Is Acts 2:38 for Gentiles? - Part 1

Luke 7:29-30 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors
justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. But the
Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not
having been baptized by him.

Same attitude continues today. Many reject God's will for their lives by
refusing baptism. Large numbers have argued that Acts 2:38 means we are
baptized because our sins are already been forgiven.  Others recognize
this is a false argument and come up with a different twist on Acts
2:38. They admit it means what it says, but claim that it applies only
to the Jews. They claim that the conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10
begins a new dispensation where the Gentiles are now accepted by faith
alone.

They are doing what Martin Luther did with James. They have a particular
belief they want to follow no matter what the Bible says. When they come
to a passage that contra dicts what they believe, they say that does not
apply to us today.

Another example of this is the method of some to say that Matt. 19
applies only to the Jews. This is an attempt to get around God's
teaching on Divorce and Remarriage. Matthew 19:4-9 And he answered and
said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the
beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a
man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they
twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one
flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of
divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of
the hard ness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but
from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall
put away his wife, except it be for fornica tion, and shall marry
another, commits adultery: and whoso marries her which is put away doth
commit adultery.

Recently, listened to some tapes that claim that Revelation, Hebrews,
James and Mat thew do not apply because of the passages that indicate
the need of obedience and con tinued faithfulness. The speaker admitted
that's what the passages teach, but then claimed that all of these books
apply in a future tribulation in the future and do not apply today.
 
Acts 2:38 is a plain simple statement. This promise is for you and for
all who are "afar off". Everyone agrees that the "for you" refers to
Jews. Debate is over the "afar off". Who are they? Those who are far off
in time? Geographically? How does the Bible use this phrase? "Afar off"
is from the word "makran" {mak-ran'}.

In KJV, it is translated - far 4 times,   afar off 2 times,   good way
                off 1 time,   far hence 1 time,          great way off 1
                time,   far off 1 time; used 10 times total

Matthew 8:30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many
swine feeding. Luke 7:6 Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now
not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto
him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest
enter under my roof. Luke 15:20 And he arose, and came to his father.
But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had
compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. John 21:8 And
the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from
land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes.
Acts 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel
after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: Acts
22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto
the Gentiles.

Who Is "Afar Off"? Ephesians 2:11-13 Therefore remember
that you, once Gentiles in the flesh -- who are called Uncircumci sion
by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands -- that at
that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and
without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far
off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:17 And
came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that
were nigh. Mark 12:32-34 So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher.
You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other
but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding,
with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor
as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not
far from the kingdom of God..."

Prophesies of Those Who Are "Far Off"
Zechariah 6:12-15 ...Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: "Behold, the
Man whose name is the Branch! From His place He shall branch out, and He
shall build the temple of the Lord; Yes, He shall build the temple of
the Lord. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne;
So He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be
between them both... Even those from afar shall come and build the
temple of the Lord. Then you shall know that the Lord of hosts has sent
Me to you...

Context of Zechariah 6 Zechariah 2:10-11 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of
Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the
Lord. Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they
shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will
know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. Zechariah 8:20-22 Thus
says the Lord of hosts: 'Peoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many
cities; the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, "Let us
continue to go and pray before the Lord, and seek the Lord of hosts. I
myself will go also." Yes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to
seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.
(9:10) Isaiah 57:16-19 For I will not contend forever, nor will I always
be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, and the souls which I
have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck
him; I hid and was angry, and he went on backsliding in the way of his
heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him,
and restore comforts to him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of
the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,"
Says the Lord, "And I will heal him."

The Context of Isaiah 57 Isaiah 56:3-7 Do not let the son of the
foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord speak, saying, "The Lord
has utterly separated me from His people"; Nor let the eunuch say, "Here
I am, a dry tree" ...Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be
accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for
all nations." Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And
the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall
cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise
over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come
to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Jesus came to
bring salvation to All. Simeon: Luke 2:29-32 Lord, now You are letting
Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; For my eyes have
seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peo
ples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your
people Israel. Jesus Began With Israel Matthew 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus
sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the
Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to
the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:22-24 And behold, a
woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying,
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely
demon-possessed." ...But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to
the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

This is the way God planned it. The word of God first began in Jerusalem
as Isaiah 2 prophesied.

After Teaching the Jews First Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age." Amen. Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world
and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized
will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Romans
1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power
of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and
also for the Greek. Romans 3:21-24 But now the righteousness of God
apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the
Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ,
to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His
grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:27-30
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but
by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by
faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews
only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,
since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the
uncircumcised through faith. How are we cleansed by faith? Written to
Gentiles 60 - 61 AD, 20 years after the conversion of Cornelius
Colossians 1:21-22 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your
mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh
through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in
His sight. Colossians 1:26-27 the mystery which has been hidden from
ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To
them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this
mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 2:11-13 In Him you were also circumcised with the
circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of
the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in
which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God,
who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and
the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him,
having forgiven you all trespasses.

