Topical Encyclopedia The concept of Gentiles being given to Christ as His inheritance is a significant theme in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's redemptive plan for all nations. This theme is rooted in the Old Testament and finds its fulfillment in the New Testament through the person and work of Jesus Christ.Old Testament Foundations The promise of the Gentiles as part of God's redemptive plan is first hinted at in the Abrahamic covenant. In Genesis 12:3 , God tells Abram, "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 indicates that the blessing of God through Abraham would extend beyond the Jewish people to all nations. Psalm 2:8 further develops this theme, where God declares to His Anointed One, "Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession." This messianic psalm anticipates the reign of Christ over all nations, including the Gentiles, as part of His divine inheritance. New Testament Fulfillment The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of these Old Testament promises through Jesus Christ. In Matthew 28:19 , the Great Commission underscores the inclusion of the Gentiles: "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." Here, Jesus commands His disciples to extend the message of salvation to all ethnic groups, affirming the Gentiles' place in God's kingdom. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, elaborates on the mystery of the Gentiles' inclusion. In Ephesians 3:6 , he writes, "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus." Paul emphasizes that the Gentiles are not merely secondary participants but co-heirs with the Jews in the promises of God through Christ. Theological Implications The inclusion of the Gentiles as Christ's inheritance highlights the universal scope of the gospel. It underscores the breaking down of the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile, as articulated in Ephesians 2:14 : "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility." This theme also reflects the sovereignty and grace of God in salvation history. The Gentiles' inclusion is not an afterthought but a fulfillment of God's eternal purpose, as seen in Revelation 5:9 , where the heavenly chorus sings, "And they sang a new song: 'Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.'" Practical Application For believers, the understanding that Gentiles are given to Christ as His inheritance calls for a commitment to global evangelism and a recognition of the unity of all believers in Christ. It challenges the church to embrace diversity within the body of Christ and to work towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission, ensuring that the message of salvation reaches the ends of the earth. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 2:8Ask 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 Library The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ... Of the Departure of Jesus into Galilee after his Resurrection; and ... How Much More Faithful to God the Gentiles are who are Converted ... The Fulfilment of the Prophecies Concerning Christ. The Epistle to the Laodiceans the Proper Designation is to the ... The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just. He Returns to the Conversion of the Gentiles, and Shows that it ... Of the Name of Jesus Christ, and his Twofold Nativity. Sanctified by Faith Covenanting According to the Purposes of God. Resources What is the Hebrew Roots movement? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the church has been grafted in Israel's place? | GotQuestions.org What are the four Servant Songs in Isaiah? | 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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