Topical Bible: The Heathen: Praise God for Success of the Gospel Among

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The term "heathen" traditionally refers to those who do not adhere to the Abrahamic faiths, particularly those outside the Judeo-Christian tradition. In the context of the Bible, it often denotes Gentiles or non-Israelites who were not part of God's chosen people. However, the New Testament reveals a significant shift in the divine plan, where the Gospel is extended to all nations, including the heathen, fulfilling God's promise to bless all the families of the earth through Abraham (Genesis 12:3).

Biblical Foundation for the Inclusion of the Heathen

The Old Testament contains numerous prophecies and promises regarding the inclusion of the heathen in God's redemptive plan. Psalm 67:2-3 declares, "that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You." This psalm anticipates a time when the knowledge of God and His salvation would reach beyond Israel to all nations, leading them to worship and praise Him.

Isaiah 49:6 further emphasizes this mission: "I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth." This prophecy points to the Messiah's role in bringing the light of God's truth to the Gentiles, a theme that is echoed in the New Testament.

The Great Commission and the Spread of the Gospel

The New Testament explicitly commands the spread of the Gospel to all nations. Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 instructs His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." This directive underscores the universal scope of the Gospel message and the inclusion of the heathen in God's salvific plan.

The Book of Acts records the early church's obedience to this commission, as the apostles and early Christians spread the Gospel beyond Jewish communities. Acts 13:47 quotes Paul and Barnabas as they declare, "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.'" The success of their mission is evident as the Gospel takes root in diverse cultures and regions.

Praise for the Success of the Gospel Among the Heathen

The New Testament celebrates the success of the Gospel among the heathen, recognizing it as a fulfillment of God's promises and a cause for great rejoicing. In Romans 15:9-12 , Paul cites several Old Testament passages to illustrate the inclusion of the Gentiles: "Therefore I will praise You among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to Your name." Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people." And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and extol Him, all you peoples." And once more, Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope."

The early church's recognition of the Holy Spirit's work among the Gentiles is another testament to the success of the Gospel. In Acts 10:44-45 , as Peter preaches to the household of Cornelius, "the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the message. All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles."

Theological Implications

The success of the Gospel among the heathen underscores the universality of God's love and the inclusivity of His salvation. It affirms that God's redemptive plan is not limited by ethnicity, culture, or previous religious affiliation. This success is a testament to the power of the Gospel to transcend human barriers and transform lives across the globe.

The praise for the Gospel's success among the heathen is a recurring theme in Christian worship and theology, reflecting the joy and gratitude for God's expansive grace. It serves as a reminder of the church's ongoing mission to proclaim the Gospel to all nations, continuing the work begun by the apostles and early Christians.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 98:1-3
O sing to the LORD a new song; for he has done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, has gotten him the victory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 11:18
When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance to life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Preaching among the Heathen
... was almost impossible to turn the heathen from their ... rose to his feet with the praise
of God ... rejoiced with inexpressible gladness and praised God with renewed ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 18 preaching among the.htm

The Success of the Apostles, and their Sufferings in the Cause of ...
... this indeed (they did) after that "the heathen raged, and ... a little afterwards He
says: "My praise shall be ... the congregations bless ye the Lord God." [3413] So ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxii the success of the.htm

The Progress of the Gospel
... does not excite his admiration and praise, is abundantly ... to the great design of
evangelizing the heathen? ... excite admiration, and thankfulness to God, in every ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxii the progress of.htm

Prayer and Missions
... will give victory on every battlefield in heathen lands ... purpose to continue in prayer
and give God no rest ... establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/xiii prayer and missions.htm

Church Union.
... Christ in this land, that you may praise God in our ... As God gives success to our labors
we must organize ... our great work is to gather converts from the heathen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/viii church union.htm

Opposition to Messiah in Vain
... Though the worship of heathen idols gradually declined, and sank into ... Surely if this
work was not of God, the united ... on His work, and to show forth His praise. ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxiv opposition to messiah.htm

The Story of God's Mighty Acts
... truth has triumphed, and how the heathen has forsaken ... and continued labour, they
say, will ultimately bring success. ... we have thus begun to praise God for what ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the story of gods mighty.htm

Calcutta and the Mission Centres from Delhi to Amboyna
... well as with that character among the heathen which it ... end each day by uniting together
to pray and praise God. ... the Divine call expressed in the Word of God. ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter vii calcutta and the.htm

Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ...
... Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God ... 7. The heathen everywhere, despite
their ignorance of God and ... We conduct ourselves as if God might be expected to ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty second sunday after trinity.htm

The Progress of the Gospel from the Death of Christ to the Death ...
... professed the Jewish theology""he feared God with all ... Christ; when they sang, they
sang praise to Christ ... Well then might the heathen multitude agree with one ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter iv the progress of.htm