The Gospel for Everyone
The Lord was gentle with His Chosen People, Israel, but He acted from the beginning to show that the Good News came through them and was first for them, but was designated for everyone equally. Not everyone thought this was the greatest news possible and not even the gentiles got the idea right away.
It has taken a couple thousand years, and were not all the way home yet. Peter pointed the way outside Jerusalem to gentiles, first with Cornelius, the stouthearted Roman Centurion who seemed open to God early on (Acts 10-11:18).
Then things fell largely to Paul, beginning with the exciting church at Antioch of Syria, now known as Antakya, in modern-day Turkey. Barnabas joined Paul to begin their missionary thrusts into Asia Minor, following Gods breath-taking action in a time of worship and fasting: "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul [Paul was first Saul of Tarsus] for the work to which I have called them," God said. So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit went down to Seleucia and sailed (Acts 13:1-4, NIV).
The Jews first, and then the rest:
I will also make you a light for the gentiles,
That you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 49:6
The most appealing of the Bibles teachings on the importance of taking the gospel to the gentiles came from the mouth of Paul, who seemed to hit every dangerous issue head on. It comes alive at the opening of the third chapter of Ephesians in the manner of so many major points of the Christian faith. God has come to the world in the person of Jesus Christ really and actually, no kidding or mysticism, not ethereally or magically. He came as a son of man there is no room for sexism in any of this. He was born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit, who was also God, remember. Dont get panicky about the laws of procreation and all that; He made the laws and is free, the only one allowed, to alter them if needed. Yes, doctor, thats simply the way it is. He loves you, and I do, too.
You gotta read the whole chapter; its short. But heres half of the nub of what its all about: "This mystery is that through the gospel the gentiles are heirs together with Israel [take that, yall; you believing Muslims and Jews are heirs together like it or not! and youll love this:] members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 3:6). Please note that those "togethers", all three of them in one sentence, kinda stack up and get pretty heavy, dont they? Yeah, He means it: unity, oneness.
And thats only half of the point. Heres the other: "His [Gods] intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God, should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
I tell you guys, thats cool. Jesus did the whole thing for Jews, Arabs, Africans, Caucasians, Asians, Indians all, Hispanics, Eskimos, and any and all Aliens wherever you are. God is your Daddy, Your Father, Your Poppa. Crawl up in His lap right now. You have a wonderful family some people call the church. Heartbreak days can be over.
