Gospel to the Gentiles bible study

 

            At first the gospel of Jesus was to go to the Jews and then to the Gentiles (and would really go to the Gentiles as described in the book of Acts in many spots as many Jews would not hear the gospel of Christ and Jesus Himself faced much resistance too) but even during the ministry of Jesus He did a couple of things for the Gentiles. I am starting this study with two examples of Jesus ministering to Gentiles; the first is in Matthew 8 where Jesus is able to speak a word to heal the centurion’s servant

(Matthew 8:5)  Now when He had entered Capernaum, a centurion approached Him, begging Him,

 

(Matthew 8:6)  and saying, "Lord, my servant has been laid up in the house a paralytic, being tormented terribly."

 

(Matthew 8:7)  And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

 

(Matthew 8:8)  The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But just say the word and my servant will be healed.

 

(Matthew 8:9)  For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

 

(Matthew 8:10)  When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who were following, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!

 

(Matthew 8:11)  And I say to you that many shall come from east and west, and recline to eat with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven;

 

(Matthew 8:12)  but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

 

(Matthew 8:13)  Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go; and as you believed, may it be unto you." And his servant was healed that same hour.

 

The other one where Jesus ministered to a Gentile is in Matthew chapter 15 where Jesus deliver’s a daughter of a Canaanite woman from a demon that she was possessed with and that made the girl well

(Matthew 15:21)  And going out from there, Jesus withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon.

 

(Matthew 15:22)  And behold, a Canaanite woman coming forth from that region cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."

 

(Matthew 15:23)  But He answered her not a word. And His disciples approached and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."

 

(Matthew 15:24)  But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

 

(Matthew 15:25)  Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!"

 

(Matthew 15:26)  But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and to throw it to the little dogs."

 

(Matthew 15:27)  But she said, "Yes, Lord, for even the little dogs eat from the crumbs falling from their masters' table."

 

(Matthew 15:28)  Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

 

Next I am placing in the whole conversion of Saul episode in Acts chapter 9 for as it says there Saul who would be Paul was to be used as a missionary to the Gentiles, as Jesus appears to and explains this to Ananias who was told to pray for Paul’s sight and for Paul to receive the Holy Spirit.

(Acts 9:1)  Then Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

 

(Acts 9:2)  and requested from him letters of authority to the synagogues of Damascus, that if he should find any who were of the Way, both men or women, he might bring them, having been bound, to Jerusalem.

 

(Acts 9:3)  And as he was going, it came about that he drew near to Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.

 

(Acts 9:4)  And falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"

 

(Acts 9:5)  And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.

 

(Acts 9:6)  "But stand up and enter into the city, and it will be spoken to you what you must do."

 

(Acts 9:7)  And the men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

 

(Acts 9:8)  And Saul arose from the ground, and although his eyes were open, he saw no one; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.

 

(Acts 9:9)  And he was three days not seeing, and neither ate nor drank.

 

(Acts 9:10)  Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, "Behold I am here, Lord."

 

(Acts 9:11)  And the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and seek out in the house of Judas, a man named Saul, of Tarsus; for behold, he is praying.

 

(Acts 9:12)  And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, in order that he might see again."

 

(Acts 9:13)  But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how many wicked things he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem;

 

(Acts 9:14)  and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who are calling on Your name."

 

(Acts 9:15)  But the Lord said to him, "Go your way, for he is a chosen vessel to Me to bear My name before Gentiles and kings, and the sons of Israel.

 

(Acts 9:16)  For I will show him all the things that he must suffer for My name's sake."

 

(Acts 9:17)  And Ananias departed and entered the house; and putting his hands on him, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, the One who appeared to you in the way which you were coming, so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

 

(Acts 9:18)  And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he saw again; and arising, he was baptized,

 

(Acts 9:19)  and when he received food, he was strengthened. Now Saul was with the disciples in Damascus three days.

 

(Acts 9:20)  And immediately in the synagogues he was proclaiming Christ, that He is the Son of God.

 

(Acts 9:21)  And all those who heard were astounded, and were saying, "Is this not the one who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might take them having been bound, to the chief priests?"

