Romans 11:1-6 The Remnant of Israel

I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”[a]? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”[b] 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

Many people wrongfully think that God has set aside Israel in favor of the church.  Just as the prophets were killed in their zeal to be God's spokesmen, God reserves a remnant of Israelites to fulfill His promises to them.  Salvation has always been in the promise of a Redeemer.  Greater Israel rejected the Crucified Christ, but a remnant have believed in the One True God and it is to them that salvation comes.  Judaism has disrupted belief in the promise by substituting good works for atonement.