The Church didn't begin on the Day of Pentecost. That's a widely held assumption — and it creates enormous confusion about what the Church actually is, why Israel matters, and how the Old Testament relates to the New. Scripture makes clear that God has always had a called-out people, a congregation, an ekklesia — long before Jesus walked the earth.

Last time we examined the Dispensation of Law and why the Law's purpose was always to lead to Christ. Now we look at the people through whom that Law was given and preserved: the Old Testament assembly — the church that existed before the Church.

Before we dive into what the Old Testament Church actually is, let's clear away some common misconceptions. Understanding what it's not will help us grasp what it truly is.

1. It is not the New Testament Church of this Age of Grace Matthew 16:18.

2. It is not the Gentiles of any or all past ages.

3. It is not the Jews who will become heavenly, glorified saints (Heb. 11).

4. It is not the kingdom of Heaven Matthew 3:2Matthew 4:17.

5. It is not the kingdom of God Matthew 21:43.

II. What the Old Testament Church Is

The Old Testament Church was made up of living Jews and proselytes during the Old Testament period. The nation of Israel is actually called "the Church in the wilderness" Acts 7:38.

Now, you might be surprised to see the word "church" used for Israel. The Greek word in this passage is ekklesia — the exact same word used for the New Testament Church.

It means "assembly," "a popular meeting," or "political gathering" — especially a religious congregation of people called out from the mass of humanity. Think of it like this: if you were called out of a crowded stadium to join a special group with a unique purpose, you'd be part of an ekklesia.

The word comes from two Greek roots: ek meaning "from" or "out of," and kaleo meaning "to call." In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), it's used for the Hebrew kahal, from which we get our word "call."

This word appears 114 times in the New Testament — eighty times in the singular and thirty-four times in the plural. It's translated "assembly" Acts 19:32, 39, 41; "church" (Matthew 16:18; 18:17; Acts 2:47; 5:11; 7:38; 8:1, 3; 11:22, 26; 12:1, 5; 13:1; 14:23, 27; 15:3, 4, 22; 18:22; 20:17, 28; Romans 16:1, 5-23; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 4:17; 6:4; 10:32; 11:18, 22; 12:28; 14:4, 5, 12, 19, 23, 28, 35; 15:9; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:13; Ephesians 1:22; 3:10, 21; 5:23-32; Philippians 3:6; 4:15; Colossians 1:18, 24; 4:15-16; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:5, 15; 5:16; Phm. 2; Hebrews 2:12; 12:23; James 5:14; 1 Peter 5:13; 3 Jn. 6, 9-10; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14); and "churches" (Acts 9:31; 15:41; 16:5; 19:37; Romans 16:4, 16; 1 Corinthians 7:17; 11:16; 14:33-34; 16:1, 19; 2 Corinthians 8:1, 18-19, 23-24; 11:8, 28; 12:13; Galatians 1:2, 22; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:14; Revelation 1:4, 11, 20; 2:7, 11, 17, 23, 29; 3:6; 22:16).

Israel was a "called-out" nation in Old Testament times, just as Christians today are a "called-out" people from the world. Israel was supposed to be separate from the world and wholly given over to serving God and evangelizing the nations Genesis 12:1-3.

Here's an important distinction: their calling was earthly, but the present Church's calling is heavenly. Israel was governed by natural laws and ruled by earthly men who were accountable to God for their leadership. They were promised an everlasting possession of the land.

They had the covenants, the promises, the callings, and the service of God — and they were supposed to bring the knowledge of God to all nations Romans 2:17-29Romans 9:4-7Romans 11:25-29.

Sadly, Israel failed in every century from her calling to the present day. God sent prophets and teachers time after time, urging them to fulfill their calling, but they rebelled more and more. Eventually, they had to be scattered among the nations.

They won't be fully gathered and made a blessing to all nations until their rejected Messiah returns in glory Matthew 24:29-31Romans 11:25-29Isaiah 11:10-15.

The Old Testament Church was — and will continue to be — the earthly nation of Israel with an earthly calling forever. It was made up of living Jews and proselytes in Old Testament days, and it will be again in the future.

This company has always been made up of living earthly people, and it always will be. Those who have died are no longer members by virtue of their death. They will be resurrected to become part of the heavenly family of God and the bride of Christ Hebrews 13:14Ephesians 3:15Revelation 21:9.