The Origins and Meaning of the Name ‘Christian Israelite’
Where does the name Christian Israelite originate?
How does it differ from Messianic Jew, Christian Zionism and others?
The name Christian Israelite reflects a prophetic dual heritage: faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah and the covenant promises made to Israel. This identity originates from the prophecy in Isaiah 44:5, which says:
‘One shall say, I am the Lord’s; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel.’
This verse speaks of three groups of people who align themselves with God in distinct ways.
1. ‘One shall say, I am the Lord’s’ – Christians
This first group refers to those who call upon the name of the Lord and are saved, as seen in Romans 10:13: ‘For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ These individuals represent Christians who identify themselves as belonging to the Lord through faith in Jesus Christ. Their salvation begins with calling on the name of the Lord, embracing faith in Him and His saving grace.
2. ‘Another shall call himself by the name of Jacob’ – The Jews and All Descendants of Jacob
The second group refers to those who identify with the patriarch Jacob, later named Israel. This includes the Jewish people, descendants of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, but also includes all twelve tribes of Israel, including the ten ‘lost’ tribes that have been scattered. While ‘Jacob’ today is often associated with the Jewish people, it signifies a broader identity encompassing all of Israel’s descendants.
3. ‘Another shall subscribe with his hand unto the Lord, and surname himself by the name of Israel’ – Christian Israelites
This group is distinguished by two key actions: first, they ‘surname themselves by the name of Israel,’ signifying either Jewish heritage or a calling to be part of the lost tribes of Israel. By taking on the name of Israel, they affirm their identity as members of God’s covenant people and look forward to the fulfillment of prophetic promises made to Israel.
Second, they ‘subscribe with their hand unto the Lord,’ which represents a personal declaration of faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. This commitment to follow Christ aligns them with the teachings of the New Covenant and their connection to Israel’s prophetic destiny through Christ.
A Spiritual Calling for All Tribes of Israel
The Christian Israelite Church teaches that this calling extends beyond those who are traditionally recognised as Jews, the descendants of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. While some members of the Church have Jewish heritage and are believers in Jesus Christ, others come from diverse backgrounds. Many feel a spiritual calling to be part of Israel, recognising themselves as part of the scattered ten tribes of Israel, who lost their identity over time. The Church’s message is directed to all twelve tribes of Israel, and as such, the term ‘Israelite’ is used to reflect this broader calling.
In Biblical history, the twelve tribes of Israel were scattered, with only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin maintaining their identity, often referred to today as Jews. The other ten tribes, commonly referred to as the ‘lost tribes,’ have been scattered among the nations, and their descendants often do not know their Israelite heritage. Christian Israelites believe that God is gathering His people from all the tribes.
How Christian Israelite Differs from Other Names
With the rise of various movements and identities such as Hebrew Christians, Messianic Jews, and Jewish Christians, it’s important to understand how the term Christian Israelite stands apart. While these other groups share a belief in Jesus as the Messiah, the term Christian Israelite reflects a deeper connection to the whole of Israel’s spiritual and prophetic destiny.
1. Hebrew Christians:
are individuals of Jewish descent who have accepted Jesus as the Messiah, while often maintaining aspects of their Jewish heritage. The term has largely been replaced by ‘Messianic Jews’.
2. Messianic Jew:
Messianic Judaism describes a movement where Jews accept Jesus as the Messiah while maintaining elements of traditional Jewish practices, such as keeping the Sabbath and observing Jewish holidays.
3. Jewish Christian:
Historically used to refer to Jewish believers in Jesus as the Messiah in the early Church, today, this term can refer to Jewish believers who identify with Christianity but who may not retain many traditional Jewish practices.
4. British Israelites:
The British Israelite (or Anglo-Israelite) movement teaches that the people of Great Britain (and sometimes other European nations) are descendants of the lost ten tribes of Israel. It has a focus on Anglo-Saxon nations as part of Israel’s prophetic destiny.
5. Christian Zionism:
Christian Zionism is a movement that supports the modern state of Israel as the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. Christian Zionists believe that the restoration of the land Israel is essential to the end times.
6. Christian Israelite:
Unlike other terms, Christian Israelite emphasises both the spiritual and genealogical connection to the twelve tribes of Israel, whether that heritage is known or unknown. Christian Israelites believe that God has a unique calling for the descendants of the twelve tribes, as He has promised to regather them. This identity signifies belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, while also recognising the importance of the covenant promises made to Israel.
Christian Israelites combine the teachings of the law and the gospel, embracing both the Old and New Testaments. As a result, their faith practices include elements from the Old Testament, reflecting the continuity between the law given to Israel and the fulfillment of God’s promises through Christ. This deeper covenant relationship with God acknowledges both the heritage of Israel and salvation through Jesus Christ.
The Biblical and Prophetic Importance of the land of Israel
Christian Israelites view the land of Israel in the Middle East as significant in Biblical history and prophecy. The Bible records God’s covenant with this land, which plays a vital role in the fulfillment of prophecy concerning Israel’s restoration and the return of the Messiah. However, the Christian Israelite mission emphasises the transformation of our earthly bodies rather than engaging in geo-political activities. They interpret the ‘land’ referenced in the Bible as symbolic of human bodies, which are made from the earth and are ‘earthy’ (1 Corinthians 15:47-49). For Christian Israelites, promises about the land point to the sanctification and redemption of the whole person—spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Christian Israelites look forward to the promises of God’s Kingdom, including the redemption of the body, as foretold in passages such as Genesis 2:7 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. Their focus is on the fulfilment of God’s promises through Christ, awaiting the return of the Messiah and the establishment of God’s eternal Kingdom.
The calling of the Church is centred on entering the Kingdom of God through a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. As believers, Christian Israelites seek sanctification and redemption, awaiting the realisation of the new heaven and new earth as prophesied in Isaiah 66:21-22. They anticipate the return of Jesus Christ and the transformation of their earthly bodies, as promised in Genesis 2:7 and 1 Corinthians 15:50-54. While the land of Israel holds historical and prophetic importance, Christian Israelites ultimately focus on the Kingdom of God and the preservation of spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).
Contrasting the Christian Israelite Identity
Other terms, such as Jewish believers in Jesus and Jewish followers of Jesus, describe Jews who accept Jesus as the Messiah. However, Christian Israelites do not emphasise ethnicity or heritage in the same way. Instead, they view themselves as part of the descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel, whom God has promised to regather. This identity reflects the belief that God has a distinct plan and promises for Israel, separate from the promises made to Gentiles (Romans 9:4-5, Jeremiah 31:35-37, Ephesians 3:6, Isaiah 49:6).
Conclusion: Christian Israelite – A Name with Purpose
The name Christian Israelite is more than just a title—it is a declaration of faith in the promises of God, rooted in the prophetic words of Isaiah 44:5. It focuses on the fulfillment of God’s covenant with the entire twelve tribes of Israel through Jesus Christ. Unlike terms such as Messianic Jew, Hebrew Christian, or Jewish Christian, the identity of a Christian Israelite speaks to a connection to Israel’s destiny, both for those with Jewish heritage known and unknown.
Christian Israelites believe they are part of God’s plan to regather the tribes of Israel, fulfilling the prophecies of old and preparing for the return of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. As the Church continues its mission, it invites others to explore this spiritual heritage and the transformative power of Christ and the Holy Ghost.
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