Christianity Oasis Forum

[thebakerman]

I'm writing this in the hope that someone might be able to shed some light on an issue thats troubled me for quite some time now. This issue concerns the salvation of the non-Jewish races. Did God originally intend for "Gentiles" to be saved, or as some scriptures seem to suggest, is our salvation merely the means of making God's "chosen people" jealous. Maybe I'm mistaken, but there seems to be a continuous- Gentiles are of secondary importance- theme running through out the bible. For instance, in the book of Romans, when Paul talks about the two trees, one being the olive tree (natural), and the other being the wild tree (unnatural). Rom:Ch 11, Ver 11- here it seems to imply that salvation is being extended only as the result of Israels disobedience and that its purpose is to drive them to envy, not so much to save us, but to punish them. And in Rom: Ch11, Ver 24- Is it not suggesting that our being included in the family of God is some how contrary to nature? All this runs against what I've always felt to be the truth about God. That God looks upon all without discrimination. Are we "Gentiles" saved because God loves us, or are we just an after thought, used by God to achieve some other purpose?

[Mackenaw]

Hello thebakerman

God bless you this day.

Good question -- let me see if I can answer it.

The Gentiles are not an afterthought. God knew us all before the foundations of the earth. It was His plan, from the beginning.

There are many references to The Lord's intentions towards ALL mankind throughout the Bible, but here are a few that I think will help answer your question.

Isaiah 42:6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
Isaiah 42:7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isa 49:6 KJV - And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Isa 51:4 KJV - Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.

Isa 60:2 KJV - For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
Isa 60:3 KJV - And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

God bless and keep you.
In Christ's love,
Sister Mack

[morningrain]

Hi bakerman, i would like to sit here and say some on this but don;t have time at the moment. Many have different beliefs in this subject. Myself i believe. So at the moment i'll just give you something to think on. Many think Jesus was only Jew that is not true, go back into the genology of Jesus. Jesus is the Lion of Judah of the line of Judah. Judah and all the tribes of Israel were born of Gentile women. Ruth the grandmother of King David was Gentile. Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, all the way up to Abraham are all Gentiles. Some believe Abraham is the very first Jew, Some say Jacob is.

Not trying to get off subject, just many miss that very important fact. Paul said.... Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Paul also said, Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Where as there is a huge difference between Jew and gentiles, yet in Christ, He is One Lord, One Shepherd, One Savoir to all. In Him has the middle wall of partition has been broken down in Christ.

Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.

We Gentiles, the wild olive branch is grafted into the Natural Olive tree. We have been adopted by God.

God who is omnipotent for He is Almighty and God is omniscient, He has all knowledge from the very beginning. He knew, and knows. He has planned everything perfectly.

Not everyone may agree with me, but its how i've come to see it.

Hoping this has given you something to think about.

Lord Bless