@jeremiah1five
Jeremiah, these facts are biblical truths and testified by God's word, and we will add, they are not overlooked by men and women who know the scriptures, we acknowledge these truths, We also understand that even the apostles did not grasps theses truths (the Gentiles being made
ONE with the Jews in the body of Christ) fully until after Acts 15 meeting, but begin to see a mystery hidden in the scriptures after Acts 10, with the conversion of Cornelius who was
a centurion of the band called the Italian band~ a Gentile
by birth ~ like any truth, it took a while for it to fully be understood even by the apostles.
Cornelius was a mixed heritage Hebrew. There were no Gentiles that were "devout m
en, and feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." He is considered a God Fearer, a man of Jew-Gentile descent who stopped short of full commitment to the Law of Moses by most not being circumcised. You seem to forget that where a "remnant" of about 5%-10% of all Jews in Exile in Assyria and Babylon and Gentile lands in-between, the majority of Jews remained living in those Gentile lands. So, if both Assyria and Babylon took Israel and Judah captive and Exiled them and carried them away, if we count that 1.5 million Jews were taken away into Gentile lands, a "remnant" of 5%-10% would number about 75,000 that returned with Nehemiah and Ezra respectively to Israel, that leaves a great majority of Jews out there among the Gentiles. That's a lot of Jews EVERYWHERE living in Gentile lands in Exile:
Babylonian Empire 606 BC:
The Jews were EVERYWHERE in Gentile lands. And because God scattered them as judgment for their sins of idolatry, etc., the majority of Jews living in these lands knew nothing about Jesus of Nazareth until the first evangelists after Pentecost (ca. A.D. 32) who came to Jerusalem for the Jewish Feast of Harvest became born-again and returned home and to their synagogues with an outline of Peter's sermon, testimony of Jesus the Christ, and their experience with the Holy Spirit of Promise PROMISED TO ISRAEL by Joel until the eleven disciples got off their butts a decade later and finally did go to Samaria, Judah, and the uttermost parts of the earth (Mesopotamia and the Orient) with a message to these Jews -mixed heritage Jews included - with a simple message to them from the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacov, that their Deliverer "like unto Moses" had arrived and that God has kept His Promise. So, how can some, if not, ALL say the Jews "rejected Jesus and crucified Him" when over 1.4 Jews alive never even knew there even existed a "Jesus of Nazareth who claimed to be the Son of God, Israel's Messiah and King? Jesus never traveled outside of Israel nor while He was alive did His disciples.
Acts 10:45
“And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
The Jews of Israel who had attitude with the half-Jew (ten northern tribes), half-Gentile Samaritans called these mixed heritage Hebrews "Samaritan" and not "Jew" the same the Jews had attitude against the half-Jew (two southern tribes) and Gentile growing up Gentile in Greek culture called them "Gentile" and not "Jew" because for all intents and purposes they were mostly Gentile than they were Jew in culture. From 722 BC to the first century A.D. was about 29-35 generations of mixed heritage Jews who grew up as Gentile in Gentile lands. This fact prompted Saul to write to these Jews and mixed heritage Jews at Ephesus: "
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past
Gentiles in the flesh (uncircumcised),
who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
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:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:11–13.
I don't read or hear pastors and preachers giving creedence in their sermons of these facts about Hebrew history. Everyone - including you - think the New Covenant writings of gospels and letters and one prophecy (Revelation) all believe the New Testament was written to Gentiles. There's a strong dulusion sent by God to believe these false teachings of a "Gentile" Bible. God doesn't even have covenant with Gentiles but Gentiles make every attempt to include themselves in the Abraham, Covenant by the way they interpret "families of the earth", and "nations" in Genesis 17 by advocating that Galatians 3:28-29 has Saul writing to Gentiles when God doesn't even have a covenant with Gentiles, nor is the Law, Psalms, and Prophets record anything of Gentile history or culture or of any Gentile prophets God sent to Gentiles to witness a Jewish Messiah. And we know that the Mosaic Covenant builds upon the Abraham Covenant, why is it that Gentiles "jump over" the Mosaic Covenant in order to include themselves in the Abraham Covenant? And where are there any "Gentile" prophets or apostles or forefathers beyond Abraham that have written to Gentiles AFTER Abraham? There's nothing for nearly 2000 years from Abraham onward of any Gentile prophets or other great spiritual Gentile giants with a specific message to Gentiles or any promises from God to them of a Jewish Messiah and King of the JEWS being heralded? Gentiles from Abraham onward piggy-back on the backs of the Jews through the centuries until Jesus does finally arrive. Gentiles, like the Hebrew people, should have a Gentile Bible by now since while they are still a separated people and enemy of the Jews, why isn't there any prophets coming out of Moab now that Ruth, the Moabitess, is great-great=great grandmother of Messiah. Why are there no Moabite prophets?
Acts 10:34,35
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”
God is very much a respecter of persons for the Scripture says so, and now that the Word of God has contradicted your belief God IS A RESPECTER OF PERSONS this should change your belief and compel you to teach that He is based upon these passages. If anything, it should now prevent you from saying God is a respecter of persons from this day forward and that you take hold of the Scripture that teaches and proves He is.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And
the LORD had respect unto Abel [the PERSON] and to his offering:
5
But unto Cain [the PERSON] and to his offering
he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:4–5.
