Topical Bible: The Gospel: Preached to The Gentiles

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The proclamation of the Gospel to the Gentiles is a significant theme in the New Testament, marking a pivotal expansion of the early Christian mission beyond the Jewish community. This outreach to the Gentiles fulfills Old Testament prophecies and underscores the universal scope of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The inclusion of the Gentiles in God's salvific plan is foreshadowed in the Old Testament. Isaiah 49:6 declares, "I will also make you a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." Similarly, Genesis 12:3 records God's promise to Abraham: "In you all the families of the earth will be blessed." These passages anticipate the extension of God's covenant blessings to all peoples.

Jesus' Ministry and Teachings

During His earthly ministry, Jesus Himself hinted at the inclusion of the Gentiles. In Matthew 8:11, He states, "Many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." Jesus' interactions with Gentiles, such as the Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13) and the Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21-28), further illustrate His openness to those outside the Jewish community.

The Great Commission

The Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, explicitly commands the disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations." This directive underscores the global mission of the Church and the imperative to preach the Gospel to every ethnic group, transcending cultural and national boundaries.

The Early Church and the Apostolic Mission

The Book of Acts chronicles the early Church's efforts to evangelize the Gentiles. A pivotal moment occurs in Acts 10, where Peter receives a vision that leads him to the house of Cornelius, a Roman centurion. Peter declares, "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right" (Acts 10:34-35). The Holy Spirit's outpouring on Cornelius and his household confirms God's acceptance of Gentile believers.

The Apostle Paul emerges as the foremost missionary to the Gentiles. In Acts 13:47, Paul and Barnabas assert, "For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" Paul's missionary journeys, as detailed in Acts and his epistles, establish numerous Gentile churches and articulate the theological basis for Gentile inclusion in the people of God.

Theological Implications

Paul's letters, particularly Romans and Galatians, expound on the theological significance of the Gospel's reach to the Gentiles. In Romans 1:16, Paul affirms, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek." He emphasizes that righteousness comes through faith in Christ, apart from the Law, making salvation accessible to all who believe, regardless of ethnic background.

In Ephesians 2:11-13, Paul explains that Gentiles, once "excluded from citizenship in Israel," have been "brought near by the blood of Christ." This reconciliation creates "one new man" from the two, establishing peace and unity within the body of Christ.

Conclusion

The preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles is a testament to the boundless grace of God and the fulfillment of His promise to bless all nations through Abraham's seed. This mission continues to inspire the Church's evangelistic efforts, affirming the universal call to salvation through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 13:10
And the gospel must first be published among all nations.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 2:2,9
And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4275. proeido -- to foresee
... 8 The Scripture, (4275a) that God would justify the Gentiles by (4102 ), preached
the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, " all the nations will be blessed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4275.htm - 7k

Library

The Gospel was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book VI. Chapter VI."The Gospel Was Preached
to Jews and Gentiles in Hades. But as the proclamation ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the gospel was preached.htm

Whether Christ Should have Preached not Only to the Jews, but Also ...
... gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation."
Therefore much rather should Christ have preached to the Gentiles than ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have preached.htm

The Angel of the Everlasting Gospel.
... life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles," Acts 13:46. Afterwards Paul, in writing to the
Colossians, refers to the gospel as that "which was preached to every ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the angel of the everlasting.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... Later, in Thessalonica, in Corinth, in Ephesus, and in other important centers,
Paul and his companions in labor preached the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

Refutation of the Opinion, that Paul was the Only Apostle who had ...
... But I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that Gospel which I preached
among the Gentiles." [3537] And again he says, "For an hour we did give ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiiirefutation of the opinion.htm

Our Hope is not the Conversion of the World.
... No; the Gospel as preached by the Son of God ... who responded to the gracious appeals
of the Gospel from His ... saved and sent forth as the apostle to the Gentiles. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/1 our hope is not.htm

The First Successors of the Apostles.
... 1. That Paul preached to the Gentiles and laid the ... 2. And in how many provinces Peter
preached Christ and ... One of these books is the Gospel, [612] which he ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iv the first successors of.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 2, "The Harvest Truly is ...
... yet to come among the peoples of the Gentiles. ... still touching this harvest in the
Gospel according to ... people, among whom the Prophets preached; for therefore ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon li on the words.htm

His Gospel
... event at this period, there can be no doubt that the gospel sketched in ... and the
Galatians was substantially the same as he preached from the ... The Gentiles failed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iv his gospel.htm

The Fifth vision "On Earth"
... His judgment (or crisis) has come." No, this "everlasting gospel" cannot be preached
now ... a title specially given to proselytes from the Gentiles (Acts 13 ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fifth vision on earth.htm