BIBLE LESSON Index

WHO IS INCLUDED? PART II

One of the fundamental misunderstandings among those who claim to follow God is the difference between the Old Testament and New Testament regarding who is included in the message of salvation and when. In the previous lesson, inclusion was the topic from the standpoint of the steps necessary to be part of God’s family which begins with repentance after hearing the word preached. Paul told Timothy: [2 Timothy 2:15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Many determinations go into rightly dividing the truth, and those who want to know the truth must study as Paul told the young man, Timothy.

If all of mankind is acceptable to God without conforming to the requirements of God, then why did God give the Laws of Moses to the Jews? For that matter why did God banish Adam and Eve from the Garden? The answer to both is sin, behaviors not pleasing or acceptable to God. If sin doesn’t exist, the Bible is false and Jesus died in vain.

As was pointed out in the previous lesson, the Gentiles weren’t included in the requirement to keep the tenets of the law. Paul wrote about the Gentile members of the church: Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; Eph 2:12 That at that time ye 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: Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. There was a division between the Jews and Gentiles created by the law and Jesus broke it down by taking away the need to keep the Laws of Moses and by so doing, grace through faith in Christ brought Jew and Gentile alike into the covenant of salvation through the common bond of Jesus Christ. We read: Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The Gentiles were included in the covenant because they were guilty of sin: [Rom 3:23] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; [Rom 5:12] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Again we come back to the condition of sin and the requirement for becoming a member of God’s family of the saved. Paul wrote: [Gal 3:22] But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.[Gal 3:23] But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. [Gal 3:24] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. [Gal 3:25] But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. [Gal 3:26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [Gal 3:27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [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. [Gal 3:29] And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The truth is that all have sinned, and through Christ the Gentiles were included in God’s family through obedience propelled by their newly found faith in Jesus Christ. The scriptures make it clear that only those who humble themselves and follow the requirements will be saved.

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