 

(Acts 9:22)  But Saul all the more was growing strong, and was confounding the Jews who were dwelling in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

 

Next I put up the incident of Peter and Cornelius and Peter going to Cornelius and  this trip resulted with Cornelius and his people being converted and saved, receiving the Holy Spirit as well, which is the first big conversion of the gentiles but by far from the last.

(Acts 10:1)  Now there was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment,

 

(Acts 10:2)  a devout man, and one that feared God, together with all his household, who often gave alms to the people, and making petition to God always.

 

(Acts 10:3)  About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, "Cornelius!"

 

(Acts 10:4)  And looking intently at him and becoming fearful he said, "What is it, lord?" And he said to him, "Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God.

 

(Acts 10:5)  Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter.

 

(Acts 10:6)  He is staying as a guest with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is beside the sea."

 

(Acts 10:7)  Now when the angel who had been speaking to Cornelius had departed, he called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually.

 

(Acts 10:8)  And explaining to them everything, he sent them to Joppa.

 

(Acts 10:9)  Now on the next day, as they were traveling and drawing near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, at about the sixth hour.

 

(Acts 10:10)  And he became hungry and wanted to eat; but while they were preparing, a trance fell on him.

 

(Acts 10:11)  And he saw heaven having been opened, and descending to him a certain vessel like a great sheet, having been bound at the four corners, and being let down upon the ground,

 

(Acts 10:12)  in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild animals, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven.

 

(Acts 10:13)  And there came a voice to him, "Arise, Peter; kill and eat."

 

(Acts 10:14)  But Peter said, "Not at all, Lord! For never did I eat anything common or unclean."

 

(Acts 10:15)  And a voice spoke again the second time to him, "That which God has made clean, you must not make common."

 

(Acts 10:16)  And this happened three times, and again the vessel was taken up into heaven.

 

(Acts 10:17)  Now as Peter was very perplexed within himself as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius, having found by inquiry the house of Simon, stood at the gateway.

 

(Acts 10:18)  And they called and asked whether Simon, whose surname was Peter, was lodging there.

 

(Acts 10:19)  Now while Peter pondered about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, men are seeking you.

 

(Acts 10:20)  Arise therefore, go down and go with them, with no wavering; for I have sent them."

 

(Acts 10:21)  And Peter, going down to the men, said, "Behold, I am he whom you seek. What is the reason for which you are here?"

 

(Acts 10:22)  And they said, "Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and fearing God, having a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews, was given a revelation by a holy angel to send for you to his house, and to hear words from you."

 

(Acts 10:23)  Therefore he invited them in and received them as guests. Now on the next day Peter went forth with them, and some brothers from Joppa went with him.

 

(Acts 10:24)  And on the next day they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his relatives and close friends.

 

(Acts 10:25)  Now when it happened that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshipped him.

 

(Acts 10:26)  But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself am also a man."

 

(Acts 10:27)  And talking with him he went in, and found many having gathered,

 

(Acts 10:28)  and he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to associate with or to approach a Gentile; and yet God has shown to me that I should call no man common or unclean;

 

(Acts 10:29)  therefore also without objecting, I came when I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?"

 

(Acts 10:30)  So Cornelius said, "From the fourth day until this hour I was fasting, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in shining clothing,

 

(Acts 10:31)  and said, 'Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered before God.

 

(Acts 10:32)  Send therefore to Joppa and summon Simon, whose surname is Peter. He is staying as a guest in the house of Simon, a tanner, beside the sea. Who arriving, will speak to you.'

 

(Acts 10:33)  "Therefore immediately I sent to you, and you have done well to come. Now then we are all present before God, to hear all the things having been commanded you by God."

 

(Acts 10:34)  And Peter, opening his mouth, said: "In truth I comprehend that God is not One to show partiality.

 

(Acts 10:35)  But in every nation, he that fears Him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him.

 

(Acts 10:36)  The word which God sent to the sons of Israel, preaching the good news of peace through Jesus Christ--He being Lord of all--

 

(Acts 10:37)  you know, the word coming to be throughout all of Judea, and beginning from Galilee after the baptism which John proclaimed,

 

(Acts 10:38)  Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all those who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him.

 

(Acts 10:39)  And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they also killed by hanging on a tree.

