What Old Testament examples support God's call to Gentiles in Acts 10:22? Setting the Stage—Acts 10:22 in Focus The messengers from Cornelius tell Peter, “Cornelius the centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, … was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear your message.” Their words unveil God’s long-planned embrace of Gentiles. That plan did not begin in Acts—it echoes through the entire Old Testament. God’s Mission to “All Families of the Earth” • Genesis 12:3—“In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” • Genesis 22:18—“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.” The Abrahamic covenant lays the first stone: Israel is chosen so the nations may be blessed, not bypassed. Gentiles Welcomed into Israel’s Storyline • Rahab (Joshua 2; 6:25) — a Canaanite brought under Israel’s protection. • Ruth the Moabitess (Ruth 1–4) — grafted into Messiah’s lineage. • Uriah the Hittite (2 Samuel 11:6–17) — a foreigner counted among David’s mighty men. • Naaman the Syrian (2 Kings 5:1–19) — cleansed through Israel’s prophet. • The sailors of Jonah 1 and the people of Nineveh (Jonah 3) — Gentiles who repent and receive mercy. Psalms that Look Beyond Israel • Psalm 67:2—“that Your salvation may be known among all nations.” • Psalm 86:9—“All the nations You have made will come and bow before You, O Lord.” • Psalm 117:1—“Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples!” These worship texts anticipate a multi-ethnic chorus praising the Lord. Prophets Announcing a Global Light • Isaiah 42:6—“I will make You … a light for the nations.” • Isaiah 49:6—“I will also make You a light for the nations to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.” • Isaiah 56:6–7—foreigners who join themselves to the LORD are promised, “Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar.” • Micah 4:2—“Many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD.’” • Zechariah 2:11—“Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day and will become My people.” Israel’s Feasts and Laws Hinting at Wider Mercy • The Passover provision for aliens (Exodus 12:48–49). • Gleaning laws for resident foreigners (Leviticus 19:9–10). • Solomon’s prayer at the temple: “So that all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You” (1 Kings 8:41-43). Tying It Back to Acts 10:22 Every Old-Testament snapshot forms a mosaic showing God’s consistent intent: Israel would bear witness so the Gentiles could share in covenant blessings. Cornelius, a God-fearing Gentile, stands in the line of Rahab, Ruth, Naaman, and all who trusted Israel’s God. Peter’s rooftop vision and the angelic visit simply ignite what Scripture had long proclaimed: the gospel is for all nations, just as God always promised. |
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