In this post and the next one, I will attempt to show why replacement theology is in error by showing the distinctiveness of each group—Israel and the church, and why they cannot be merged.

To begin our discussion, let me assert this: the name Israel, as it is referred to in scripture, always means the Jewish people—those who are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the church always means those people who are believers in Christ and the Bride of Christ.  Therefore, what we are affirming is that after the birth of the church at Pentecost, the distinction between these two groups remains intact.  In fact, in the book of Acts, both Israel and the church exist simultaneously.  The term Israel is used twelve times and ekklesia (church) nineteen times, yet the two groups are always kept distinct.”

ISRAEL 

Israel is not only distinguished because of their race—a…