Topical Bible: The Heathen: Given to Christ

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The term "heathen" in biblical context often refers to the nations or peoples who do not worship the God of Israel, typically characterized as Gentiles or non-believers. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "goyim" is frequently translated as "nations" or "heathen," indicating those outside the covenant community of Israel. The New Testament Greek equivalent is "ethnos," similarly referring to the Gentiles.

Old Testament Promises

The concept of the heathen being given to Christ is rooted in the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament. Psalm 2:8 is a foundational text: "Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession." This messianic psalm portrays the nations as an inheritance for the Anointed One, a promise that extends beyond Israel to encompass all peoples.

Isaiah 49:6 further expands this vision: "It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." Here, the Servant of the Lord is commissioned to be a light to the Gentiles, indicating the universal scope of God's redemptive plan.

Fulfillment in Christ

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these promises in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands the disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations," signifying the inclusion of the heathen in the redemptive mission of the Church. This directive underscores the authority of Christ over all nations, as stated in Matthew 28:18: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me."

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently addresses the inclusion of the Gentiles in the covenant community. In Romans 15:9-12, Paul cites several Old Testament passages to demonstrate that the Gentiles are to glorify God for His mercy. Ephesians 3:6 further clarifies that "the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."

Theological Implications

The giving of the heathen to Christ has profound theological implications. It affirms the sovereignty of God in salvation history, demonstrating His purpose to redeem a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. This divine plan underscores the universality of the gospel and the breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers in Christ.

The Church, as the body of Christ, is called to participate in this mission, proclaiming the gospel to all nations and making disciples of every people group. The inclusion of the heathen in the covenant community reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3).

Eschatological Vision

The eschatological vision of the heathen given to Christ is vividly depicted in Revelation 7:9-10: "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands, and they cried out in a loud voice: 'Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'"

This vision encapsulates the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, where the redeemed from all nations worship the Lamb, signifying the consummation of the promise that the heathen are given to Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 2:8
Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 7:14
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

All Blessings are Given to us through Christ.
... Chapter XXXVI."All Blessings are Given to Us Through Christ ... we find our Saviour,
[4190] even Jesus Christ, the High ... and I will give Thee the heathen for Thine ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xxxvi all blessings are given.htm

The Harmony of the Gospels.
... Romans (the heathen), worshipped the gods of all conquered nations, except the Jews,
[441]84; their reasons ... Vinegar, the draught of, given to Christ on the ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/the harmony of the gospels.htm

The Faith which Christ Praises
... found in a dunghill, the lesson that, given the authoritative ... that he means to parallel
Christ's position with ... more natural to suppose that a heathen man, with ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the faith which christ praises.htm

If the Heathen, and those who are Strangers to the True Knowledge ...
... If the Heathen, and those who are strangers to the true ... granted to him, according
to the declaration of Christ, To him that hath shall be given," in which ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article xv if the heathen.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Heathen
... a reward for his adoring confession of Christ's Divinity[1 ... 26} gathering in of the
first heathen converts ... and served God according to the light given him through ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter ii the foundation of.htm

The Fourth Rule of Tichonius.
... For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all ... but according
to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 34 the fourth rule of.htm

What the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven Be, and what their Power.
... these, and received all the power, which was given by Christ ... Thirdly, It appeareth
farther that Christ gave the power of ... let him be to thee as an Heathen or a ...
/.../the keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof/chap i what the keyes.htm

Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... the name of Godhead also belongs to Him (Christ), for He ... down and worship and honour
even the heathen of the ... And this honour of worship God has given to the ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm

The Second Epistle to the Thessalonians an Absurd Erasure of ...
... Now, to inflict punishment on the heathen, who very likely ... that he [5937] can suborn
the Creator's Christ to avenge ... the beginning of all things has given to man ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the second epistle to.htm

The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen
... The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen Arnobius. ... 64 But, my opponents ask,
if Christ came as the Saviour ... What say you, O races and nations, given up to ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/