Both Jews and Gentiles are justified by the same way. Romans 10:9-13
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your
heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with
the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession
is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him
will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and
Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For
"whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

How do we call on the name of the Lord? Acts 22:16 And now why are you
waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the
name of the Lord.' The Day of Pentecost was "That which was spoken by
the prophet Joel" Joel 2:28-32 And it shall come to pass afterward that
I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall
see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will
pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens
and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be
turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the
great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass that
whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion
and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, As the Lord has said, among
the remnant whom the Lord calls.

Romans 6 - Teaching on Baptism to both Jew and Gentile Christians.
Romans was written in Acts 20, 57 AD. Cornelius was converted in Acts
10, around 15 years earlier. Romans 6:3-7 3 Or do you not know that as
many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His
death?... For if we have been united together in the likeness of His
death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of
sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
For he who has died has been freed from sin. Romans 6:17-18 But God be
thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the
heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been
set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Obedience is not
just for the Jews! Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and
apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.
Romans 2:6-10 [God] will render to each one according to his deeds;
eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for
glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but to those who are self-seeking and
do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness -- indignation and
wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of
the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to
everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Romans 15:18-19 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things
which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make
the Gentiles obedient, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the
Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I
have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Romans 16:25-26 Now to Him who
is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of
Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret
since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the
prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to
the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith.

Jews and Gentiles alike must "obey the truth", and have obedience to the
faith. Rejection of Jews who rebelled against God while God brings the
Gentiles in that do obey. The Gentiles Were Grafted Into the Olive Tree
Romans 11:17-18 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you,
being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them
became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not
boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do
not support the root, but the root supports you.
 
How do they become grafted in the tree? Do what the Jews did! There is
one new covenant that provides forgiveness. Not two covenants! First
covenant was given to Jews, The New Covenant is given to the Jews and
Gentiles.

The Conditions Have Always Been the Same for Those who Want to
be Part of Israel Genesis 17:12-14 He who is eight days old among you
shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is
born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not
your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with
your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh
for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised male child, who is
not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that person shall be cut
off from his people; he has broken My covenant. Exodus 12:43-44 And the
Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover: No
foreigner shall eat it. But every man's servant who is bought for money,
when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. Exodus 12:48-49 And
when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the
Lord, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and
keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised
person shall eat it. One law shall be for the native-born and for the
stranger who dwells among you. Leviticus 24:22 You shall have the same
law for the stranger and for one from your own country; for I am the
Lord your God. Numbers 9:14 And if a stranger dwells among you, and
would keep the Lord's Passover, he must do so according to the rite of
the Passover and according to its ceremony; you shall have one
ordinance, both for the stranger and the native of the land. Numbers
15:13-16 All who are native-born shall do these things in this manner,
in presenting an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma to the Lord. And
if a stranger dwells with you, or whoever is among you throughout your
generations, and would present an offering made by fire, a sweet aroma
to the Lord, just as you do, so shall he do. One ordinance shall be for
you of the assembly and for the stranger who dwells with you, an
ordinance forever throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the
stranger be before the Lord. One law and one custom shall be for you and
for the stranger who dwells with you. Numbers 15:29-30 You shall have
one law for him who sins unintentionally, for him who is native-born
among the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwells among them.
But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is
native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the Lord, and he
shall be cut off from among his people.

The Conditions for Being Part of Israel are
Still the Same For All! Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew
who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the
flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of
the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from
men but from God. Galatians 3:7-9 Therefore know that only those who are
of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God
would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham
beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." So then
those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Galatians
3:13-14 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become
a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a
tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in
Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through
faith. Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put
on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor
free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ
Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.

Colossians 3:9-11 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the
old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in
knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is
neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian,
Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Some Claim 1 Peter Was Written to Jews 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of
Jesus Christ, to the strangers (pilgrims of the Dispersion - NKJV)
scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 1
Peter 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when
they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which
they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Those who teach this have no concept of how the Church is the Israel of
God today. All they can see is the physical seed of Abraham, which both
Galatians and Romans teach that has nothing to do whether someone is
part of the true Israel or not. 1 Peter 1:14 as obedient children, not
conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 1 Peter
1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like
silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from
your fathers, 1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim
the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous
light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had
not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 4:3-4 For we
have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles
-- when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking
parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it
strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation,
speaking evil of you. To this Gentile Audience: 1 Peter 3:20-21 Which
sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in
the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is,
eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism
doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of
Jesus Christ:

Whether Peter was speaking to Jews or Gentiles, the messages was the
same! Acts 2:38 is in the time the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles
and began the Kingdom that Christ said would come in power. It began the
Kingdom in Jerusalem as Isaiah prophesied and from there spread to the
whole earth. Reason for the Kingdom - the church - All have sinned, all
need to be saved by the blood of Christ.

