Many Christians have followed the erroneous teachings of their leaders without searching the Scriptures daily to see if these things be true, and have assumed or presumed that the dispensation of the grace of God, for Gentiles, began with the message of Peter and the Eleven on the day of Pentecost.
They seem to know the truth of Romans 11:15, that reconciliation was sent to Gentiles when and because Israel was set aside in blindness by God; but they have accepted the statements of others that Israel was set aside when Christ spoke, in Matthew 23:31 to 39, and that on the day of Pentecost God ushered in this present grace economy, which is called, in Ephesians 3:9, the dispensation (economy) of the mystery.
It is a blessed thing to know the truth of Romans 11:15 concerning the why and when of reconciliation for and to Gentiles, and the truth of Titus 2:11, Romans 10:12 and Ephesians 2:17.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
But no one knew this truth during the first years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Study these messages of grace for Gentiles in the light of Acts 2:5 and 36Galatians 2:8Acts 10:28Acts 11:1 to 3 and Acts 11:19.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but UNTO THE JEWS ONLY.
Thus we see that there was no dispensation of grace for Gentiles during the first years after Christs resurrection.
But later on something else happened.
AND WHEN THEY WERE COME, AND HAD GATHERED THE CHURCH TOGETHER, THEY REHEARSED ALL THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM, AND HOW HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES. Acts 14:27.
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am an apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office. Romans 11:13.
Then remember the turning-point in Asia, marked by the words of Acts 13:46, Lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Note the turning-point in Europe, marked by Acts 18:5 and 6. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads I am clean; FROM HENCEFORTH I WILL GO UNTO THE GENTILES.
Then carefully note that every message of Peter and the Eleven, and of their fellow-labourers, recorded in the first nine chapters of Acts, was addressed to ye men of Judaea, and ye men of Israel; that is, to the Jews. It was not lawful for them to go to the Gentiles. Acts 10:28. When Peter did go to Cornelius, the other apostles contended with him. Acts 11:1 to 5. In the light of Acts 10:28 and Acts 11:19, we must decide that the people to whom Philip preached in the city of Samaria, and also the eunuch, in the same eighth chapter of Acts, were all Jews. Some of the Jews of Acts 2:5 were called in Acts 2:10, proselytes. The eunuch had been up to Jerusalem to worship, and was doubtless a proselyte, a Jew by religion. The Grecians of Acts 6 were Greek-speaking Jews.
Again all of the messages proclaimed by the apostles, during the first eleven chapters of Acts, were in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. By way of contrast note Ephesians 3:8:
UNTO ME, WHO AM LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS, IS THIS GRACE GIVEN, THAT I SHOULD PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.
The word unsearchable means untraceable; that is, unprophesied. In the ministry of Paul we find much truth to both Jews and Gentiles that was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy; but there is a very distinctive message in some of his writings designated the Mystery or the Secret which was not prophesied. It is called Gods eternal purpose. It is truth concerning the Church of the Mystery, the Joint-Body of Christ. The members of that JointBody were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. They are seated in the heavenlies in Christ. Ephesians 3:11Ephesians 1:3 and 4. All of this is included in the UNSEARCHABLE riches of Christ.
--J.C.O'hair
They seem to know the truth of Romans 11:15, that reconciliation was sent to Gentiles when and because Israel was set aside in blindness by God; but they have accepted the statements of others that Israel was set aside when Christ spoke, in Matthew 23:31 to 39, and that on the day of Pentecost God ushered in this present grace economy, which is called, in Ephesians 3:9, the dispensation (economy) of the mystery.
It is a blessed thing to know the truth of Romans 11:15 concerning the why and when of reconciliation for and to Gentiles, and the truth of Titus 2:11, Romans 10:12 and Ephesians 2:17.
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men.
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek; for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
But no one knew this truth during the first years after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Study these messages of grace for Gentiles in the light of Acts 2:5 and 36Galatians 2:8Acts 10:28Acts 11:1 to 3 and Acts 11:19.
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
For He that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles.
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the Word to none but UNTO THE JEWS ONLY.
Thus we see that there was no dispensation of grace for Gentiles during the first years after Christs resurrection.
GOD OPENED THE DOOR
But later on something else happened.
AND WHEN THEY WERE COME, AND HAD GATHERED THE CHURCH TOGETHER, THEY REHEARSED ALL THAT GOD HAD DONE WITH THEM, AND HOW HE HAD OPENED THE DOOR OF FAITH UNTO THE GENTILES. Acts 14:27.
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am an apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office. Romans 11:13.
Then remember the turning-point in Asia, marked by the words of Acts 13:46, Lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Note the turning-point in Europe, marked by Acts 18:5 and 6. And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads I am clean; FROM HENCEFORTH I WILL GO UNTO THE GENTILES.
Then carefully note that every message of Peter and the Eleven, and of their fellow-labourers, recorded in the first nine chapters of Acts, was addressed to ye men of Judaea, and ye men of Israel; that is, to the Jews. It was not lawful for them to go to the Gentiles. Acts 10:28. When Peter did go to Cornelius, the other apostles contended with him. Acts 11:1 to 5. In the light of Acts 10:28 and Acts 11:19, we must decide that the people to whom Philip preached in the city of Samaria, and also the eunuch, in the same eighth chapter of Acts, were all Jews. Some of the Jews of Acts 2:5 were called in Acts 2:10, proselytes. The eunuch had been up to Jerusalem to worship, and was doubtless a proselyte, a Jew by religion. The Grecians of Acts 6 were Greek-speaking Jews.
Again all of the messages proclaimed by the apostles, during the first eleven chapters of Acts, were in fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures. By way of contrast note Ephesians 3:8:
UNTO ME, WHO AM LESS THAN THE LEAST OF ALL SAINTS, IS THIS GRACE GIVEN, THAT I SHOULD PREACH AMONG THE GENTILES THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.
The word unsearchable means untraceable; that is, unprophesied. In the ministry of Paul we find much truth to both Jews and Gentiles that was in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy; but there is a very distinctive message in some of his writings designated the Mystery or the Secret which was not prophesied. It is called Gods eternal purpose. It is truth concerning the Church of the Mystery, the Joint-Body of Christ. The members of that JointBody were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. They are seated in the heavenlies in Christ. Ephesians 3:11Ephesians 1:3 and 4. All of this is included in the UNSEARCHABLE riches of Christ.
--J.C.O'hair
