Are Gentiles chosen or not?

[blessed2]

Am I mistaken to think that you all may have experienced some bashing here or perhaps some anti-Semitic experiences?
I guess I ask because it seems from some of the posts i read in the forums that there's some guard up....I know I've heard the phase anti-semitic but I've never witnessed anything myself and have difficulty in understanding it or fathoming it.....then I think that's a good thing! That has no place in the heart of those who love G-d.

 

[simchat_torah]

Yes, in fact, we experienced it here on these forums for a brief stint. It seems to rear it's ugly head once in awhile. In fact, the moderators (I think it was them?) started a thread to discuss antisemetic doctrines (specifically replacement theology).

I think that SW and P4I could better answer your questions in that regard.

I myself have encountered it numerous times in real life. The synagouge I went to in college had a large swastika painted on the back of the building and bricks thrown in through the windows with a picture of the Rabbi and death threats tied to these bricks. It turned out to be a fanatical christian group, who's leader is now in jail (Matt Haile... sp?).

That's only one example of many real life things I've encountered along my way.

shalom 2 u,
yafet.

 

[simchat_torah]

The very title of this thread is difficult to swallow.

G-d has a calling on every person. He loves all.

Yet there are specific purposes for certain groups to carry out in a prophetic story book called eternity.

Everyone is a part of this story, and every role is different.

So.... Does the Gentile have a calling? Yes. Is it the same calling as a Jew? no. The Jews were specifically 'chosen' to carry on the oracles of G-d down through the generations.

-Yafet.

 

[Sabian]

(The very title of this thread is difficult to swallow.)

I do not mean to say that a gentile can not be chosen ,or grafted in. But it just seems to me that they would no longer be a gentile after they are chosen, or grafted in.

 

[Henaynei]

(The very title of this thread is difficult to swallow.)

I do not mean to say that a gentile can not be chosen ,or grafted in. But it just seems to me that they would no longer be a gentile after they are chosen, or grafted in.

Gentile means "nations", or of the nations - specifically non-Jews. It does not mean g-dless, idolaters or pagan. Pagan means pagan, idolaters or g-dless.

Seeking answers in scripture one is drawn to the example of Zaken Ya'akov (the Elder James) in Acts - "see how many there are of the Gentiles which believe?" If this had been a wrong designation I am sure that Rav Sha'ul would had stood in their defense as he was not known for being mealy-mouthed or a yes-man.

It would be no different to say Jews which believe. There were/are certainly both Jews and Gentiles that did not believe. Not believing does not make a Jew a Gentile - how can believing make a Gentile a Jew??

 

[simchat_torah]

But it just seems to me that they would no longer be a gentile after they are chosen, or grafted in.

Yes, it is very true that according to Jewish Halacha... a Jew by birth may not refer to a
Proselyte's (gentile convert to Judaism) past after he/she has undergone conversion rites.

Once they have completed their conversion, it is illegal for a Jew to remind a proselyte of their past. This is based in part on the passage concerning not mixing meat and dairy (kid in its mother's milk).

Shalom,
yafet.

 

[Anew]

Personally, I feel that the concept of being "the chosen ones" is frequently misunderstood. Yes,.. the descendants of Abraham were indeed "chosen" to be seeded amoung the people of the world to spread Gods word. And in payment for taking on this enormous, and usually unappreciated task, God made a covenant with those people,.. the Jews. God knew that he was placing quite a burden on them by making them the original messengers of his word. That's why the covenant was necessary,.. a covenant which said, essentially, that no matter what they encountered along the way,.. regardless of how hard their hearts may become from the tribulations that they would encounter as a result of spreading his word, God wouldn't turn his back on them,...... ever.

 

[blessed2]

I myself have encountered it numerous times in real life.

A Christian group? Crazy.
" the greatest cause of atheism today is "Christians" who profess Him with their mouths yet deny Him in how they conduct thier lives."

 

[AnthonyForChrist]

A Christian group? Crazy.
" the greatest cause of atheism today is "Christians" who profess Him with their mouths yet deny Him in how they conduct thier lives."

I think "the powers of spiritual darkness" like to manipulate that to their advantage. If we're not salty or lighting, then no one is. The body of Christ has been entrusted with a big responsibility, and the Evil One likes to prevent those who have been "grafted in" from realizing just what that is. He's being working vehemently on the church for millennia, and the rotten fruits of his efforts are paying off, for now. Seeing how we realize this, we need to spread the truth as simply and plainly we can, being sure to clear up misconceptions of the faith when opportunities to do such arise. To establish a brotherhood of believers of all cultures, being careful not to use our knowledge or convictions in an alienating way, is our goal, relying on the Spirit to do His work. We must not hinder relaying the gospel, which is done in an experiential language to be felt by the heart, not flowery language to intice the mind. The ideas of the mind change their course as frequently as do the winds, but the witness of the heartfelt Spirit is concrete and cannot be denied. In our postmodern world, logic and reason are no longer viable options to witness with. As is evident in the New Age movement, people are seeking the experience of spirituality. Luckily, the Spirit speaks in an emotional language. So then, let us use this opportunity to step aside and allow Him to emerge in the lives of the seeking many, who seek to feel and not merely understand.

 

[SonWorshipper]

Very profound Anthony and also very true.