There is now know distinction. All come to God the same way.

Acts 2:38-39 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you,
and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the
Lord our God shall call.

We all must submit to this. to not is to willfully reject the will of
God.

This is the New Covenant that brings remission of sins Everyone baptizes
in Water! WHY?





Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc
Is Acts 2:38 for Gentiles? - Part 2

Lesson One, throughout the NT, the message is the same for both Jew and
Gentile. No one place contains all the teaching for what is necessary
for salvation, but when we put them all together, we find that there is
no distinction between groups of people. All are in sin, and all need
the same salvation offered through Christ. This lesson will spend more
time with the O.T. to see how saving the Gentiles through Christ on the
same terms as the Jews was part of the eternal purpose of God. Salvation
was Spoken first to Israel Matthew 10:5-7 These twelve Jesus sent out
and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and
do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep
of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of
heaven is at hand.'" Luke 24:46-47 Then He said to them, "Thus it is
written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise
from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 3:25-26 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God
made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the
families of the earth shall be blessed.' To you first, God, having
raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away
every one of you from your iniquities. Acts 18:5-6 When Silas and
Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and
testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. But when they opposed
him and blas phemed, he shook his garments and said to them, "Your blood
be upon your own heads; I am clean. From now on I will go to the
Gentiles." Acts 26:19-20 Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient
to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in
Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the
Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting
repen tance. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for
the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 2:8-11 but to those who are
self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness --
indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who
does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and
peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to
the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. The Reason Salvation was
Spoken first to Israel John 4:22 You worship what you do not know; we
know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. Romans 9:3-5 For I
could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my
country men according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain
the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the
service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom,
according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally
blessed God. Amen.

 The "Good News" was for the Gentiles too! Matthew
12:18-21 "Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My
soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare
justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will
anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break,
and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to
victory; and in His name Gentiles will trust." Luke 2:29-32 Lord, now
You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word;
for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the
face of all peoples,  A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and
the glory of Your people Israel. Acts 13:46-47 Then Paul and Barnabas
grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be
spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves
unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so
the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.

 Role of the Gentiles Began in Genesis
 Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the
earth shall be blessed." Genesis 18:17-18 And the Lord said, "Shall I
hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a
great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be
blessed in him? Genesis 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth
shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice. Genesis 26:4 And I
will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give
to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of
the earth shall be blessed. Spoken to Jews: Acts 3:24-25 Yes, and all
the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken,
have also foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets, and of the
covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in
your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' To you first,
God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in
turning away every one of you from your iniquities.

Spoken to Gentiles:
Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the
Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying,
"In you all the nations shall be blessed. Galatians 3:26-29 For you are
all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as
were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's,
then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

God is the God of the Gentiles
Romans 3:29 Or is He the God of the Jews only?
Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also 1
Chronicles 29:10-11 Therefore David blessed the Lord... "Blessed are
You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is
the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for
all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O
Lord, and You are exalted as head over all. Psalm 22:28 For the kingdom
is the Lord's, And He rules over the nations. Psalm 47:2 For the Lord
Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. Psalm
47:7-8 For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with
understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.
Psalm 96:3, 10 Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among
all peoples... Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns;" The world also
is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples
righteously." Jeremiah 10:7 who would not fear You, O King of the
nations? For this is Your rightful due, for among all the wise men of
the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. Daniel
4:25 They shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the
beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat grass like oxen. They
shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over
you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and
gives it to whomever He chooses.

Both The Jews and Gentiles Have Sinned
Against God. This Proves They are Both Under God's Authority 1 John 3:4
Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law. Romans 5:13 For until the law sin was in the
world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Romans 4:15 ...where
there is no law there is no transgression.

Prophets Spoke of "These Days" (1st Century)
 Spoken to Jews Acts 3:24-25 Yes, and all the
prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have
also foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets, and of the
covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in
your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'

Spoken to Gentiles Acts 10:43 To Him all the prophets witness that,
through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of
sins."

Spoken to a Mixed Audience Acts 26:22-23 Therefore, having obtained help
from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great,
saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said
would come -- that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first
to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and
to the Gentiles.

