Which single reference is cited with the heading 'The Church Is Israel'?

Which single reference is cited with the heading 'The Church Is Israel'?

• A. Hebrews 12:23
• B. Acts 7:37-38
• C. Romans 11:26
• D. Colossians 3:11

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how the term “church” is used to refer to Israel in historical context. In Stephen’s speech, the phrase “the church in the wilderness” directly ties the church to the Israelite community during the Exodus. Acts 7:38 says that Moses “was in the church in the wilderness” with the angel and with the fathers, which makes the connection explicit: the people who form the church in that wilderness period are the Israelites. The other references don’t establish that specific link. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of the general heavenly assembly and church of the firstborn, not the wilderness-era Israel. Romans 11:26 talks about all Israel being saved, but not the wilderness church identity. Colossians 3:11 emphasizes that in Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, not the historical self-identification of the church with Israel in the wilderness. So the best answer is the reference that literally uses the phrase “the church in the wilderness,” grounding the heading “The Church Is Israel” in that direct connection.

The idea being tested is how the term “church” is used to refer to Israel in historical context. In Stephen’s speech, the phrase “the church in the wilderness” directly ties the church to the Israelite community during the Exodus. Acts 7:38 says that Moses “was in the church in the wilderness” with the angel and with the fathers, which makes the connection explicit: the people who form the church in that wilderness period are the Israelites.

The other references don’t establish that specific link. Hebrews 12:23 speaks of the general heavenly assembly and church of the firstborn, not the wilderness-era Israel. Romans 11:26 talks about all Israel being saved, but not the wilderness church identity. Colossians 3:11 emphasizes that in Christ there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, not the historical self-identification of the church with Israel in the wilderness.

So the best answer is the reference that literally uses the phrase “the church in the wilderness,” grounding the heading “The Church Is Israel” in that direct connection.