Although Jesus Christ initially preached to Israel, his mission was soon extended to the Gentiles. From the outset, the Christian church accepted Gentiles as full members, refusing to make any distinction between Jew and Gentile. Paul, “the apostle to the Gentiles”, laid particular emphasis on their role in the purposes of God.
Gentiles in Jesus Christ's earthly ministry
Jesus Christ's contact with Gentiles
Matthew 8:5–13 parallel Luke 7:1–10; Matthew 15:21–28 parallel Mark 7:24–30
Jesus Christ's teaching concerning Gentiles
Matthew 21:33–43 parallels Mark 12:1–11, Luke 20:9–16Luke 21:20–24
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
Jesus Christ's instructions to his disciples concerning Gentiles
See also Matthew 10:5–6 Initially the disciples were commanded to preach to Jews, but after his resurrection, Jesus Christ commissioned them to preach the message of the kingdom of God to all nations.Matthew 28:19–20Mark 16:15–16; Luke 24:46–47
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. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Peter sent to Gentiles
Acts 10:28 See also Acts 10:9–20, Acts 11:5–14Acts 10:44–48 See also Acts 11:15, Acts 15:7–8
He said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his 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. For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
Paul, apostle to the Gentiles
Galatians 2:7–9 See also Acts 9:15, Acts 22:21, Acts 26:15–23; Romans 1:13–15, Romans 11:13, Romans 15:15–19; Galatians 2:2; Ephesians 3:1; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 4:17
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John — those reputed to be pillars — gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
Rejected by Jews, Paul turns more to the Gentiles
Acts 18:6 See also Acts 13:46, Acts 28:28
But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
Response of the Gentiles to Paul's preaching
Acts 13:48 See also Acts 14:1–2, Acts 15:12, Acts 21:19; 1 Corinthians 1:23–24
When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Difficulties concerning the acceptance of Gentiles into the church
The question of mixing with Gentiles
Acts 11:2–3 See also Acts 11:15–18; Galatians 2:12–13
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.”
The question of circumcision
Acts 15:5–31 See also Galatians 2:1–5, Galatians 5:1–6
NT teaching on Gentiles
Gentiles now share the inheritance of God's people Israel
Ephesians 2:13; Revelation 5:9–10 See also Romans 3:29, Romans 11:11–21; Galatians 3:29; Revelation 7:9, Revelation 14:6
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
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. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”
There is no distinction between Jews and Gentiles
Galatians 3:28 See also Romans 2:9–11; Ephesians 2:19–20; Colossians 3:11
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
God calls both Jew and Gentile
John 10:16; Acts 13:47–48 See also Romans 9:24–26; 1 Corinthians 1:24–25; 2 Timothy 4:17
I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
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.’” When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Both Jews and Gentiles are justified by faith
Galatians 3:6–14 See also Romans 4:9–12, Romans 4:16; Galatians 5:6
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.