The Biblical Doctrine of Love

[Pancho Frijoles]

The ONLY people God loves are the Hebrew people. Do you know where God says this specifically about the Hebrews? I do. Do you? So, since you don't, I'm going to teach you something you don't know about God's love for the Hebrews and why He loves them and ONLY them. Ready?

6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 7:6–9.

It seems you haven't read carefully enough this text, jeremiah. I say it respectfully. You seem to read in haste.

The text of Deuteronomy 7:6-9 does not say that God loves only the Hebrew people.
What the text says is that:

1. Verse 6: Israel is holy people in God's eyes. "Holy", as used in the Torah, does not mean "morally good" but sacred, not profane.
2. Verse 6: Israel is special people among (above) all people that are upon the face of earth. Such "above" does not refer to anything else than the category of "special". I could say the same about my mother. "You, Mom, are special to me above all women of earth"
3. Verse 8: God loves Israel because of the oath sworn to their fathers. God may have many other reasons to love the Chinese, other than a covenant.

So, your claim of God loving only the Hebrews based on Deuteronomy 7:6-9 is unsupported and has been refuted.

 

[Rockson]

Saul uses the word "Greek" and NOT "Gentile" because he was addressing mixed heritage Hebrews just as the word is defined and what history describes.

So I have a question. When Paul rebuked Peter for pulling back with sitting with the Gentiles to eat.....these were converts of Paul....what exactly were they converts to? Not to Christ? Seems to me if Paul would have agreed with you he would have told Peter he did a good and wise thing. Didn't though did he. Did exactly the opposite.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Cornelius, as a mixed heritage Hebrew practiced the Mosaic Law which if he were non-Hebrew the Jews would not have accepted his being devout for the things of God as a Hebrew who grew up in Gentile lands influenced by Greek culture.

You need to expand your knowledge of history, my friend, in addition to a more careful reading of the Scriptures. I say it respectfully

The Gentiles who were attracted to Judaism and worshipped God were known as God-fearers or God-worshippers:. phoboumenoi ton Theon (φοβούμενοι τὸν Θεόν) or theosebeis (θεοσεβεῖς). These individuals recognized the One and Only God, and even observed certain Jewish religious rites and traditions without fully converting to Judaism. This condition had nothing to do with their genetic linage. Jews accepted the donations and contributions of these God-fearers Gentiles.

Luke made no effort at all to insinuate that Cornelius had a Hebrew heritage and that such was the reason to be accepted by God.
On the contrary, he emphasizes that Peter considered him unclean, and that the Christians in Judea considered him unclean. Therefore, whatever the hidden lineage Cornelius could have had, it was of no importance at the time of considering him a Gentile.
The virtue Luke gives to Cornelius in Acts 10 is his righteousness, not his lineage.

CONCLUSION:
Your claim about an allegedly mixed Hebrew heritage of Cornelius as the reason that allowed Peter to preach to him, or to be accepted by God, is unsupported. It has been refuted.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

No, they were 'polytheist' Hebrews who grew up in Gentile lands heavily influenced by Greek culture.

So, you claim that Paul, without any DNA test at hand, in a foreign city, somehow knew that the people at the Areopagus, who did not worship as Jews, did not think as Jews, did not read Jewish literature, did not practice Jewish rituals, were actually half-Hebrews... or 10% Hebrews... or 1% Hebrews... and that is why Paul accepted to preach to them.

Luke is very clear throughout the Book of Acts in all instances in which Paul sought first for Hebrews and preached to them in the synagogues. So, we should ask ourselves:

• Why would Luke want to hide the fact that Paul also preached to Jews at the Areopagus?
• Why would Luke mention specifically that Pitagorean or Stoic philosophers had invited him? He had just mentioned that Paul was debating with Jews at the synagogue and marketplace, hadn't he? Why then to introduce such non-Hebrew element to the story?
• Why would Luke put in Paul's mouth a speech that assumed no previous knowledge of the Torah or YHWH by his audience?

Luke wanted to emphasize the Gentile nature of the Gentiles Paul preached to.
Luke made no attempt whatosever to point out to a possible mixed Hebrew lineage.

CONCLUSION:
Your claim that Paul knew he would preach to genetically hybrid Hebrews in the Areopagus is unsupported.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

And God's love is predicated upon ONE THING: Covenant.

That's not true.

The gospels don't preach God's love based on a genetically based covenant.
On the contrary, they minimize the fact of being descendants from Abraham, as our friend @Studyman has already pointed out.

The gospels emphasize repentance as the basis of salvation, and love as main principle of life.

The word "covenant" is mentioned 283 times in the Tanakh.
However, Jesus only pronounced that word once (recorded in Mark 14:24 and Matthew 26:28)
In that instance, and in contrast with the covenants pronounced in Deuteronomy and Jeremiah, Jesus doesn't say "Israel", but "many" as the people entering the covenant.

So, although Jesus preached so emphatically about the Kingdom of God in public, in front of crowds, Jesus made no reference at all to the covenant. He had to wait three years, do it in the intimate environment of his apostles, and do it not for Israel, but for "many". Interesting, isn't it?

Instead, He said to Nicodemus: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

 

[TibiasDad]

Where in the Hebrew Scripture does God promise the Holy Spirit to non-Hebrew Gentiles?

Acts 10; The Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles. Cornelius and his family were Italian Romans! That’s about as Gentile as it gets, and even the Jewish Christians were astonished that the Holy Spirit was given to non-Jews.

(Don’t give me your Cornelius was part Jew; you have nothing but your circular reasoning as proof, for scripture says they were Gentiles, not half breed Jews like the Samaratins.

 

[jeremiah1five]

Good morning Jeremiah

I will reply to your comments in regard to the audience at the Areopagus and to Cornelius.
However, there is a much more important question I would like to make to you

I you are so convinced that the Scriptures teach that God loves only certain ethnic group, and that the command of loving our neighbors only applies to a certain ethnic group... why do you want to believe in such Scriptures? why do you want to follow such religion?

Your error is that you don't take Scripture as written and understand that God has long had covenant with Abraham's seed, a people identified as the children of Israel, and that God doesn't have any covenant with non-Hebrew Gentiles, and that the Holy Spirit was PROMISED TO ISRAEL and not to non-Hebrew Gentiles, then everything written in the Hebrew Scriptures and in the New Covenant writings which are Jews and Jewish Christians discussing and trying to make sense and understand the New Covenant era they found themselves in, that as children of God under the Law that He would be the One to teach His people everything they needed to know in order to live together and get along by following God's Laws and commands, that even the instruction of God to the children of Israel in the desert at the time of the Tabernacle and God's placement of each tribe around the Tabernacle where He wanted them, that the prophecy by Moses that God would raise up a Prophet like unto Moses would be raised up from among the Hebrew people and from one of their tribes, that He would come to teach the people of God from their Law that when this Promised Kinsman-Redeemer did come He did just that with a certain sermon on the Mount recorded in Matthew's gospel. So, what did Jesus, Israel's Prophet like unto Moses teach the children of Israel who crowded Him out to hear Him speak say? Well, for one Jesus said, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:17–19.

