Faith and Theology: Dr. John MacArthur Q&A Day 19 of 21 How were Gentiles brought into the family of God? Historically, the Gentiles (the uncircumcision) experienced two types of alienation. The first was social, resulting from the animosity that had existed between Jews and Gentiles for thousands of years. Jews considered Gentiles to be outcasts, objects of derision and reproach. The second and more significant type of alienation was spiritual, because Gentiles as a people were cut off from God in 5 different ways (Eph. 2.11, 12). 1) they were without Christ, the Messiah, having no Savior and Deliverer and without divine purpose or destiny. 2) They were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Gods chosen people, the Jews, were a nation whose supreme King and Lord was God Himself, and from whose unique blessing and protection they benefitted. 3) Gentiles were strangers from the covenants of promise, not able to partake of Gods divine covenants in which He promised to give His people a land, a priesthood, a people, a nation, a kingdom, and a King-and to those who believe in Him, eternal life and heaven. 4) They had no hope because they had been given no divine promise. 5) They were without God in the world. While Gentiles had many gods, they did not recognize the true God because they did not want Him. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ (v. 13). Far off was a common term in rabbinical writings used to describe Gentiles, those who were apart from the true God (Is. 57.19; Acts 2.39). Every person who trusts in Christ alone for salvation, Jew or Gentile, is brought into spiritual union and intimacy with God. This is the reconciliation of 2 Corinthians 5.18-21. The atoning work accomplished by Christs death on the cross washes away the penalty of sin and ultimately even its presence. He Himself (v. 14). Through His death, Christ abolished Old Testament ceremonial laws, feasts, and sacrifices which uniquely separated Jews from Gentiles. Gods moral law (as summarized in the Ten Commandments and written on the hearts of all men, Rom. 2.15) was not abolished but subsumed in the New Covenant, however, because it reflects His own holy nature (Matt. 5.17-19.) Ephesians 2:13 Ephesians 2:11-12 Isaiah 57:19 Acts 2:39 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 Romans 2:15 Matthew 5:17-19 Ephesians 2:13 HCSB 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion Ephesians 2:11-12 HCSB 11 So then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh — called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. 12 At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion Isaiah 57:19 HCSB 19 creating words of praise.” The Lord says, “Peace, peace to the one who is far or near, and I will heal him. Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion Acts 2:39 HCSB 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 HCSB 18 Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion Romans 2:15 HCSB 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this. Their competing thoughts will either accuse or excuse them Mark this reading as completed on YouVersion Matthew 5:17-19 HCSB 17 “Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Posted on: Sun, 02 Nov 2014 10:37:23 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015