Is it true that Gentile Christians become spiritual Jews and that the Church is spiritual Israel?
Without a doubt, in Jesus, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, just as there is neither male nor female and neither slave nor free (see Galatians 3:28 and Colossians 3:11). And without a doubt, as far as our salvation, Paul wrote, “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:12–13)
At the same time, Christian males are not females and Christian females are not males.
In other words, even though we are equals in the Lord and there is no caste system or class system, our distinctives are not blurred and the categories of male and female still exist.
But is it the same with Jews and Gentiles who follow Jesus? Do the distinctions and categories still exist, even though we are equals in the Lord? Or do Gentiles become spiritual Jews when they become Christians? And, more broadly, does the Church become spiritual Israel?
Both Jews and Gentiles are saved through faith in Jesus the Messiah. And yes, both Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus are equally loved by the Father and have equal standing in the Body. And yes, Gentile Christians become fellow citizens with the people of Israel (Ephesians 2:11-22) and partake in the spiritual riches of the Jewish nation (Romans 11:17-18).
But Jews don’t become Gentiles and Gentiles don’t become Jews.
The Word is clear......