All Jews who lived in Jerusalem and Israel who heard about this prophet the people called their King teach? He taught the people from out of the Law of Moses and the prophets, right? OK, then let's look at what He said to the children of Israel that flocked around Him (like sheep without a shepherd) say? He said:

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43–48.

First, I wonder if I should give you some background or just jump right into it and prove that what Jesus taught was exactly what He commanded them back in the day when He led them through the desert when they lived in certain God-ordained lots around the Tabernacle. In this chapter Jesus brings up some aspect of what the Law commanded and spoke the spirit of the Law to a people who only understood the letter of the Law until the Holy Spirit of Promise PROMISED TO ISRAEL changed all that and when they were converted were then able to understand the spirit of the Law being spiritual beings themselves. So, what is Jesus bringing up here in these verses? Well, He's bringing up the original command to Israel - NOT GENTILES - on the subject of love, who to love and how to love. And it all has to do with teaching the children of Israel who to love and how to love their brethren just as He taught them moments ago on who and how to understand the Law on killing and on worship, and on the Law of Retribution and eye for eye, and on adultery and on forswearing to God, and finally to end out the evening, on love. So, what does the original command on love say? Who did it apply to and what were God's instructions on who to love and how to love them? To do this we have toi go to the Hebrew Scripture where the original command is written. First, take note to who God is speaking to. He is speaking to the children of Israel:

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.
3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.
4 Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 19:1–4.

Good stuff. Moving on let's go further:

16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:16–18.

I love the way the LORD says after concluding His statements with, "I am the LORD!" With Authority, with conviction, and with total Sovereignty over this people to command, to instruct, to lead and guide as a God who has Promised the children of Israel who are the children of Isaac who is a child of Abraham and heir according to the promises God gave to Abraham. OK, now let's see if we both see the same Jesus of the bible. Let me bring out some very important things you may have missed in Leviticus and compare it to what Jesus said in Matthew. First, Leviticus:

16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people (all twelve tribes): neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour (member of the tribe living next to you): I am the LORD.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother (member of the same tribe) in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour (member of the tribe living next to you), and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people (member of any tribe), but thou shalt love thy neighbour (member of the tribe living next to you) as thyself: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:16–18.

I see God giving command to the children of Israel of twelve tribes on who to love (the children of Israel) and how to love in certain circumstances, not exhaustive circumstances but the overall command is for Israel to love only Israel. I see no instruction here for Israel to love anyone else who is not their brother, their neighbor, or the children of their people.



This doesn't provide the scope of the camp. Over three million Hebrews were led out of Egypt by Moses and gathered up by the LORD. Now let's take a read of what Jesus taught the children of Israel of twelve tribes that gathered at the Mount to hear Him teach.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour (member of any other tribe), and hate thine enemy (member of the opposing tribe between two kingdoms).
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Jesus, as King of the Jews makes attempt and calls on the ten northern tribes, and the two southern tribes, to love each other again as they did before when Moses was alive and Joshua, too. Back then they were united under their prophet, Moses, and under their Lawgiver, the LORD. At this time when Jesus walked the Holy Land there was still unresolved animosities between the warring tribes. And they had in the past went to war against each other several times trying to overthrow each other's kingdom. All twelve tribes were represented in this crowd in Jerusalem not counting the Hebrews that remained in Gentile lands when Nehemiah returned with a remnant of Hebrews to rebuild their wall and their cities. How do I know? Because when Peter preached the first sermon, he identifies their presence as among those who were born-again and those of both northern kingdom tribes that didn't when he called them out: "Ye men of Judaea" (southern two tribes - Acts 2:14), and "Ye men of Israel" (northern ten tribes - Acts 2:22.)

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Jesus is addressing the children of Israel and telling them, good or evil - and both northern and southern kingdoms had good and evil kings - and the rain still fell on both kingdoms and the sun rose in its circuit in the sky above both good and evil Israelites.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

Because of the existing animosities between the kingdom tribes Jesus is telling them that if you two southern kingdom tribes only love those of the southern kingdom tribes - Judah and Benjamin - what reward is that? Or if you of the ten northern kingdom tribes love only those that you were allied with against the south, what reward is that?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43–48.

Jesus not only reminds the children of Israel who came to hear Him teach and are definitely all twelve tribes in the crowd since Jesus came to teach the children of Israel of the original command on loving each other but He also brings up what God said back in the desert when Moses was alive that began the instruction our bibles start with in Leviticus 19:1-2 to be ye holy:

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

Or be ye perfect as the LORD who commands you is Perfect (Matt. 5:48.)

The command to the children of Israel from the LORD that saves them is for Israel of twelve tribes to love only Israel of twelve tribes. In all of Scripture there is no command of God to the children of Israel to love the uncircumcised, non-covenant, non-Hebrew Gentiles, and to take Jesus words and twist them to make it as though Jesus is now commanding Israel to love Gentiles is not what God has commanded and is adding to the bible. With that you are also setting yourself up for suffering if you cast your pearls to swine (uncircumcised, non-covenant, non-Hebrew Gentiles) of give that which is holy (God's love) to dogs (uncircumcised, non-covenant, non-Hebrew Gentiles.)

Later, Saul brings out the teaching that love comes with profit in 1 Cor. 13. It was, after all, made to bring blessing and profit among the brethren that obey God and give their holy love to a holy people who are their fellow believing brethren. God, who is love, gave instruction and command to the twelve tribes of Israel to love their fellow brethren and only them for there is no command anywhere in Scripture for Jew to love Gentiles unless that "Gentile" or that "Samaritan" is of the seed of Abraham., and the New Covenant writings from Matthew to Revelation describes mixed heritage Hebrews of Gentile-Jew offspring that if they are the seed of Abraham that they are heirs according to the promise because they are the "nations" God said Abraham and his covenant relationship with God would be a blessing to all the Hebrew families that spring from the seed of Abraham.
Do we see the same LORD of Israel and the same Jesus, King of the Jews?
Or will you still continue to give God's holy love to non-believing, unsaved, non-covenant non-Hebrew dogs and swine? If you do then you are not obedient to God and would rather lean on your own understanding in the vanity of your mind.

 

[jeremiah1five]

Jesus said the "Seed of Abraham" were men who did the "Works" of Abraham. John the Baptist said God could raise up stones to be the seed of Abraham. God said His Law was created for the Homeborn, and the Stranger who adopts their ways. God, though His messenger Isaiah, said:

Is. 56: 6 Also the "sons of the stranger", that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

This is why Paul taught both Jew and Gentile:

God has covenant with Abram the Hebrew and with his seed (descendants.) It is through His covenants that God saves. This is established by the Law of Moses in which as a look forward to when God sends His only Son to be sacrificed for the sins of the children of Israel, God commanded animal sacrifice be made yearly under the Law on Passover to atone for the sins of the children of Israel. When Christ did finally come to the children of Israel, He told the religious leaders that He came to fulfill the Law and this He did by offering Himself as a sacrifice to finally and eternally atone for the sins of the children of Israel according to Scripture and within the dictates of the Law of Moses. Christ did this as substitute for the animal that was sacrificed when He sacrificed Himself upon His cross that fulfilled the Law concerning the animal sacrifice to atone for the sins of the children of Israel according to the Law and also in fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah, who spoke of a time in which God will establish a New Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah to take away their sins and to establish for all eternity to be the God of the House of Israel and the House of Israel have the God of Abraham as their God:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the LORD,
I will put my law in their inward parts,
And write it in their hearts;
And will be their God,
And they shall be my people.
34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour (member of another tribe), and every man his brother (member of the same tribe), saying,
Know the LORD:
For they shall all know me,
From the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD:
For I will forgive their iniquity,
And I will remember their sin no more.
Jeremiah 31:33–34.

This New Covenant was established by the Son, Jesus Christ at His last Passover meal:

26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Matthew 26:26–28.

And applied by the Holy Spirit of Promise PROMISED TO ISRAEL when the Holy Spirit came while the disciples were in the upper room where they had their Passover meal with the Lord Jesus Christ a mere fifty says earlier:

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:1–4.

You say, "This is why Paul taught both Jew and Gentile" to which my response is according to Scripture the covenant called the Abraham Covenant established by God is between God and the seed of Abraham and with his seed, a people known as the children of Israel. In this covenant there are no non-Hebrew Gentiles in this covenant. Thus, in keeping with Scripture and understanding the sacrificial system established by God under the Mosaic Covenant for the yearly atonement of the sins of the children of Israel under the Law and that the only people atoned were those who were under the Law - the children of Israel - and this includes Samaritans who were the mixed heritage offspring of Hebrews and Assyrians and also those mixed heritage Hebrews who did not return with Nehemiah and the remnant in 522 BC to rebuild the wall and in time the Jewish cities, Hebrews who remained in Gentile lands heavily influenced by Greek culture who were even uncircumcised and ignorant of their Hebrew heritage with Abraham, and who were called "Gentile" and not "Jews" in same purpose of heart that the Jews called "Samaritans" of mixed heritage "Samaritans" and not "Jews" and were being born-again in the Gentile lands where they lived, and who were the subject of controversy among the believers because they were uncircumcised and the question of whether they should become circumcised after their conversion to Christ, which question was taken up in 50 AD by the Christian leadership in the Jerusalem Council, who after debate placed four precepts of the Law of Moses upon these Hebrews of mixed heritage such as, "abstaining from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood" (Acts 15:20). These "Gentiles" who grew up in Gentile lands and influenced by Greek culture became born-again because as according to Scripture were the seed of Abraham and heirs according to the Promise.

They were not non-Hebrew Gentiles because God made no covenant of salvation with non-Hebrew Gentiles and the Holy Spirit of Promise was promised to Israel and never to non-Hebrew Gentiles. And the fact that the Jerusalem leadership would not and could not place non-Hebrew Gentiles under these four precepts of the Law for such an act would violate the Scripture and the covenants made with God, as well as cause an uproar with the Jewish people and the religious leaders. At the same time the Jewish Christian leadership which were held in high esteem by the Jewish leaders and the people would suffer serious consequences from the Jews if they were to place non-Hebrew Gentiles under the Law of Moses who are not the seed of Abraham, but there was no uproar because these "Gentiles" were Hebrews of mixed heritage and the simple matter of giving them four precepts of the Law of Moses to follow a simple matter of instructing these mixed heritage Hebrews in the Law and not to be circumcised was a natural thing to do for Hebrews of the seed of Abraham. These "Gentiles" you think are non-Hebrew are in fact mixed heritage Hebrews.

Acts 26: 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they "ALL" should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

You promote a god who judges people according to the DNA they were born with. Paul promoted a God who is no respecter of persons, "Who will render to every man according to his deeds".

God IS a respecter of persons as established by Scripture:

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.

God has respect of persons as established by Scripture:

25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them., Exodus 2:25.

You are free to adopt the religious philosophies or as Paul says: "Yield yourselves servants to obey" any religion you choose. I would advise my brothers to follow Paul's instruction, both Jew and Gentile, to repent, turn to God and bring forth works worthy of repentance, as these are the works we are to be judged by, according to the Holy scriptures.

The instruction to repent advised by Saul to these mixed heritage Hebrews by its very definition requires that those who are called to repent and do their first works would have to be a people that did first works in the first place but fallen away. It is very clear from Jesus who said, "Scripture cannot be broken" meant that Scripture cannot be added to after the fact, and that fact being that for over two millennia God has covenant with the Hebrew people and not with any non-Hebrew Gentiles and that to take "Gentiles" mentioned in Scripture as meaning non-Hebrew Gentiles who are NOT the seed of Abraham would break Scripture and violate the very Word of God. Thus, it is the erroneous interpretation by non-Hebrew Gentiles to take "Gentiles" mentioned Scripture as non-Hebrew is an erroneous interpretation of the Holy Writ.

It was the Hebrews - mixed heritage or otherwise - that Jesus, Peter, and then Saul who were called upon to repent, not non-Hebrews. In one of Saul's letter to the Galatian region he states the truth of the matter here:

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Gal. 4:4–5.

The salvation that is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9) is a salvation that is of the Jews - and NOT non-Hebrew

 

[jeremiah1five]

It seems you haven't read carefully enough this text, jeremiah. I say it respectfully. You seem to read in haste.

The text of Deuteronomy 7:6-9 does not say that God loves only the Hebrew people.
What the text says is that:

1. Verse 6: Israel is holy people in God's eyes. "Holy", as used in the Torah, does not mean "morally good" but sacred, not profane.
2. Verse 6: Israel is special people among (above) all people that are upon the face of earth. Such "above" does not refer to anything else than the category of "special". I could say the same about my mother. "You, Mom, are special to me above all women of earth"
3. Verse 8: God loves Israel because of the oath sworn to their fathers. God may have many other reasons to love the Chinese, other than a covenant.

So, your claim of God loving only the Hebrews based on Deuteronomy 7:6-9 is unsupported and has been refuted.

No, God saves by covenant and God saves the Hebrew people. The whole bible is a record of the history of the relationship between God and the Hebrew people. The New Covenant writings discuss the New Covenant era Israel found itself in and was written by Jewish Christians to and for other Jews and Jewish Christians about the New Covenant established between God and the Hebrew people (House of Israel and Judah) and this also are Hebrew Scripture.
God has no covenant with non-Hebrew Gentiles.
God commanded the animal sacrifice yearly to atone for the sins of the children of Israel leaving non-Hebrew Gentiles for centuries outside the grace and salvation of God. It all started with Egypt and the death of their firstborn and destruction and death of that people. Now, Christ has signed, sealed, and delivered the New Covenant between God and the Hebrew people and He fulfilled the Law meaning He fulfilled also being the lamb of God and His sacrifice for the sins of the children of Israel and Saul among others says so:

4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Gal. 4:4–5.

This is very clear who is being redeemed and they are the children of Israel all the way back to Abraham.
There are hundreds of passages that declare Israel's redemption by God and there's no denying it. God has salvation covenant with Israel and only Israel. That's unmistakable and there's no changing this truth from Scripture.
Jesus came to redeem His people as declared by the angel Gabriel:

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Mt 1:20–21.

Nothing like this is said of non-Hebrew Gentiles because from Abraham to Christ's return it is the Hebrew people who have been saved, are being saved, and shall be saved. God has no covenant with non-Hebrew Gentiles. None. Non-Hebrew Gentiles are all under the judgment of God as an "already condemned" people going back to the Garden until the last trumpet is sounded and the end of history ends with the Hebrew people in their Promised Land and non-Hebrew Gentiles all burned up and destroyed. Who do you think is going to attack Israel when fire from heaven consumes them all?

Non-Hebrew Gentiles.

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Rev. 20:7–10.

You have been infected with false Constantinian Gentile theology that has indoctrinated non-Hebrew Gentiles for 1900 years since the destruction of the Second Jewish Temple. But God's truth is being coming into the light and very soon the truth will be told all over the world exactly what I am telling everyone here. Salvation is OF THE JEWS.

And all Israel shall be saved, a great people as numerous as the sand on the seashore and the stars in the heaven. When you cast off the bondage of the false Gentile theology and look honestly at Scripture maybe you, too, will see the light.

 

[jeremiah1five]

So I have a question. When Paul rebuked Peter for pulling back with sitting with the Gentiles to eat.....these were converts of Paul....what exactly were they converts to? Not to Christ? Seems to me if Paul would have agreed with you he would have told Peter he did a good and wise thing. Didn't though did he. Did exactly the opposite.

They were not non-Hebrew Gentiles. They were mixed heritage Hebrews who grew up in Gentile lands heavily influenced by Greek culture for 15-20 generations since 522BC when Nehemiah returned to the Holy Land with a remnant of Hebrews (about 10% of total) while the 90% of Hebrews remained in Gentile lands where they lived, marrying and intermarrying with Gentiles until Christ began His ministry. By that time these mixed heritage Hebrews were completely ignorant of their Hebrew heritage for many reasons but as long as they are the seed of Abraham, they are heirs according to the promises of God. God knows who they are. The Lord knows them that are His.

The apostles including Saul, Aquila, Priscilla, Apollos, and every born-again Hebrew in the New Covenant writings remained faithful to the Law of Moses and continued to observe everything God said was observable. They continued to celebrate its feasts, practiced the Law as faithfully as they could but this time it was not a burden nor a bondage, they saw the Law of Moses with spiritual eyes and although the new understanding of these things took time and study to come to the knowledge of the truth, when they did there was joy unspeakable and full of new glory.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

No, God saves by covenant and God saves the Hebrew people.

This is not true. Covenants are only one of the many God's methods to attract people to salvation.

• There was no written covenant by which God took Enoch with him.
• No written covenant by which God forgave the people of Nineveh, whose repentance was genuine.
• No written covenant by which God anointed Cyrus, the Zoroastrian king of Persia.
• No written covenant for many people like Cornelius, who have been accepted by God.
• No written covenant for every nation, for which God has appointed fixed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they should seek the Lord so perhaps they might reach for Him and find Him
• No written covenant in the centurion who Jesus praised, and for many who would come "from the east and west" to dine with the seed of Abraham. "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say to you that many will come from the east and west and will dine with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 8:10)

The whole bible is a record of the history of the relationship between God and the Hebrew people.

That's true. The Bible represents mainly the revelation of God to Israel.
I invite you to investigate how the Eternal Word of God is revealed in The Vedas, The Gathas, later on integrated to the Avesta, The Quran and the Sacred Writings of The Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and Abdul Bahá.
,

God commanded the animal sacrifice yearly to atone for the sins of the children of Israel leaving non-Hebrew Gentiles for centuries outside the grace and salvation of God.

That's false. God forgiveness has never ever depended on blood shedding or animal sacrifices.
God's grace is freely extended to those in whom He sees a contrite, broken heart. To those who show to others the mercy they seek for themselves. That's what the Bible teaches clearly and repeatedly.
Therefore, the logical and ethical way to think is that God's grace has reached all members of the species H. sapiens, and perhaps other hominid species with the ability to tell good from evil.

 

[Studyman]

Jesus said the "Seed of Abraham" were men who did the "Works" of Abraham. John the Baptist said God could raise up stones to be the seed of Abraham. God said His Law was created for the Homeborn, and the Stranger who adopts their ways. God, though His messenger Isaiah, said:

Is. 56: 6 Also the "sons of the stranger", that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

This is why Paul taught both Jew and Gentile:

I don't believe in ignoring or rejecting Scriptures just because they don't align with your own personal religious philosophy. I also don't believe one set of God's Words, beat up or are superior to other Words of God. I posted God's Own Words concerning who HE SAID HIS Laws were created for. If you don't believe Him, just say you don't believe Him.

God IS a respecter of persons as established by Scripture:

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.

This is foolishness. If Cain had offered to God an acceptable sacrifice like Abel did, God would have had respect for Cain, just as HE did for Abel. Your Judging of God as unjust, or a racist or bigot is really wicked.

I referenced Paul's words, and you ignored them. Here, I will quote Him directly this time.

Romans 2: 6 Who will render to every man "according to his deeds":

7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man "that doeth evil", (CAIN) of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, (ABEL) to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

11 "For there is no respect of persons with God"

Again, if you don't believe in the Word of God, or the teaching of Paul, just say you don't believe them. Don't continue as if their words don't exist.

 

[jeremiah1five]

You need to expand your knowledge of history, my friend, in addition to a more careful reading of the Scriptures. I say it respectfully

It is exactly my knowledge of history that puts me at odds with the Constantinian Gentile theology put forward by the majority here. It is very ignorant of those Gentiles mindsets espoused by Gentiles who claim the impossible theology of a "Gentile Church" when history records the covenant is between God, Abram the HEBREW, and Abram's HEBREW seed doesn't include non-Hebrews. And no one here can post any verses from Genesis 12, 15, and 17 where God names or mentions non-Hebrews in the Abraham Covenant. No one. So, what does that say? Only that there are no non-Hebrews included in Abram's Hebrew covenant with God. All I read are members who post an erroneous interpretation of Galatians 3:28-29 as proof of Gentiles in the Abraham Covenant despite the fact that Saul is addressing Hebrews who were concerned about their standing in the Abraham Covenant because they were now followers of Christ. They conveniently ignore that Saul is clearly addressing those "under the Law" which he identifies as [a] "schoolmaster" that leads Hebrews to Christ. So, post the verses from Genesis 12, 15, and 17 where the covenant is recorded being made and show me where non-Hebrew Gentiles are named or mentioned in this Hebrew covenant. All you will do is claim "nations" as "Gentiles" and therefore there's their proof completely ignoring that Ishmael and Esau are Abraham's Hebrew seed, mixed Hebrew-Egyptian in Ishmael's birth, but full-blooded Hebrew with Esau's birth, and both as being of Abraham's seed were greatly blessed by God except the Promise went through Jacob/Israel.

The Gentiles who were attracted to Judaism and worshipped God were known as God-fearers or God-worshippers:. phoboumenoi ton Theon (φοβούμενοι τὸν Θεόν) or theosebeis (θεοσεβεῖς). These individuals recognized the One and Only God, and even observed certain Jewish religious rites and traditions without fully converting to Judaism.

Again, how can God "attract" non-Hebrews when He Himself excluded non-Hebrews from the Abraham Covenant? There is no mention of non-Hebrews in the chapters in Genesis where the covenant is recorded. Besides, this, Jews had no dealings with half-Hebrew half-Assyrians called Samaritans, and you think they will accept as being in the Abraham Covenant as full-blooded non-Gentiles?? Where's the statement of "Jews have no dealings with non-Hebrew Gentiles" like there is that the Samaritan woman said, "the Jews have no dealings with Samaritans?" Besides this Saul had to circumcise Timothy (or was it Titus) just to get him into the Temple, something he was accused of bringing a "Gentile" into hallowed ground. Why isn't there any passages of non-Hebrews" worshiping in the Temple alongside Jews? That's because Jews who had no dealings with half-Jews all of a sudden fully accept non-Hebrews?
Give me a break.

This condition had nothing to do with their genetic linage. Jews accepted the donations and contributions of these God-fearers Gentiles.

Again, the Samaritan woman stated that "Jews have no dealings with Samaritans" and you want others to believe Jews had dealings with non-Hebrew Gentiles? That is a no-brainer, and as false as false can get. God Himself excluded all non-Hebrews from His covenant with Abraham. His attitude of non-Hebrew Gentile nations is clear from Isaiah, the prophet who spoke most about God's salvation with Israel:

17 All nations before him are as nothing;
And they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
Isaiah 40:17.

If non-Hebrews were something before God there would be Scripture of Him declaring love for non-Hebrews or that they are His "chosen" or "elect" of SOMETHING!
But there's nothing.
Your theology that non-Hebrews are fellow believers with Jews and Jewish Christians is dead on arrival. Too many unanswered questions exist for that belief. Peter's sermon in Acts is directed towards the twelve tribes. He says nothing to your Gentile "God-Fearers" because there were no non-Hebrews at this Jewish Feast of Harvest at Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit of Promise PRIOMISED TO ISRAEL was poured out upon the three thousand JEWS!
And where is the Scripture saying God promised His Spirit to Gentiles? There is none because it never happened.

Luke made no effort at all to insinuate that Cornelius had a Hebrew heritage and that such was the reason to be accepted by God.

There was no need. Everyone involved knew Cornelius was of mixed heritage. There was no problem a Jew (Peter) and those of the circumcision entering a Jew-Gentiles' house. If Cornelius was a non-Hebrew Gentile, then there would be a problem for the circumcised to enter a Gentile's house.
Luke himself was either a Jew or of mixed heritage for one reason: God commanded the Hebrews to be the possessors of His Word. God would not violate His Word by allowing a non-Hebrew to author two special writings for Him especially with God's attitude towards uncircumcised non-Hebrews who are not even in covenant with Him.
Adding to the bible things that are not written is a favorite tactic of non-Hebrews trying hard to interpret "Gentiles" as being in the Abraham Covenant, but they are silent when asked HOW Gentiles were able to jump over the Mosaic Covenant to get there? Where is the evidence of non-Hebrews hanging out together at the Temple with Jews if Gentiles you call "God-Fearers" were buddy-buddy with the Jews? Why is there no evidence at the time of Gentiles claiming to be in the Abraham Covenant prior to Jesus' arrival? Or even during. Surely, He would interact with these fringe groups like He interacted with a Samaritan woman who Scripture declares is Abraham's seed and worthy of Jesus' attention. Jesus' reference in John 10 or an "other flock" cannot be two groups (Gentile and mixed heritage Hebrews) otherwise He would say "other flocks" (plural.) The theology of non-Hebrews in Scripture having anything inclusive having to do with Hebrew salvation is clearly missing from the text of Scripture. It is a non-Hebrew Gentile erroneous interpretation problem that has spread out through 1900 years and you're part of the error.

On the contrary, he emphasizes that Peter considered him unclean, and that the Christians in Judea considered him unclean. Therefore, whatever the hidden lineage Cornelius could have had, it was of no importance at the time of considering him a Gentile.
The virtue Luke gives to Cornelius in Acts 10 is his righteousness, not his lineage.

Jews considered mixed heritage Hebrews as "unclean" due to their family lineage. Jews had no dealings with half-Jew Samaritans and you're going to hold up that full-blooded Gentiles were well received? Inconsistent and false.

CONCLUSION:
Your claim about an allegedly mixed Hebrew heritage of Cornelius as the reason that allowed Peter to preach to him, or to be accepted by God, is unsupported. It has been refuted.

Incorrect.
The Jews had no dealings with mixed heritage Samaritans and you're going to maintain that Jews accepted non-Hebrew Gentiles? That is inconsistent with Scripture.
The "other flock" Jesus said in John 10 He was going to bring in and make one with the Hebrews are mixed heritage Hebrews. Take a look at something:

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
16 And other ("allos") sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John 10:15–16.

Let me set this up:
There is no doubt there is difference between Jew and non-Hebrew Gentiles. There is a world of difference since one is seed of the woman and the other the seed of the serpent. Not only that but God made them to be different the moment He made covenant with Abram the HEBREW and not with NON-Hebrews (Gentiles.) And when God commanded Abraham to circumcise himself created a difference and a separation and those of his household were circumcised (those of his household were NOT Hebrew and although he circumcised them, they were NOT in the covenant because the covenant is with Abraham and a seed not yet born of his loins.) When God commanded circumcision God stamped both groups with an eternal separation and difference that Jews understood and accepted as God-ordained difference and separation, a separation that would be further cut off when the Mosaic Law was given to the children of Israel.

Beginning in Galatians 1:6 Saul writes about completed Judaism (Christianity - Messiah has arrived) and incomplete Judaism (belief Messiah hasn't arrived) and he says:

6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another ("heteros") gospel:
7 Which is not another ("allos") but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:6–9.

In Galatians 1:6-7 is one English word "another" used but it translates two different Greek words: heteros and allos.
"heteros" means "another of a different kind." (Example: you have five pens of different makers -shapes, size, color.)
"allos." means "another of the same kind." (Example: you have five pens, all the same kind, shape, size, color.)

Saul is referencing the good news gospel of Judaism, gospel of another kind in verse 6; and Christianity in verse 7, gospel of the same kind.
The word "allos" is used in John 10:16 meaning the sheep in verse 15 is sheep of the same kind in verse 16. The only interpretation is that the Hebrew sheep and the mixed Hebrew sheep are not another of a different kind (non-Hebrew) but sheep of the same kind (Hebrew and mixed Hebrew.) The "other flock" Jesus is referring to in John 10 are Hebrews and mixed heritage Hebrews which He says are the same (under Abraham Covenant and his seed) kind. And the interaction of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well indicates that her half-Hebrew biology includes her in the Abraham Covenant because she is Abraham's seed. Thus, the flocks that Jesus joins together are not Hebrew and non-Hebrew but Hebrew and mixed Hebrew since they are sheep of the same kind: Hebrew.
Nowhere in Scripture is there any joining of the Hebrews and Gentiles since they are different ethnicity and race, one is circumcised which God separates the races and the other is not and outside all three Hebrew covenants.

The only refuting going on here is your belief that Jews and Gentiles are in the same Hebrew covenant.
Impossible.
They are not the same race nor are they of the same ethnicity. God made sure of that by making covenant promises with Abram the Hebrew and circumcision is the sign that separates them from each other.

 

[jeremiah1five]

So, you claim that Paul, without any DNA test at hand, in a foreign city, somehow knew that the people at the Areopagus, who did not worship as Jews, did not think as Jews, did not read Jewish literature, did not practice Jewish rituals, were actually half-Hebrews... or 10% Hebrews... or 1% Hebrews... and that is why Paul accepted to preach to them.

They are called "Gentile" in the New Covenant writings by the Jews the same way Samaritans are called Samaritan and not Jew by the Jews. The element of Gentile in their genes lowered their acceptance by the Jews as Jews. The DNA test is the Scripture IN MY HAND.

Luke is very clear throughout the Book of Acts in all instances in which Paul sought first for Hebrews and preached to them in the synagogues. So, we should ask ourselves:

• Why would Luke want to hide the fact that Paul also preached to Jews at the Areopagus?

He didn't.

• Why would Luke mention specifically that Pitagorean or Stoic philosophers had invited him? He had just mentioned that Paul was debating with Jews at the synagogue and marketplace, hadn't he? Why then to introduce such non-Hebrew element to the story?

Not non-Hebrews. Mixed Heritage Hebrews who were heavily influenced by Greek culture (Hellenized.)
They grew us as Gentile and knew nothing or some of their Hebrew heritage.

• Why would Luke put in Paul's mouth a speech that assumed no previous knowledge of the Torah or YHWH by his audience?

Would you remain Italian if the last 15-20 generations of your family descendants grew up in Germany married to Germans?

Luke wanted to emphasize the Gentile nature of the Gentiles Paul preached to.

Scripture cannot be broken, and no amount of erroneous interpretation will break Scripture because God's promises are as a rock. God thinks "nothing" of Gentile nations, didn't include them in any of the Hebrew covenants, and when Jesus returns He fights and defeats Gentiles at the last battle as Gentiles are at war with Israel. Mixed heritage Hebrews are not at war with Israel, but Gentile nations (non-Hebrews.)
God told Saul to take a message to Hebrews and Gentiles (mixed heritage Hebrews) because God needed to gather His people from where He sent them scattered among Gentiles.

16 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. 17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. Ezekiel 11:16–17.

They were remaining in Gentile lands living influenced by Greek culture for 15-20 generations counting from 722BC when Assyria took the ten northern kingdom tribes away and in 586BC when the Babylonians took the two southern kingdom tribes away and in these hundreds of years the majority of those 90% that remained in Gentile lands and did not return with the 10% remnant with Nehemiah I'm sure did not remain committed to their Hebrew heritage and culture for God knew they would intermarry and mix it up with Gentiles for that was His plan.


10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations,
And declare it in the isles afar off, and say,
He that scattered Israel will gather him,
And keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
Jeremiah 31:10.

11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and udark day.
13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
Eze 34:11–13.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Revelation 5:9–10.

Luke made no attempt whatosever to point out to a possible mixed Hebrew lineage.

He didn't need to.

CONCLUSION:
Your claim that Paul knew he would preach to genetically hybrid Hebrews in the Areopagus is unsupported.

Areopagus is not in Israel where Jews live. Asia Minor is Gentile land and that's exactly where God scattered His people. Talk about who knows what about history. Ninety percent of all Hebrews alive in the first century AD lived in Gentile lands. That's a lot of reaching out by God to tell them their Messiah had come for that was what the good news gospel Saul heralded and so did the disciples. Plus, Jewish Christians who returned to their homes and synagogues in Gentile lands after Pentecost were the ones who actually spread the good news about their Holy Spirit of Promise, their Messiah and King, and their experience in being bathed in the Holy Spirit. Joy unspeakable and full of what?
Glory.
And these were things taking place among the Jews. Only the Jews.
Of the Jews, for the Jews, and by the Jews.
It was, after all, a covenant between Abram the Hebrew and his Hebrew seed.

 

[jeremiah1five]

That's not true.

The gospels don't preach God's love based on a genetically based covenant.
On the contrary, they minimize the fact of being descendants from Abraham, as our friend @Studyman has already pointed out.

You contradict Scripture again: Abraham (father), Isaac (son), Jacob (grandson) Jacob's twelve sons (children of Israel), children of Israel and their descendants to the present is a family covenant. Nepotism at its finest and it is God-ordained.

The gospels emphasize repentance as the basis of salvation, and love as main principle of life.

The gospels emphasize the mission of the disciples/apostles and Saul to go into Gentile lands where the majority of Israelites remained instead of return with the remnant and Nehemiah in 522BC with a message to herald to them who were oblivious of Jesus' arrival that Israel's Messiah had come and to recount to them what transpired concerning His life, what He taught, and what it meant to their two covenants (Abraham and Mosaic) and the arrival of God's Spirit poured out upon Hebrew flesh as Promised by God through the prophet Joel. It was important to God that His people be made aware that in all these events of the thirty years of Messiah's life and what His death and subsequent resurrection did to bring about God's Promises to Abraham and his seed and to finally and eternally deliver and redeem God's Chosen people from their main nemesis: sin and death. From the promise of the seed of the woman in the Garden to the fulfillment of the birth of Christ, the message from God to the children of Israel that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has kept His Promise to send a Deliverer and Prophet like unto Moses was fulfilled. THIS is the good news gospel of God to His people the children of Israel, a people who waited centuries for Jehovah to act and deliver His people.

The word "covenant" is mentioned 283 times in the Tanakh.
However, Jesus only pronounced that word once (recorded in Mark 14:24 and Matthew 26:28)
In that instance, and in contrast with the covenants pronounced in Deuteronomy and Jeremiah, Jesus doesn't say "Israel", but "many" as the people entering the covenant.

Isaiah prophesied "many" and Mark prophesied "many" and Saul prophesied "All." Depending on the perspective it comes down to the last statement by Saul in context to those he wrote to. The final Word from the first belong to God in Jeremiah 31:31-34 in which God makes a New Covenant which is the fulfillment of the Mosaic Covenant by Jesus Christ as lamb of God sent to redeem God's people and to set in motion the final prophecies of an eternity possessed by the Hebrew people whom God identifies as His Bride" and Church" of "called out [ones]" to be with Him forever. A plan contemplated in the Mind of God before - and the reason - He created heaven, earth, and man.

So, although Jesus preached so emphatically about the Kingdom of God in public, in front of crowds, Jesus made no reference at all to the covenant. He had to wait three years, do it in the intimate environment of his apostles, and do it not for Israel, but for "many". Interesting, isn't it?

Minimal at best. Jesus doesn't have to say anything about "covenant" or "promises." It was there in front of the children of Israel. As Jesus said in response to the religious leaders who demanded to know if He was the "Christ" (Messiah) and His response said it all: "I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one." John 10:24–30.

Jesus came to do His Father's will. It was up to the people who knew of the signs to discern whether He was the One John the Baptist said, "that should come or do we look to another."

19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
20 When the men were come unto him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
21 And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight.
22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Lk 7:19–23.

Jesus didn't have to say anything. His works spoke for itself.

Instead, He said to Nicodemus: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."

Jesus Christ was Promised to Israel. Jesus was sent to Israel. Jesus taught Israel. Jesus died for Israel. Jesus was raised from the tomb for Israel. Jesus was raised up to the Father in glory having sone everything and more of what Moses and the prophets of Israel said about Him.

I think it is clear that the "world" and the Scripture that supports the deliverance and redemption by a Prophet like unto Moses that it all has to do with Israel at God's appointed time.

Scripture declares that God loves Israel in Deuteronomy 7 and that God will save those He loves and leave the rest of those He does not love to their fate of eternal separation from God. This was the case when the first animals were sacrificed in the desert by and for the children of Israel and fulfilled finally and eternally by the Delivered to and for the children of Israel.
The Hebrew Scripture record and describe the preparation of Messiah for the children of Israel, and the New Covenant writings record and describe the preparation of the children of Israel for Messiah. It is a record of the relationship between God and God's Chosen people. If that isn't plain enough for you without adding to the Scripture things that are not written there then I'd say the false Constantinian Gentile theology bias has griped you too far beyond being redeemed.
Have you ever studied what exactly is that "strong delusion" God Himself was to send into the world? It is a Delusion God ordained to coincide with the "Times of the Gentiles." Just as God sent the Assyrians against the ten northern tribes, to conquer them and cause them to go into exile and then turn around and judge Assyria for attacking Israel; and God sending Babylon against the two southern kingdom tribes, to conquer them and cause them to go into exile and then to judge Babylon for attacking Judah. It will be the same with the Times of the Gentiles, a time that will end with the destruction of the non-Hebrew Gentile nations in similar fashion as when God destroyed Israel and their Temple. It is the false interpretative theology of non-Hebrew Gentiles of non-Hebrew Gentiles becoming saved through the Hebrew Covenants. It is so strong that you yourself are having great difficulty 1900 years after the delusion was crafted of seeing the truth through a delusion of lies.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

You contradict Scripture again: Abraham (father), Isaac (son), Jacob (grandson) Jacob's twelve sons (children of Israel), children of Israel and their descendants to the present is a family covenant. Nepotism at its finest and it is God-ordained.

Your beliefs contradict Scripture: God can raise children of Abraham out of stones.
If people want to be children of Abraham, they must DO what Abraham did. Lineage is given not by DNA, but by righteousness.

Minimal at best. Jesus doesn't have to say anything about "covenant" or "promises."

But He had a lot to say about salvation.
And in talking about salvation, He emphasized repantence and love.
He minimized the importance of genetic lineage. He praised the faith of a Roman Centurion who was not a child of Israel. He said that Nineveh people had repented.

Jesus Christ was Promised to Israel.

God has promised Messiahs to other peoples as well, BEFORE messianism appeared in Judaism.
God promised the Saoshyan through Zoroaster and the Maitreya through Buddha.
Hindis expect the coming of the Tenth Buddha.

Later on, and without any cultural connection to Judaism, in Mexico God promised the return of Quetzalcoatl, the Winged Serpent, from the east. The wings are symbol of wind, spirit, and the role of messenger. The serpent is a symbol of Wisdom and Salvation.

Jesus was sent to Israel. Jesus taught Israel. Jesus died for Israel. Jesus was raised from the tomb for Israel. Jesus was raised up to the Father in glory having sone everything and more of what Moses and the prophets of Israel said about Him.

I think it is clear that the "world" and the Scripture that supports the deliverance and redemption by a Prophet like unto Moses that it all has to do with Israel at God's appointed time.

Scripture declares that God loves Israel in Deuteronomy 7 and that God will save those He loves and leave the rest of those He does not love to their fate of eternal separation from God.

Scripture declares that God

• loves the world,
• makes rain pour on good and bad person
• has righteous people in all nations that he accepts
• sent his Jesus to "atone" for the sins of all people: He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2.2)

the false Constantinian Gentile theology bias has griped you too far beyond being redeemed.

My friend: I don't believe in the Trinity. Why, then, do you accuse me constantly of being griped by the false Constantinian Gentile theology?
Prophet Mohammed and Bahá'u'lláh are not the product of false Constantinian Gentile theology. Why, then, do you accuse me constantly of being griped by the false Constantinian Gentile theology?

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

Would you remain Italian if the last 15-20 generations of your family descendants grew up in Germany married to Germans?

I would not remain Italian... and that's exactly my point.
If a bird swims like duck, quaks like duck, and behaves as a duck it should be treated as a duck.
If a man thinks like a pagan, speaks as a pagan and behaves as a pagan, he is a pagan, no matter if he could track his lineage to Hebrews.

For Paul, people at the Areopagus were pagans and addressed them as pagans.
That's why I say that Paul didn't have any DNA test on hand.

 

[Pancho Frijoles]

The DNA test is the Scripture IN MY HAND.

Then I respectfully ask you to reject Scripture as your DNA test.
God reveals his truth through DNA and particle physics as much as He reveals his truth in the Book of Genesis or Revelation.

Paul could not possibly know who had Hebrew genetic lineage among his audience.
In fact, it is very likely that the vast majority of people on earth have some % of their DNA originated in Jews, or in Semitic people who have been mixed with Jews.

Any doctrine that makes salvation dependent of ethnicity is false and much closer to Nazism that to Judaism.
Why don't you ask Jew rabbis of your neighborhood if God loves the non-Hebrew? Don't you think that they have a say on this?

 

[jeremiah1five]

Acts 10; The Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles. Cornelius and his family were Italian Romans! That’s about as Gentile as it gets, and even the Jewish Christians were astonished that the Holy Spirit was given to non-Jews.

(Don’t give me your Cornelius was part Jew; you have nothing but your circular reasoning as proof, for scripture says they were Gentiles, not half breed Jews like the Samaratins.

These "Gentiles" were mixed heritage Hebrews who were called "Gentile" because they are the offspring of Hebrew-Gentiles who remained in Gentile lands since the 722 BC Assyrian conquest and subsequent exile of the Jews when Nehemiah and his remnant returned to Israel to rebuild the wall in 522 BC. From this date approximately 15-20 generations of Hebrews remained in Gentile lands heavily influenced by Greek culture (Hellenized.) They lost their Hebrew religion and heritage and grew up uncircumcised and mostly ignorant of their Hebrew heritage. These mixed heritage Hebrews were called "Gentile" and not Jew by the overall population of Jews in the same prejudice as mixed heritage Hebrews were called "Samaritan" and not "Jew" by Jews of the first century. There was real disgust of Hebrews that were the offspring of the Assyrian conquest whether through rape, marriage to survive, concubinage and slavery.

It is not hard to reason out if you look at the narrative and history of the events of the Assyrian and Babylonian conquest of Israel and the events recorded in Scripture. There is a history of 90% of all Hebrews that remained in Gentile lands and did not return with a remnant (10%) and Nehemiah in 522 BC. This population cannot be dismissed. There is real history of the offspring of Hebrews that remained in Gentile lands for 15-20 generations until Christ arrived in the first century AD. One thing is that in the Hebrew Scripture which is the basis of how one interprets the New Testament and the statement by Jesus that "Scripture cannot be broken" meaning cannot change or be altered or added to after the fact. True Christianity interprets Scripture in this light and yet the majority of Gentile theology must add to the bible in order to remain significant as a religious group.

Many truths are violated by non-Hebrew Gentiles who have taken the New Covenant writings by Saul and interpreted them from the viewpoint of non-Hebrews mindset trying to understand a Hebrew history and culture and religion as a Gentile and not as a Hebrew. Several truths from the Hebrew Scriptures are overlooked and even outright contradicted in order to establish a Gentile "Christian Church" in the world by breaking Scripture in many places. One such break with truth of the Hebrew Scripture is that when the Abraham Covenant was made between God and Abram the Hebrew that there are no non-Hebrews named or mentioned as being in this covenant with the father of the Hebrew people. Genesis 12, 15, and 17 where the covenant promises are made with Abram there is no mention of non-Hebrew Gentiles being included in this covenant. As a matter of biblical history, no Gentiles are mentioned included in the Mosaic and New Covenants. Another break with Scripture is that the Holy Spirit was promised by God to the Hebrew people in Joel. Nowhere in the bible do we find any passage or verse stating God promised to pour out His Spirit to non-Hebrew Gentiles. And yet the interpretation of New Covenant writings all interprets God giving His Spirit to non-Hebrew Gentiles despite being unable to provide biblical and Scriptural support for such doctrine.

 

[jeremiah1five]

This is not true. Covenants are only one of the many God's methods to attract people to salvation.

God doesn't attract anyone. He calls everyone to Himself that are included in their obedience to Him and according to His covenants with those He's made promise to and those He's made promise to are Abraham and his seed.

• There was no written covenant by which God took Enoch with him.

Before the salvation covenants were made, initially with Abram the Hebrew (Gen. 14:13), and subsequently with his seed (Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob's descendants through his twelve sons/tribes, God dealt with the obedient "seed of the woman." Enoch was one of them. So was Seth.

• No written covenant by which God forgave the people of Nineveh, whose repentance was genuine.

Their repentance had nothing to do with eternal salvation nor was any covenant made for that purpose. It was basically God telling the Ninevites, "You're evil. I'm going to destroy you. Repent from your evil."
Jonah says they did. But very soon God destroyed them anyway. There was no talk of eternal salvation or having a covenant for that purpose like the Hebrews had in theirs. You can't equate "repentance" everywhere you may see the word with eternal salvation. The word "repentance" merely means "changing ones' mind." God told the Ninevites to "change your mind" about the evil you do in my sight, or I will destroy you.

• No written covenant by which God anointed Cyrus, the Zoroastrian king of Persia.

There is nothing in Scripture Cyrus was a Zoroastrian. Nor is there any Scripture Cyrus was "anointed" of the Holy Spirit.

• No written covenant for many people like Cornelius, who have been accepted by God.

Cornelius was a mixed heritage Hebrew. He's already covered by the Abraham Covenant.

• No written covenant for every nation, for which God has appointed fixed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they should seek the Lord so perhaps they might reach for Him and find Him

God has no covenant with "every" Gentile nation. The word "nation" in the OT depending on the context referred at one point in history to the Hebrew people, such as "nation" of Israel.

• No written covenant in the centurion who Jesus praised, and for many who would come "from the east and west" to dine with the seed of Abraham. "Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say to you that many will come from the east and west and will dine with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 8:10)

The centurion was mixed heritage Hebrew. He wasn't Italian. Since Rome forced those they defeated into conscription in their army the majority of the Roman army was not Italian.

That's true. The Bible represents mainly the revelation of God to Israel.

You've added a period to your statement but then you add.

I invite you to investigate how the Eternal Word of God is revealed in The Vedas, The Gathas, later on integrated to the Avesta, The Quran and the Sacred Writings of The Báb, Bahá'u'lláh and Abdul Bahá.

The Word of God was given to the Hebrew people.

,
That's false. God forgiveness has never ever depended on blood shedding or animal sacrifices.
God's grace is freely extended to those in whom He sees a contrite, broken heart. To those who show to others the mercy they seek for themselves. That's what the Bible teaches clearly and repeatedly.

No, it doesn't. You conflate and add to Scripture. God ordained and commanded animal sacrifice in Egypt as protection for the children of Israel. When the Holy Spirit saw the blood on the door frame of a Hebrew home God PASSOVERED" that home and spared those inside it. From this came the yearly observance of Passover and the animal sacrifice which God for one year Passed-over those the blood of the sacrifice was applied to and in the case of the Mosaic Covenant that was to come later, God passed over the Hebrew people.

Therefore, the logical and ethical way to think is that God's grace has reached all members of the species H. sapiens, and perhaps other hominid species with the ability to tell good from evil.

That's fine and dandy, but God made covenant with Abram whom God described as a Hebrew in Genesis 14:13, and being Hebrew meant that person was a descendant of Eber.