 Prophecies of the Gentiles Coming To the Lord 1.
Romans 10:19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: "I will
provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you
to anger by a foolish nation." Deuteronomy 32:21 They have provoked Me
to jealousy by what is not God; they have moved Me to anger by their
foolish idols. But I will provoke them to jealousy by those who are not
a nation; I will move them to anger by a foolish nation. 2.      Romans
10:20 But Isaiah is very bold and says: "I was found by those who did
not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me."
Isaiah 65:1 I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by
those who did not seek Me. I said, `Here I am, here I am,' to a nation
that was not called by My name. 3.      Romans 15:8-9 Now I say that
Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of
God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, and that the Gentiles
might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I
will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name. Psalms
18:49   (2 Samuel 22:50) Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord,
among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name. 4.      Romans 15:10
And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" Deuteronomy
32:43 Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people; for He will avenge the blood
of His servants, and render vengeance to His adversaries; He will
provide atonement for His land and His people." 5.      Romans 15:11 And
again: "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! laud Him, all you peoples!"
Psalms 117:1 Oh, praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you
peoples! 6.      Romans 15:12 And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a
root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him
the Gentiles shall hope." Isaiah 11:10 And in that day there shall be a
Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the
Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious." 7.
Matthew 12:18-21 Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in
whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will
declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor
will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not
break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice
to victory; and in His name Gentiles will trust. Isaiah 42:1-3 Behold!
My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have
put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He
will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard
in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He
will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. 8.      Luke
2:29-32 Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
according to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation which You
have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring
revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel. Isaiah
42:6-7 I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your
hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, as a
light to the Gentiles, to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from
the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house. 9.
Acts 13:46-47 Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was
necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since
you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life,
behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I
have set you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be for
salvation to the ends of the earth.' Isaiah 49:6 Indeed He says, 'It is
too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes
of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give
You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the
ends of the earth.'

 The Jews Had No Excuse For Not Understanding About
The Gentiles Psalm 2:7-9 I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to
Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will
give You The nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for
Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash
them to pieces like a potter's vessel. Psalm 22:14-18, 27 I am poured
out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax;
It has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My
tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For
dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me.
They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look
and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing
they cast lots. 27 All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to
the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.
Psalm 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth; For You shall inherit all
nations. Psalm 86:8-10 Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord;
Nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made
shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.
For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. Isaiah
2:2-3 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of
the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and
shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many
people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of
the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways,
and we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Isaiah 11:10 And in that day
there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the
people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be
glorious. Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the
glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall
cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise
over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come
to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:5
Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with
joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth
of the Gentiles shall come to you. Jeremiah 3:17 At that time Jerusalem
shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be
gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem. No more shall
they follow the dictates of their evil hearts. Jeremiah 4:1-2 If you
will return, O Israel," says the Lord, "Return to Me; And if you will
put away your abominations out of My sight, Then you shall not be moved.
And you shall swear, 'The Lord lives,' In truth, in judgment, and in
righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him
they shall glory." Jeremiah 16:19 O Lord, my strength and my fortress,
My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From
the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our fathers have inherited lies,
worthlessness and unprofitable things." Daniel 7:13-14 I was watching in
the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the
clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him
near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion
is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom
the one which shall not be destroyed. Amos 9:11-12 "On that day I will
raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its
damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of
old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who
are called by My name," Says the Lord who does this thing. Micah 4:1-2
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the
Lord's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall
be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations
shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we
shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of
the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the
Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure
offering; For My name shall be great among the nations," Says the Lord
of hosts.

 Unbelieving Jews Still Had to be Convinced. Some things were
plainly spoken but were still not understood. Mark 9:9-10 Now as they
came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no
one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the
dead. So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising
from the dead meant. This is the New Covenant (Matt. 26:28) God gave
Peter a vision of the unclean being cleansed to help him understand -
Acts 10:27-28 Acts 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words,
the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the
circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles
also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter
answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized
who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded
them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay
a few days. Acts 11:13-18 And he told us how he had seen an angel
standing in his house, who said to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and call for
Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and
all your household will be saved.' And as I began to speak, the Holy
Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered
the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but
you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If therefore God gave them
the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I that I could withstand God?" When they heard these things they
became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also
granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." Acts 15:7-9 And when there
had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and
brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my
mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So
God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy
Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and
them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Faith - Col. 2:11-13

TWO covenants - not Three (Law of Moses, baptism for Jews, Faith only
for Gentiles) Gal 4:24f

Galatians 3:26-28 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on
Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.



Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc