That the Gospel, being
rejected by the Jews, should be preached among the Gentiles is the topic, today,
along with more on salvation by reading the Scriptures. As has occurred on a
number of occasions, before I could complete my response to the person who posed
the question, the identifying information was deleted by “Yahoo! Answers.” Even
so, I may share what was posted by the writer using ID “Johnny” (Level 1 with
199 points, a member since November ?, 2012) as having been the
following:
What did Paul mean "From now on I will
go to the Gentiles."?
And what is with all this Jewish pride chosen
people crap?
THE BATTLE AXE: The
Golden Ticket? (11/30/2012)—There is no instant and automatic access, simple
formula, or golden ticket a person may use to gain a place in heaven. For
believers in GOD through Jesus Christ, achieving a celestial home is
accomplished as a peculiar “work” of dependence upon divine grace, of faith, and
of daily living that displays uninterrupted righteousness. Believers must
cooperate with the finished work for salvation that has been performed through
the birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, ascension, and eternal reign of
Christ. The recovery of believers from death and sin is not a single, one-time
event. The saved must undertake a journey to GOD that requires many acts of
obedience, careful choices, and experiences of self denial. Rather than
discrete events such as only reading the Bible, there will be repeated demands
that absolutely must be met for change in behavior, conduct and desires; demands
for growth in relationship and understanding with other believers; continuous
demands for repentance from sin; and unquenchable demands for prayer, service
and worship to embrace the presence of GOD.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Then
Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God
should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge
yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so
hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of
the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the
Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of
the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the
devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised
persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.
(Acts 13: 46-50, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER:
According to the Eternal Purpose (11/20/2012); Still The “Chosen” (03/19/2012);
GOD Does Exist (03/20/2012); The First Jews (02/20/2012); Upon This Rock
(02/21/2012); Why Only Luke (02/22/2012); New Covenant? (01/08/2011); Annulled?
(01/09/2011)
The “good news” (the Gospel) proclaimed
through the ministry of Jesus Christ has many aspects and levels. By declaring
a mission to the Gentiles that would no longer be centered within and dependent
upon the system of synagogues, or the practice of the Temple at Jerusalem, the
Apostle Paul introduced the next phase in declaring the universal truth of
salvation to mankind. Rejection by the Jews of the teachings that Jesus of
Nazareth appeared in the earth as Messiah to fulfill holy promises from GOD that
are recorded in Scripture would not be an obstacle to the completion of the
divine work to anchor human understanding in a more complete and correct
revelation of GOD. And this was good news.
Like many others (for example, the prophets
Daniel and John the Baptist, and the Apostle Peter), Paul did not immediately
grasp the full understanding of GOD operating both in the flesh and through the
spirit. Even modern day believers have difficulty with the many spiritual
truths that must be accepted for mature service and worship. Historical truths
that GOD had appeared and operated in the earth were in line with doctrines that
identified GOD as using men in the earth through covenants. The priesthood that
may be traced from Adam to Moses was seen as confirmed in the life and work of
Jesus, rather than contradicted or denied. Because custom and tradition among
the true followers of Moses had permitted the spread of human error, the duty to
share spiritual benefit with the Gentiles had been deemphasized, ignored, and
overlooked. After illumination from Christ, Paul was able to see that wholeness
for the work of GOD could not be correctly accomplished without embracing the
Greeks, Romans and all other peoples.
There is far more to be said, correctly
applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, that mankind is granted an
impartial, yet, empathetic and experienced judge is good news. Because of sin,
there have long been those who think themselves wise by showing disrespect to
others. The problems of disbelief, ignorance and racism may cloud and delay a
believer’s understanding; however, the light of the Gospel cannot be
extinguished for those who realize that the necessary changes within their being
(that also must come by death, re-birth, learning and growth) are primarily
through the operation of the spirit imparted from GOD. And this, too, is good
news.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according
to your faith.
THE BLACK
PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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