Topical Encyclopedia The term "Gentiles" in the Bible generally refers to all nations or peoples who are not of Jewish descent. Throughout the Scriptures, the Gentiles are often depicted as being ignorant of the one true God, Yahweh, and His laws. This ignorance is not merely a lack of knowledge but is frequently portrayed as a willful rejection or neglect of divine truth.In the Old Testament, the Gentiles are often associated with idolatry and pagan practices. The Israelites were repeatedly warned against adopting the customs and religious practices of the surrounding nations. For instance, in Deuteronomy 12:30-31 , God instructs the Israelites, "Be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, ‘How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.’ You must not worship the LORD your God in this way." The ignorance of the Gentiles is further highlighted in the prophetic literature. Isaiah 44:18-19 speaks of the futility of idol worship, stating, "They do not comprehend or discern, for He has shut their eyes so they cannot see and closed their minds so they cannot understand. No one considers in his heart; no one has the knowledge or insight to say, 'I burned half of it in the fire, and I also baked bread on its coals; I roasted meat and ate. Shall I make something detestable with the rest of it? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?'" In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the ignorance of the Gentiles in his epistles. In Ephesians 4:17-18 , he writes, "So I tell you this, and testify to it in the Lord: You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts." Despite this ignorance, the New Testament also reveals God's plan for the Gentiles to come to the knowledge of Him through Jesus Christ. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 commands, "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." This directive underscores the inclusivity of the Gospel message and God's desire for all people, including the Gentiles, to be reconciled to Him. The Apostle Paul, known as the Apostle to the Gentiles, emphasizes that the mystery of the Gospel is that Gentiles are fellow heirs with Israel. In Ephesians 3:6 , he declares, "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." Thus, while the Gentiles were historically ignorant of God, the New Testament reveals a divine plan for their inclusion in the covenant community through faith in Jesus Christ. This transformative knowledge is not only a remedy for their ignorance but also a fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes for all nations. Torrey's Topical Textbook Romans 1:21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Thessalonians 4:5 Library Moreover, to Ignorant Gentiles. Righteousness is the Gift of God. The Connection of the Christian virtues. Argument -1 from the Withdrawal of Prophecy and Destruction of ... Whether this Name "God" is Applied to God Univocally by Nature, by ... Of the Cause of the Incarnation of Christ. Thanksgiving to God for the Pardon Granted to the Offenders ... He Explains who are those in Whose Person the Prophet Isaiah Says ... History and Doctrines of Heresies. John Chapter xvi. 1-4. 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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