Examples of Audience‑Specific Passages

A. Commands to Israel (Not to the Church)

• Dietary laws (Leviticus 11)
• Circumcision as a covenant sign (Genesis 17)
• Temple sacrifices (Leviticus 1–7)
• Civil laws for the nation of Israel

These were binding under the Old Covenant, not the New.

B. Promises to Israel (Not to the Church)

• The land promise (Genesis 15:18)
• National restoration (Ezekiel 37)
• The Davidic throne (2 Samuel 7:12–16)

These promises are literal and future for Israel.

C. Instructions to the Church

• The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20)
• The gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
• Church discipline (Matthew 18:15–17)
• Qualifications for ministry (1 Timothy 3)

These apply directly to believers today.

D. Instructions to Individuals

Some passages are addressed to specific people:

• Joshua (Joshua 1:1–9)
• Timothy (1 & 2 Timothy)
• Titus (Titus 1–3)
• Philemon (Philemon 1)

We learn from them, but they are not all direct commands to us.