25 And God looked upon
the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them. Exodus 2:25.
Either Peter and Saul are lying or your understanding of this question is interpretative error on your part.
Cornelius would have to be mixed heritage Hebrew who grew up as Gentile in Gentile land heavily influenced by Greek culture for that was the whole isse of the Jerusalem Council for no Jew or Jewish Christian wiould ever seek to circumcise a non-Hebrew Gentile and also cause them to obedience to the Law of Moses because all Jews knew that Abraham's Covenant was made between God, Abraham, and Abraham's seed. The Judaizers that followed Saul and taught the disciples would never seek to circumcise or desire non-Hebrew Gentiles to be circumcised for that would cause great social and religious upheval among the Jews. Saul was a rabbi and a Pharisee. He KNEW the Scripture and he would lose all credibility among the Jews if he tried to circumcise non-Hebrew Gentiles.
While I will not dispute your claims concerning the twelve tribes of Israel, each one being represented in Acts 2, it truly has no bearing one way, or another, yet they still were not enlighten fully to the truth that God's people were not only the Jewish people; the City of Jerusalem the place where men came to worship; and the temple being the house of God where he dwelled. They were in for a big awakening ~ a period of Reformation that was going to take place during the days of the apostles. Leaving the Jews' religion behind (Judaism), for the religion of Jesus Christ-called Christianity. A so much better system to be under where there is now no more remembrance of sin, our sins are put away by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.
Again, Scripture contradicts your belief.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him,
Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: Acts 20.
Even the apostle Saul, after he became born-again he maintained his obedience to the Law of Moses and he was seen and respected by the Jews and Judaizers as such:
24 Them take, and
purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may
shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing;
but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. Acts 21:24.
This truth is all through their OT scriptures, yet hidden from their eyes. There are literally hundred of scriptures testifying to these days, so many it is not easy to know where to start.
Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
When we sing songs like, Marching To Zion, we sing of this heavenly city of God. How great is Sion? It is the city of the living God where Jesus rules over the universe.
These are Jewish Christians for the Jews are the recipients of the Abraham Promises and Jews remained obedient to the Law of Moses.
Our citizenship is true and guaranteed already by our names in the Book of Life. Our adoption into the family of God is true
regardless of
our location, tongue or kindred. (
Eph 3:15). We are now kings and priests by Jesus’ blood to boldly approach God (
Rev 1:5-6). Already in this epistle we are connected to our forerunner in heaven (
Heb 6:17-20).
Those terms are used in the Old Testament of the Jews. How can you insert Gentiles into the Old Testament writings and say they apply to Gentiles now?
.
Paul wrote, We are members of His body, of his flesh, and of his bones (
Eph 5:30).
Old Testament Zion was a name for Jerusalem (
II Sam 5:6-7;
Ps 51:18;
76:2;
102:21). It included at least one hill or mountain of Jerusalem (
Psalm 2:6;
133:3;
Lam 5:18). It was also known as the stronghold or fort of Zion (
II Sam 5:7,
9;
48:12;
II Chr 32:5) It is referenced in the scriptures for its beauty, strength, and safety (
Psalm 48:1-3). But it also included the temple worship of Jehovah, so it could include Mt. Moriah.
New Testament Sion (Zion)
is spiritually the church and kingdom of Jesus (
Rev 14:1). Do not overlook the context here – general assembly and church of the Firstborn. The citizenship roll, or members roll, is the book of life of all the elect
out of every nation, tongue, and kindred, not just Jews, but Gentiles as well. (
Luke 10:20). The gospel tells the daughter of Sion that her King has arrived (
Matt 21:5;
Jn 12:15).
Notice it says "OUT OF" meaning the Jews that were scattered INTO Gentile lands for several centuries God was gathering them back.
22 Therefore
say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen,
whither ye went.
23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned
among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the
midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before ytheir eyes.
24
For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
25
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26
A new heart also will I give you, and fa new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And
I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to iwalk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. <--- talking about remaining obedient to the Law of Moses after receiving a NEW "HEART."
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Eze 36:22–28.
These passages figure nicely with Jeremiah's prophecy of a New Covenant.
The heavenly Jerusalem, the spiritual city/church of God’s elect, is being populated by believers in Jesus,
out of every nations and kindred! (
Gal 4:25-28;
Isaiah 2:2-3;
62:1-2;
Micah 4:1-2;
Acts 15:18). He will soon have all the inhabitants of it in one place forever (
Eph 1:9-11;
3:15).
And in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
Zech. 14:21.
He says "Canaanite" because the Promised Land used to have Canaanites in the land God promised Abraham:
6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh.
And the Canaanite was then in the land.
7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give
this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. Genesis 12:6–7.
The city is new Jerusalem,
the church of Jews and Gentiles (
Rev 3:12;
21:2,
10-14). What is a city? A place where citizens unite for mutual benefits, defense, and joy. A royal city? Where citizens under a King have even much greater benefits and joy. The new covenant includes countless elect angels in some way now closer than the old.
Angels under the old covenant appeared and did great things for special occasions, but their appearances were more dreadful and frightening than comfort and help; angels were terrifying creatures in the old but our servants in the new (
Heb 1:13-14).
I'll come back and finish.
The Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets were written to the Hebrew people, the children of Israel. ONLY