 

(Acts 10:40)  This Jesus God raised on the third day, and granted Him to become visible,

 

(Acts 10:41)  not to all the people, but to witnesses, who having been chosen beforehand by God, even to us, who ate together and drank together with Him after He arose from the dead.

 

(Acts 10:42)  And He commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to testify solemnly that He is the One having been appointed by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

 

(Acts 10:43)  To Him all the prophets bear witness, that through His name, everyone believing in Him shall receive forgiveness of sins."

 

(Acts 10:44)  While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those hearing the word.

 

(Acts 10:45)  And those of the circumcision who believed were astounded, as many as had come with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

 

(Acts 10:46)  For they heard them speaking in tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter answered,

 

(Acts 10:47)  Surely no one can forbid water, can he, that these should not be baptized who received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

 

(Acts 10:48)  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay for some days.

 

(Acts 11:1)  Now the apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that even the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

 

(Acts 11:2)  And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were contending with him,

 

(Acts 11:3)  saying, "You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!"

 

(Acts 11:4)  But beginning, Peter was setting forth to them in order, saying,

 

(Acts 11:5)  "I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel coming down like a great sheet, being lowered by the four corners from heaven; and it came as far as me;

 

(Acts 11:6)  on which, looking intently, I was contemplating, and I saw the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and birds of the heaven.

 

(Acts 11:7)  And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Arise, Peter; kill and eat.'

 

(Acts 11:8)  "But I said, 'By no means, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has ever entered into my mouth.'

 

(Acts 11:9)  "But the voice answered me a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, you must not make common.'

 

(Acts 11:10)  "And this was done three times, and again all things were drawn up into heaven.

 

(Acts 11:11)  And behold, immediately three men stood before the house in which I was, having been sent from Caesarea to me.

 

(Acts 11:12)  And the Spirit said to me to go with them, without wavering. Now these six brothers also went with me, and we entered into the house of the man.

 

(Acts 11:13)  And he related to us how he had seen the angel in his house, standing and saying to him, 'Send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter,

 

(Acts 11:14)  'who will speak words to you by which you and all your household shall be saved.'

 

(Acts 11:15)  "And when I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as also on us in the beginning.

 

(Acts 11:16)  And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'

 

(Acts 11:17)  "If then God has given to them the same gift as He gave to us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?"

 

(Acts 11:18)  And hearing these things, they remained silent, and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted even to the Gentiles repentance unto life."

 

In Acts 13 the Gentiles sought the word preached them which caused the Jews to be filled with jealousy and persecute Paul, and although many Gentiles were saved the persecution from the Jews forced Paul to leave the area

(Acts 13:42)  Now as the Jews were going out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be spoken to them the next Sabbath.

 

(Acts 13:43)  And when the synagogue service was broken up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

 

(Acts 13:44)  On the coming Sabbath, almost all the city was assembled to hear the word of God.

 

(Acts 13:45)  And the Jews, seeing the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and spoke against the things being said by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

 

(Acts 13:46)  But Paul and Barnabas, speaking boldly said, "It was necessary for the word of God to be spoken to you first; but since you thrust it away, and judge yourselves not worthy of eternal life; behold, we turn to the Gentiles.

 

(Acts 13:47)  For so the Lord has commanded us: 'I have set you to be a light of the nations, that you should be for salvation to the end of the earth.' "

 

(Acts 13:48)  Now when the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

 

(Acts 13:49)  And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.

 

(Acts 13:50)  But the Jews incited the devout and prominent women and the leading men of the city, raised up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and cast them out from their borders.

 

(Acts 13:51)  But shaking off the dust from their feet against them, they went to Iconium.

 

(Acts 13:52)  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

In Acts chapters 14 and 15 the report on how the door of faith has been opened to the gentiles and had to deal with a controversy from some over and about circumcision and not circumcision, and sent a letter out to all believers, Gentile and Jew

(Act 14:27)  Now arriving and gathering the church together, they related all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith for the Gentiles.

 

(Acts 14:28)  And they spent a long time there with the disciples.

 

(Acts 15:1)  And certain men coming down from Judea were teaching the brothers, "If you are not circumcised in the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

 

(Acts 15:2)  Therefore when there arose a serious dissension and debate with Paul and Barnabus, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue.

 

(Acts 15:3)  Therefore, being sent forth by the church, they were passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail about the conversion of the Gentiles; and they were causing great joy to all the brothers.

 

(Acts 15:4)  And having come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they declared all that God had done with them.

 

(Acts 15:5)  But some of those from the sect of the Pharisees rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."

 

(Acts 15:6)  And the apostles and elders gathered together to see about this matter.

 

(Acts 15:7)  And after much dispute, Peter arose and said to them: "Men, brothers, you know that from early days God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

 

(Acts 15:8)  And God, the knower of hearts, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as also He did to us,

 

(Acts 15:9)  and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

 

(Acts 15:10)  Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

 

(Acts 15:11)  But through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we believe that we will be saved in the same manner as they."

 

(Acts 15:12)  Then all the multitude stopped speaking and listened to Barnabas and Paul telling as many signs and wonders as God had done among the Gentiles through them.

 

(Acts 15:13)  Now after they had finished speaking, James answered, saying, "Men and brothers, listen to me:

 

(Acts 15:14)  Simon has declared how God first visited them to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.

 

(Acts 15:15)  And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

 

(Acts 15:16)  "After this I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen; and its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,

 

(Acts 15:17)  in order that the rest of men may seek out the LORD, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the LORD who does all these things.'

 

(Acts 15:18)  "Known from everlasting to God are all His works.

 

(Acts 15:19)  Therefore I judge that we must not cause trouble for those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles;

 

(Acts 15:20)  but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

 

(Acts 15:21)  "For Moses has had from ancient generations those who proclaim him in each city, being read in the synagogues from one Sabbath to another."

 

(Acts 15:22)  Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men being chosen from them to Antioch, together with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.

 

(Acts 15:23)  Writing by their hand these things: The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia who are of the Gentiles: Greetings.

 

(Acts 15:24)  Inasmuch as we have heard that some went out from among us and troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'that you must be circumcised and keep the law'--to whom we gave no such command--

 

(Acts 15:25)  it seemed best to us, having come to be of the same mind, to send men being chosen to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

 

(Acts 15:26)  men having given over their lives for the sake of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

(Acts 15:27)  We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.

 

(Acts 15:28)  For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to put on you no greater burden except for these necessary things:

 

(Acts 15:29)  that you abstain from meat offered to idols, and from blood, and from anything strangled, and from fornication; from which keeping yourselves back, you will do well. Farewell.

 

In Acts 18 in Corinth the story is the same Paul being persecuted by the Jews but some of them and the gentiles to believe

(Acts 18:1)  Now after these things, having departed from Athens, Paul came to Corinth.

 

(Acts 18:2)  And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, having recently come from Italy with Priscilla his wife (because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to depart from Rome); he came to them,

 

(Acts 18:3)  and because he was of the same trade, he remained with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

 

(Acts 18:4)  And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks.

 

(Acts 18:5)  Now when both Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, solemnly bearing witness to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.

 

(Acts 18:6)  But because they were opposing and blaspheming, he shook off his clothes and said to them, "Your blood be on your head; I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles."

 

(Acts 18:7)  And having gone over from there, he went into the house of a certain man named Justus, who worshipped God, whose house was next door to the synagogue.

 

(Acts 18:8)  And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, were believing and were being baptized.

 

(Acts 18:9)  Now the Lord spoke to Paul by a vision in the night, "Fear not, but speak, and do not keep silent;

 

(Acts 18:10)  for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you; for I have many people in this city."

 

(Acts 18:11)  And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

 

In Acts 22 then the Lord comes to Paul by vision and sends him to the hands of the gentiles in a distant areas because the Jews will refuse to hear Paul’s testimony about Jesus.

(Acts 22:17)  "And it happened to me, having returned to Jerusalem and praying in the temple, that I came to be in a trance

 

(Acts 22:18)  and saw Him saying to me, 'Hurry and go out quickly from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your witness about Me.'

 

(Acts 22:19)  "And I said, 'Lord, they know that in every synagogue I was imprisoning and beating those believing on You.

 

(Acts 22:20)  And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I myself was standing by consenting to his murder, and guarding the clothes of those murdering him.'

 

(Acts 22:21)  "Then He said to me, 'Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.' "

 

Here in the last of Acts 28 Paul ran into the same problems in Rome with Jews, many of whom did not believe(some did though) and again he says he will take the gospel to the Gentiles who will receive it

(Acts 28:16)  Now when we came to Rome, the centurion handed over the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him.

 

(Acts 28:17)  And it came to pass after three days that Paul called together those who were prominent among the Jews; and when they had come together, he said to them: "Men, brothers, though I have done nothing against the people or the customs of our forefathers, yet I was handed over as a prisoner from Jerusalem, into the hands of the Romans,

 

(Acts 28:18)  who, when they had examined me, were wanting to release me because there was no cause for my case.

 

(Acts 28:19)  But when the Jews spoke in opposition, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.

 

(Acts 28:20)  Therefore for this reason I have requested you, to see and to speak to you, for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain."

 

(Acts 28:21)  Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brothers who arrived report or speak anything evil about you.

 

(Acts 28:22)  But we request to hear from you the things which you think; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that everywhere it is spoken against."

 

(Acts 28:23)  And having appointed for him a day, many came to him at his house, to whom he was explaining and solemnly testifying to the kingdom of God, and persuading them of the things concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning till evening.

 

(Acts 28:24)  And some were persuaded by the things being said, but others refused to believe.

 

(Acts 28:25)  And being in disagreement with one another, they went away after Paul had said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,

 

(Acts 28:26)  saying, 'Go to this people and say: "Hearing you will hear, and by no means understand; and seeing you shall see, and by no means perceive;

 

(Acts 28:27)  For the hearts of this people has become dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and they should hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their heart and turn back, so that I should heal them." '

 

(Acts 28:28)  "Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!"

 

(Acts 28:29)  And when he had said these things, the Jews went away, having a great dispute among themselves.

 

(Acts 28:30)  Then Paul remained two full years in his own rented house, and he was receiving all those who were coming to him,

 

(Acts 28:31)  preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

 

In Romans chapter 3 Paul speaks that there is no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles with God who rules over both, and both have fallen short of His glory but are justified through Jesus and His grace

(Romans 3:19)  Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

 

(Romans 3:20)  For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

 

(Romans 3:21)  But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it--

 

(Romans 3:22)  the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

 

(Romans 3:23)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

(Romans 3:24)  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

 

(Romans 3:25)  whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

 

(Romans 3:26)  It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

 

(Romans 3:27)  Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith.

 

(Romans 3:28)  For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

 

(Romans 3:29)  Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,

 

(Romans 3:30)  since God is one--who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

 

(Romans 3:31)  Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

 

In Romans chapter 9 Paul speaks of the fact that the people are called by their faith- Gentiles and Jews and because of lack of faith a stumbling block will be set in front of the Jews

(Romans 9:24)  even us whom He called, not only of the Jews, but also of the Gentiles?

 

(Romans 9:25)  As also in Hosea He says: "I will call those My people who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved."

 

(Romans 9:26)  "And it shall be in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not My people,' there they shall be called sons of the living God."

 

(Romans 9:27)  Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "If the number of the sons of Israel were as the sand of the sea, the remnant shall be saved;

 

(Romans 9:28)  For He is finishing and cutting short an account in righteousness, because the LORD will make a short account upon the earth."

 

(Romans 9:29)  And just as Isaiah predicted: "Unless the LORD of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and like Gomorrah we would have been compared."

 

(Romans 9:30)  What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;

 

(Romans 9:31)  but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not attain to the law of righteousness.

 

(Romans 9:32)  Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stone of stumbling.

 

(Romans 9:33)  Just as it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and rock of offense, and everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame."

 

Here in Romans chapter 11 Paul writes that the gentiles were sought after with the gospel  to make the Jews jealous so that some of them might be saved and Paul uses the example of grafting branches into a tree to make his point come across.

(Romans 11:11)  So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.

 

(Romans 11:12)  Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

 

(Romans 11:13)  Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

 

(Romans 11:14)  in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.

 

(Romans 11:15)  For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?

 

(Romans 11:16)  If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

 

(Romans 11:17)  But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,

 

(Romans 11:18)  do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.

 

(Romans 11:19)  Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."

 

(Romans 11:20)  That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.

 

(Romans 11:21)  For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.

