Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "Gentiles" refers to the nations or peoples who are not part of the Jewish community. The word "heathen" is often used interchangeably with "Gentiles" in various translations of the Bible, particularly in older versions, to denote those who do not belong to the covenant community of Israel and are outside the worship of the God of Israel.The Hebrew word "goyim" and the Greek word "ethnos" are commonly translated as "Gentiles" or "nations" in the Scriptures. These terms are used to describe the peoples who are distinct from the Israelites, often characterized by their idolatrous practices and lack of knowledge of the one true God. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were frequently warned against adopting the practices of the heathen nations surrounding them. For instance, in Leviticus 18:24-25 , God commands the Israelites, "Do not defile yourselves by any of these practices, for by all these things the nations I am driving out before you have defiled themselves. Even the land has become defiled, so I am punishing it for its sin, and the land will vomit out its inhabitants." The term "heathen" is used in a pejorative sense to describe the spiritual state of the Gentiles, who were often seen as living in ignorance of God's laws and engaging in idolatry. In Psalm 2:1 , the psalmist asks, "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?" Here, "nations" refers to the Gentiles who oppose God's anointed king. Despite the negative connotations associated with the term "heathen," the Old Testament also contains promises of blessing for the Gentiles. In Genesis 12:3 , God tells Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you, and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you." This promise foreshadows the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's redemptive plan. The New Testament further develops the theme of Gentile inclusion. Jesus' ministry, while primarily focused on the "lost sheep of Israel" (Matthew 15:24), also includes significant interactions with Gentiles, such as the healing of the centurion's servant (Matthew 8:5-13) and the Canaanite woman's daughter (Matthew 15:21-28). The Apostle Paul, known as the "Apostle to the Gentiles," emphasizes the breaking down of the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles through Christ's work. In Ephesians 2:11-13 , Paul writes, "Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called 'uncircumcised' by the so-called 'circumcision' that is done in the body by human hands—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." The early church grappled with the inclusion of Gentiles, as seen in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), where it was determined that Gentile converts did not need to adhere to the full Mosaic Law. This decision underscored the belief that salvation through Jesus Christ was available to all, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. In summary, while the term "heathen" historically carried negative connotations, the biblical narrative reveals a progressive unfolding of God's plan to include the Gentiles in His covenant community, ultimately fulfilling the promise that all nations would be blessed through Abraham's seed. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 2:1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? Torrey's Topical Textbook Galatians 3:8 Library The Court of the Gentiles. The Mountain of the House, in the ... He Division of the Land. In Palestine - Jews and Gentiles in the Land' - their Mutual ... Jews and Gentiles in "The Land" Hope for the Heathen Because of Its Bearing Upon the Gentiles. The Case of a Heathen Whose Wife is Converted after Marriage with ... The Prophet Jonah. The First-Fruits of the Gentiles Origin of Heathen Mythology. Resources What is a Gentile? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning and importance of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15)? | GotQuestions.org Who are the “other sheep” mentioned in John 10:16? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Gentiles: Blasphemous and Reproachful Gentiles: Called: Uncircumcised Gentiles: Called: Uncircumcision Gentiles: Christ Given As a Light To Gentiles: Comprehend all Nations Except the Jews Gentiles: Constant to Their False Gods Gentiles: Conversion of, Predicted Gentiles: Counsel of, Brought to Nought Gentiles: Excluded from Israel's Privileges Gentiles: First General Introduction of the Gospel To Gentiles: First Special Introduction of the Gospel To Gentiles: Given to Christ As his Inheritance Gentiles: Hated and Despised the Jews Gentiles: Israel Rejected Till the Fulness of Gentiles: Jerusalem Trodden Down By Gentiles: Not Allowed to Enter the Temple Gentiles: Often Ravaged and Defiled the Holy Land and Sanctuary Gentiles: Outer Court of Temple For Gentiles: Prophecies of the Conversion of Gentiles: Refusing to Know God Gentiles: The Gospel not to be Preached To, Till Preached to the Jews Gentiles: The Jews: Despised, As If Dogs Gentiles: The Jews: Dispersed Amongst Gentiles: The Jews: Never Associated With Gentiles: The Jews: Not to Follow the Ways of Gentiles: The Jews: Not to Intermarry With Gentiles: The Jews: Often Corrupted By Gentiles: The Jews: Permitted to Have, As Servants Gentiles: Unclassified Sciptures Relating To Gentiles: United With the Jews Against Christ Related Terms Instrumentality (5 Occurrences) |
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