7512 Gentiles, in NT

Although Jesus Christ initially preached to Israel, his mission was soon extended to the Gentiles. From the outset, the Christian church accepted Gentiles as full members, refusing to make any distinction between Jew and Gentile. Paul, “the apostle to the Gentiles”, laid particular emphasis on their role in the purposes of God.

Gentiles in Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry

Jesus Christ’s contact with Gentiles Mt 8:5-13 pp Lk 7:1-10; Mt 15:21-28 pp Mk 7:24-30

Jesus Christ’s teaching concerning Gentiles Mt 21:33-43 pp Mk 12:1-11 pp Lk 20:9-16 Lk 21:20-24

Jesus Christ’s instructions to his disciples concerning Gentiles See also Mt 10:5-6 Initially the disciples were commanded to preach to Jews, but after his resurrection, Jesus Christ commissioned them to preach the message of the kingdom of God to all nations. Mt 28:19-20 See also Mk 16:15-16; Lk 24:46-47

Peter sent to Gentiles

Ac 10:28 See also Ac 10:9-20; Ac 11:5-14
Ac 10:44-48 See also Ac 11:15; Ac 15:7-8

Paul, apostle to the Gentiles

Gal 2:7-9 See also Ac 9:15; Ac 22:21; Ac 26:15-23; Ro 1:13-15; Ro 11:13; Ro 15:15-19; Gal 2:2; Eph 3:1; 1Ti 2:7; 2Ti 4:17

Rejected by Jews, Paul turns more to the Gentiles Ac 18:6 See also Ac 13:46; Ac 28:28

Response of the Gentiles to Paul’s preaching

Ac 13:48 See also Ac 14:1-2; Ac 15:12; Ac 21:19; 1Co 1:23-24

Difficulties concerning the acceptance of Gentiles into the church

The question of mixing with Gentiles Ac 11:2-3 See also Ac 11:15-18; Gal 2:12-13

The question of circumcision Ac 15:5-31 See also Gal 2:1-5; Gal 5:1-6

NT teaching on Gentiles

Gentiles now share the inheritance of God’s people Israel Eph 2:13; Rev 5:9-10 See also Ro 3:29; Ro 11:11-21; Gal 3:29; Rev 7:9; Rev 14:6

There is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles Gal 3:28 See also Ro 2:9-11; Eph 2:19-20; Col 3:11

God calls both Jew and Gentile

Jn 10:16; Ac 13:47-48 See also Ro 9:24-26; 1Co 1:24-25; 2Ti 4:17

Both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith Gal 3:6-14 See also Ro 4:9-12,16; Gal 5:6

See also