discussed in Galatians... No?

Were they not under the Law, while they were Pre-DBR? Religiously speeking... They didn't become Christians until Post Pentecost.

 

[Grip Docility]

You're conflating groups.

Stephen was part of the Israel of God.

Until 49 A.D. - when it was decided at the Apostolic Council of Jerusalem - Gentile believers were first having to become Jews (although I am not sure what that actually entailed) before they were considered part of the Early Church.

It was the protectors of the Temple - the idolaters, the Sanhedrin - that "gnashed their teeth" and murdered Stephen. That group has nothing to do with the People of God - the true Israel.

About the Apostle Stephen: St. Stephen was a Jew living in the Hellenic provinces, related to the Apostle Paul and one of the first seven deacons ordained by the Apostles to serve the Church in Jerusalem (thus making him an archdeacon). ~ Apostle Stephen the Protomartyr - OrthodoxWiki

The TRUE ISRAEL verbiage that you are using hinges on 3 kai's. Galatians 6:16 isn't an acceptable proof. Even the house translation shows this.

 

[mkgal1]

@GripDocility ~ this article may be of interest to you. It describes the different groups within Jerusalem at the time and the competing agendas:

Quoting from That the World May Know article:
The Seeds of Revolt

The Seeds
After the Romans began their occupation of Judea in 64 BC, the Jews became divided on how to respond.

The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, believed the Messiah would come from the Jewish people and make Israel a great, free nation. They condemned Rome's access and viewed Romans as oppressors punishing God's people for their unfaithfulness to the Torah.

The Sadducees and secular leaders decided to cooperate with the Romans, who gave them various special privileges (John 11:49-50).

The Zealots proclaimed revolution to be God's solution to Roman oppression (Acts 5:37).

The Essenes waited for the Messiah to lead a violent overthrow of the Romans and their Jewish supporters, while the Herodions (nonreligious Jews who supported Herod) were completely satisfied with Herod's dynasty (Matt. 22:16).

The Sparks
The Jews were motivated to revolt by a number of different factors. After Herod Agrippa I died, the Romans appointed a series of increasingly cruel, corrupt governors to rule over the Jews, causing confusion, hatred, and division.

The paganism of Rome's culture offended the Jews, and the Jewish priests, who became more dependent on Roman security and support, became more corrupt. Priests and their followers also began fighting each other in the streets.

During feast days, especially Passover, nationalistic tensions escalated, causing Rome to increase its military presence. Wanting to serve God in their own way, the Jews longed for freedom.

Although Jesus warned his followers not to participate in military methods of bringing his kingdom, some Jewish people decided to seek out salvation through political and military might. Their actions brought about the Jewish Revolts and ultimately led to their destruction. ~ The Seeds of Revolt​

 

[Grip Docility]

@GripDocility ~ this article may be of interest to you. It describes the different groups within Jerusalem at the time and the competing agendas:

Quoting from That the World May Know article:
The Seeds of Revolt

The Seeds
After the Romans began their occupation of Judea in 64 BC, the Jews became divided on how to respond.

The religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees, believed the Messiah would come from the Jewish people and make Israel a great, free nation. They condemned Rome's access and viewed Romans as oppressors punishing God's people for their unfaithfulness to the Torah.

The Sadducees and secular leaders decided to cooperate with the Romans, who gave them various special privileges (John 11:49-50).

The Zealots proclaimed revolution to be God's solution to Roman oppression (Acts 5:37).

The Essenes waited for the Messiah to lead a violent overthrow of the Romans and their Jewish supporters, while the Herodions (nonreligious Jews who supported Herod) were completely satisfied with Herod's dynasty (Matt. 22:16).

The Sparks
The Jews were motivated to revolt by a number of different factors. After Herod Agrippa I died, the Romans appointed a series of increasingly cruel, corrupt governors to rule over the Jews, causing confusion, hatred, and division.

The paganism of Rome's culture offended the Jews, and the Jewish priests, who became more dependent on Roman security and support, became more corrupt. Priests and their followers also began fighting each other in the streets.

During feast days, especially Passover, nationalistic tensions escalated, causing Rome to increase its military presence. Wanting to serve God in their own way, the Jews longed for freedom.

Although Jesus warned his followers not to participate in military methods of bringing his kingdom, some Jewish people decided to seek out salvation through political and military might. Their actions brought about the Jewish Revolts and ultimately led to their destruction. ~ The Seeds of Revolt​

I appreciate this!

 

[mkgal1]

The TRUE ISRAEL verbiage that you are using hinges on 3 kai's. Galatians 6:16 isn't an acceptable proof. Even the house translation shows this.

The "house translation"? What's that?

 

[Grip Docility]

The "house translation"? What's that?

The actual linked translation on the site, favors the separation of the BOC and the Israel of God. As you laid out the 3 groups initially.

Galatians 6:16

The BOC
Israel within the BOC
Israel Cutoff.

I won't be slippery like that... you didn't specify "Within the BOC"... but being bull headed... I did.

 

[mkgal1]

They became Christians, At Pentecost.

They were no longer Jews, after Paul. Peter and Paul had a heated argument that was discussed in Galatians... No?

Were they not under the Law, while they were Pre-DBR? Religiously speeking... They didn't become Christians until Post Pentecost.

It wasn't that clean of a transition, though. And....if it weren't for politicians, I don't think there would have ever been a name change from Jew to Christian.

There was no such language at Pentecost ("Christians"). As ViaCrucis explained so well, Jesus didn't come to begin a new religion. He was fulfilling the Jewish faith and what the prophets had spoken.

Peter and Paul (and the councils following) did debate what was to set them apart (and it was agreed....around 15 years later, IIRC, that meat from sacrifices was to not be consumed, no blood should be consumed, and the prohibition on idolatry and fornication remained - which IS all straight from the Law....it's just that following that wasn't their basis of their salvation).

 

[mkgal1]

The actual linked translation on the site, favors the separation of the BOC and the Israel of God. As you laid out the 3 groups initially.

Galatians 6:16

The BOC
Israel within the BOC
Israel Cutoff.

I won't be slippery like that... you didn't specify "Within the BOC"... but being bull headed... I did.

Right - I didn't really lay it out like that. And the site here doesn't seem to "favor" a separation between the BOC and the Israel of God - it is that, I believe, you are imposing that on the text. You see a separation in this between believers? I only see ONE group of believers throughout the NT (comprised of Jews and Gentiles later on - still one unified group).

Gal 6:16 ~ And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace [be] upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.​

 

[Grip Docility]

It wasn't that clean of a transition, though. And....if it weren't for politicians, I don't think there would have ever been a name change from Jew to Christian.

There was no such language at Pentecost ("Christians"). As ViaCrucis explained so well, Jesus didn't come to begin a new religion. He was fulfilling the Jewish faith and what the prophets had spoken.

Peter and Paul (and the councils following) did debate what was to set them apart (and it was agreed....around 15 years later, IIRC, that meat from sacrifices was to not be consumed - which IS straight from the Law....it's just that following that wasn't their basis of their salvation).

This is precise. Acts 11:26 is where we first see the word Christian!

I Love your historical passion! Thank you for being part of this. I acknowledge the discussion is about non essential doctrine and want you to know I really am appreciative.

Disagree... on the end conclusion of it all? We may.

Does that take away from the joy of the sharing?

In no way!

 

[mkgal1]

This is precise. Acts 11:26 is where we first see the word Christian!

I Love your historical passion! Thank you for being part of this. I acknowledge the discussion is about non essential doctrine and want you to know I really am appreciative.

Thank you for saying that. A timeline of events really has helped me to begin to get things straight in my mind - more like a story. The book of the Acts of the Apostles spans quite a long period of time. I'm still piecing together the years. Stephen was stoned to death around 34 A.D. (IIRC) and the Council of Jerusalem that's chronicled in Acts 15 is around 50 A.D.

 

[Grip Docility]

Right - I didn't really lay it out like that. And the site here doesn't seem to "favor" a separation between the BOC and the Israel of God - it is that, I believe, you are imposing that on the text. You see a separation in this between believers? I only see ONE group of believers throughout the NT (comprised of Jews and Gentiles later on - still one unified group).

Gal 6:16 ~ And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace [be] upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.​

The Israel of God is distinguished, from the Gentiles, in the verse... to me...

The Israel of God, is the BOC... to you.

Worth fuss, fight, huffing and puffing over between two believers having a blast discussing Early Church matters that are sealed (Ephesians 1:13). Naaaaaaaaaa

Tomato, Tomoto

But the And is one of the 3 possible Kai conclusions... hence the alternative distinguishes it as “and the Israel of God”... as in distinguished among, but not collective to all.

Meh... I’m having too much fun to sulk that you won’t see it “my” way.

 

[mkgal1]

The Israel of God is distinguished, from the Gentiles, in the verse... to me...

I don't believe it should be. The Greeks in Asia Minor (where the 7 churches were) identified as the "Israel of God" from the beginning.

Quoting from linked article:
THE "CHOSEN" PEOPLE OF GOD: AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

I was recently asked what is the Orthodox Christian perspective regarding the Jewish people as God's "chosen people"?

The theological concept of the "people of God" in Orthodox Christian perspective is highly dependent on the biblical understanding of God's covenant with the people of Israel and the Christian self-understanding as the new Israel.

In the Holy Scripture we read:

"And the Lord has declared this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all his Commands. He has declared that He will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations He has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as He promised" (Deut. 26:18-19).

And in another place it is stated that:

"Yet the Lord set His affection on your ancestors and loved them, and He chose you, their descendants, above all the nations--as it is today" (Deut. 10:15).

This is the basis of the Scriptural understanding of God's people where they are set apart to worship God, to obey God's Commandments, and to proclaim God's Truth to the whole world. The Holy Scripture do not intend to promote a racist view of the people of God, but, rather, to draw attention to the universal mission of Israel as the people called by God to bring into the world the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God chose Israel as God's people not for special favor and glorification but to bring God's Light to the "nations," to be the divine messenger and witness to all the peoples of the world. The Christians looked on the people of God as Jesus' disciples, a universal community that was not distinguished according to race or nationality or class or sex, as explicitly stated in the letters of Saint Paul:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (St. John1:12).

The term "holy people of God" designates the Church, open to all and transcending all barriers between Jews and gentiles. (Romans 15:25-31; I Cor. 16:1)

The Church is the Israel of God, "not a new Israel, but the one and only people of God, Israel in a new face of history, namely, that of Jesus." The Church is all encompassing and provides Divine revelation and salvation to all people and races. One interpreter of Saint Paul makes the point that; "In Jesus there is a new universalism, not a bare transposition from Israel to the Church." Children of God are "all who received Him (Christ), Who believed in His name." (St. John 1:12). "It is faith, this total adherence to the person of Christ, as revealed and expressed through His Name, that makes of us 'children of God'.

The term "people of God" in the Orthodox Church is understood as the members of the body of Christ (the Church), the "Israel of God," the "saints," the "elect," the "chosen race," and the "royal priesthood". In the New Testament, as understood by Orthodox Christians, the "people of God" is the Church as the body of Christ. In the First Epistle (Letter) of Saint Peter it is clearly stated that: "At one time you were not God's people, but now you are His people." The Church is "God's holy people," the baptized participating in God's realm, as manifested in the divine Eucharistic Liturgy.

The Church Holy Fathers generally accepted the Old Testament as a precursor to the coming of Christ. The Epistle of Barnabas refers to the circumcision not as a physical mark of the chosen people but as that of the "circumcision of the ears," that is, to hear God's word and keep it. And these are a "type" of Jesus and the Church. The sacrifices of the Old Testament serve as a prefiguration of the Good News and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The acts performed in the Old Testament all point to Christ.

The covenant, the bond of God made with Israel on Mount Sinai is fulfilled on Golgotha (Calvary), sealed with the blood of Christ as Savior of the world. This Orthodox view of the people of God is based on reiterations of Holy Scripture referring to these believers as "people of God," "chosen race," "a peculiar people" (St. Titus 2:14), and as "Christian people" (St. John Damascene). These terms refer to the mystical body that is inspired by the Holy Spirit and governed by the Divine Head, which is Christ.

The following statement provides an understanding of the call and uniqueness of the people of God that, as an Orthodox Catholic Christian, one can assert:

"In a broken world God calls the whole of humanity to become God's people. For this purpose God chose Israel and then spoke in a unique and decisive way in Jesus Christ, God's Son. Jesus made His own the nature, condition and cause of the whole human race, giving Himself as a sacrifice for all. Jesus' life of service, His death and Resurrection, are the foundation of a new community, which is built up continually by the Good News of the Gospel and the gifts of the sacraments. The Holy Spirit unites in a single body those who follow Jesus Christ and sends them as witnesses into the world. Belonging to the Church means living in communion with God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit."

The Orthodox Church makes a clear claim that the baptized are the people of God. All baptized believers in Christ who receive the Holy Spirit are "sons and daughters of God" and "Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29) in the covenant members' relationship to the Lord, for in the "New creation" all believers are "one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). ~ The "Chosen" People of God: An Orthodox Perspective

 

[Grip Docility]

I don't believe it should be. The Greeks in Asia Minor (where the 7 churches were) identified as the "Israel of God" from the beginning.

Quoting from linked article:
THE "CHOSEN" PEOPLE OF GOD: AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

I was recently asked what is the Orthodox Christian perspective regarding the Jewish people as God's "chosen people"?

The theological concept of the "people of God" in Orthodox Christian perspective is highly dependent on the biblical understanding of God's covenant with the people of Israel and the Christian self-understanding as the new Israel.

In the Holy Scripture we read:

"And the Lord has declared this day that you are His people, His treasured possession as He promised, and that you are to keep all his Commands. He has declared that He will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations He has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as He promised" (Deut. 26:18-19).

And in another place it is stated that:

"Yet the Lord set His affection on your ancestors and loved them, and He chose you, their descendants, above all the nations--as it is today" (Deut. 10:15).

This is the basis of the Scriptural understanding of God's people where they are set apart to worship God, to obey God's Commandments, and to proclaim God's Truth to the whole world. The Holy Scripture do not intend to promote a racist view of the people of God, but, rather, to draw attention to the universal mission of Israel as the people called by God to bring into the world the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God chose Israel as God's people not for special favor and glorification but to bring God's Light to the "nations," to be the divine messenger and witness to all the peoples of the world. The Christians looked on the people of God as Jesus' disciples, a universal community that was not distinguished according to race or nationality or class or sex, as explicitly stated in the letters of Saint Paul:

"There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (St. John1:12).

The term "holy people of God" designates the Church, open to all and transcending all barriers between Jews and gentiles. (Romans 15:25-31; I Cor. 16:1)

The Church is the Israel of God, "not a new Israel, but the one and only people of God, Israel in a new face of history, namely, that of Jesus." The Church is all encompassing and provides Divine revelation and salvation to all people and races. One interpreter of Saint Paul makes the point that; "In Jesus there is a new universalism, not a bare transposition from Israel to the Church." Children of God are "all who received Him (Christ), Who believed in His name." (St. John 1:12). "It is faith, this total adherence to the person of Christ, as revealed and expressed through His Name, that makes of us 'children of God'.

The term "people of God" in the Orthodox Church is understood as the members of the body of Christ (the Church), the "Israel of God," the "saints," the "elect," the "chosen race," and the "royal priesthood". In the New Testament, as understood by Orthodox Christians, the "people of God" is the Church as the body of Christ. In the First Epistle (Letter) of Saint Peter it is clearly stated that: "At one time you were not God's people, but now you are His people." The Church is "God's holy people," the baptized participating in God's realm, as manifested in the divine Eucharistic Liturgy.

The Church Holy Fathers generally accepted the Old Testament as a precursor to the coming of Christ. The Epistle of Barnabas refers to the circumcision not as a physical mark of the chosen people but as that of the "circumcision of the ears," that is, to hear God's word and keep it. And these are a "type" of Jesus and the Church. The sacrifices of the Old Testament serve as a prefiguration of the Good News and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The acts performed in the Old Testament all point to Christ.

The covenant, the bond of God made with Israel on Mount Sinai is fulfilled on Golgotha (Calvary), sealed with the blood of Christ as Savior of the world. This Orthodox view of the people of God is based on reiterations of Holy Scripture referring to these believers as "people of God," "chosen race," "a peculiar people" (St. Titus 2:14), and as "Christian people" (St. John Damascene). These terms refer to the mystical body that is inspired by the Holy Spirit and governed by the Divine Head, which is Christ.

The following statement provides an understanding of the call and uniqueness of the people of God that, as an Orthodox Catholic Christian, one can assert:

"In a broken world God calls the whole of humanity to become God's people. For this purpose God chose Israel and then spoke in a unique and decisive way in Jesus Christ, God's Son. Jesus made His own the nature, condition and cause of the whole human race, giving Himself as a sacrifice for all. Jesus' life of service, His death and Resurrection, are the foundation of a new community, which is built up continually by the Good News of the Gospel and the gifts of the sacraments. The Holy Spirit unites in a single body those who follow Jesus Christ and sends them as witnesses into the world. Belonging to the Church means living in communion with God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit."

The Orthodox Church makes a clear claim that the baptized are the people of God. All baptized believers in Christ who receive the Holy Spirit are "sons and daughters of God" and "Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29) in the covenant members' relationship to the Lord, for in the "New creation" all believers are "one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28). ~ The "Chosen" People of God: An Orthodox Perspective

My quick counter argument is to call it Israel, but note Jew nor Gentile is part of the BOC mantra... affirms it is a New Creation. The New Creation aspect of Ephesians 2 and the very vine dying and resurrecting has deep symbolism to me for Literal Israel. I could go on...

I have deeper counter argument. But, instead of playing the brick wall, today...

I’ll graciously point out that your argument is equally organized and I can see how you arrive to your conclusion.