GENTILES BEFORE AND AFTER CHRIST’S DEATH
Pastor J. C. O’Hair
The Epistle to the Romans was written about 60 A.D., more than twenty-five years after Christ died on the cross for the sins of the whole world. A most radical change in God’s dealings with the Gentiles took place between the year that the Lord Jesus Christ talked with the Gentile Greek woman (Matthew 15:21 to 27 and Mark 7:24 to 30) and the year that the risen Christ revealed to the apostle Paul the truth of Romans 10:12: “There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.”
At the time Christ talked with that Gentile woman, the Gentiles were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel,” “having no hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12). Israel was “nigh” and the Gentiles were “afar off”. (Ephesians 2:17 and 2:13). The Gentiles were “a foolish nation”, “no people”. (Romans 10:19).
Note the language Christ used in His conversation with that Gentile Greek woman; “It is not meet to take the children’s bread and cast it unto dogs.” (Mark 7:27). In speaking concerning the faith of another Gentile, the Lord Jesus called Israel, “the children of the kingdom”. (Matthew 8:12).
There is a great difference between “children” and “dogs”. In Exodus 11:7 we have God’s own words to Israel, “The Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.” Note also Exodus 19:5, “Ye (Israel) shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.” And again, Isaiah 45:4: “Israel, Mine elect - I have surnamed thee.” Again, Isaiah 43:21, “This people have I formed for Myself, they shall show forth My praise.” Again, Isaiah 44:21: “I have found thee, Thou art My servant, O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of Me.” Again Isaiah 45:17: “But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation.”
In Acts 13:23 and Acts 5:29 to 32, we read that Christ was born to be Israel’s Saviour. While Christ was on earth neither Christ nor His apostles were sent to Gentiles; but only to Israel. (Matthew 15:24 - Matthew 10:5 to 8). (Read also Matthew 10:23 and Acts 10:39 and Acts 2:22).
In Luke 1:67 to 77 we are told very definitely that Christ was born to deliver Israel from Gentile political control. But Israel knew not the time of their visitation (Luke 19:44), and said “We will not have this man to reign over us.” (Luke 19:14). Christ came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:11). Israel had a real fall. (Romans 11:11 - Romans 11:5 to 9). Israel will rise again. (Isaiah 62:1 to 4; Romans 11:26). Then Gentiles from all over the world will come to the Lord.
But after Christ died on the cross, His gospel was “to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16). Here is a very interesting question in Romans 3:29. “Is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also of the Gentiles?” This question was asked years after Christ died and broke down the partition between Israel “nigh” and the Gentiles “afar off.” (Ephesians 2:13 to 17).
The answer was “Yes, of the Gentiles also.”
Therefore, Gentiles should go to Romans for the gospel of grace rather than to Matthew, Mark and Luke.
The two Gentiles, who were blessed while Christ was on earth, received blessings because both of them had great faith. (Matthew 8:10 - Matthew 15:28). All Gentiles were offered salvation later on, because of Israel’s unbelief and because of great grace, love and mercy. (Romans 11:30 and Ephesians 2:4 to 9). Hold on to the great truth of Romans 11:30. Cornelius, saved under Peter’s keys of the kingdom, feared God and worked righteousness. (Acts 10:34 and 35 - Acts 10:1 to 14).
Gentiles, in this age and dispensation of grace, do not have to take the place of little dogs under the table; for by grace they are seated in the heavenlies in Christ. (Compare Mark 7:28 and Ephesians 2:6 to 9). Ye which were afar off are brought nigh by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:13).
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