 

(Romans 11:22)  Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

 

(Romans 11:23)  And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.

 

(Romans 11:24)  For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

 

(Romans 11:25)  Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

 

(Romans 11:26)  And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob";

 

(Romans 11:27)  "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins."

 

(Romans 11:28)  As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.

 

(Romans 11:29)  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

 

(Romans 11:30)  For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,

 

(Romans 11:31)  so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.

 

(Romans 11:32)  For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.

 

In Romans chapter 15 the Gentiles are encouraged to be a part, doing His work, praising and going out and proclaiming the gospel to others

(Romans 15:5)  Now may the God of patience and of encouragement grant you to be like-minded among one another, according to Christ Jesus,

 

(Romans 15:6)  so that you may with one accord and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

(Romans 15:7)  Therefore receive one another, just as also Christ received you, to the glory of God.

 

(Romans 15:8)  Now I say that Christ Jesus has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, in order to confirm the promises to the fathers,

 

(Romans 15:9)  and that the Gentiles might glorify God on behalf of His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and I will sing praise to Your name."

 

(Romans 15:10)  And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!"

 

(Romans 15:11)  And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Praise Him, all you peoples!"

 

(Romans 15:12)  And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be the root of Jesse; and He that shall rise to rule over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope."

 

(Romans 15:13)  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

(Romans 15:14)  Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, having been filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish others.

 

(Romans 15:15)  And I write more boldly to you brothers, in part, as reminding you, because of the grace having been given to me by God,

 

(Romans 15:16)  that I should be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God as a priest, so that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

 

(Romans 15:17)  Therefore I have something to boast of in Christ Jesus in the things pertaining to God.

 

(Romans 15:18)  For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ did not work out through me, in word and deed, for the obedience of the Gentiles--

 

(Romans 15:19)  in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.

 

(Romans 15:20)  And so eagerly striving to evangelize not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon the foundation of another,

 

(Romans 15:21)  but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; and those who have not heard shall understand."

 

(Romans 15:22)  For this reason I also have been hindered many times from coming to you.

 

(Romans 15:23)  But now no longer having a place in these regions, and having a longing to come to you for many years,

 

(Romans 15:24)  whenever I travel to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope while traveling through to see you, and to be sent forward there by you, if I may be filled in part from you first.

 

(Romans 15:25)  But now I am traveling to Jerusalem ministering to the saints.

 

(Romans 15:26)  For Macedonia and Achaia thought it good to make some contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.

 

(Romans 15:27)  For they thought it good, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles shared in spiritual things, they are obligated also to minister to them in material things.

 

In Ephesians chapter 3 indeed Paul promises the gentiles to be joint heirs along with the Jews of the promises by faith in Christ.

(Ephesians 3:1)  For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles--

 

(Ephesians 3:2)  if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,

 

(Ephesians 3:3)  how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery, just as I wrote before briefly,

 

(Ephesians 3:4)  with reference to which, when you read, you can understand my insight in the mystery of Christ,

 

(Ephesians 3:5)  which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

 

(Ephesians 3:6)  that the Gentiles should be joint-heirs, and of the same body, and joint-partakers in His promise in Christ by the gospel,

 

(Ephesians 3:7)  of which I became a minister according to the free gift of the grace of God which was given to me according to the working of His power.

 

(Ephesians 3:8)  To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

 

(Ephesians 3:9)  and to enlighten all as to what is the administration of the mystery, which had been hidden from the ages in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;

 

(Ephesians 3:10)  that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies,

 

(Ephesians 3:11)  according to the eternal purpose which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord,

 

(Ephesians 3:12)  in whom we have the boldness and the access with confidence through faith in Him.

 

It is a wonderful thing that Jesus came and died for us Gentiles that we can be saved through our faith in Him and what He did on the cross (not by laws or works) and the same applies to the Jews for that matter. It is only through Jesus that we can be saved. He died so we all could live forever, and more importantly have that special relationship with the Lord to which absolutely nothing can compare or even come close. I am now including a prayer which you can invite Jesus in your heart no matter what faith you claim or do not claim (Jesus loves you) and begin this special relationship with the Lord to which nothing can compare. Please pray this prayer with me.

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

 

God bless you and yours