WHY PAUL TURNED TO THE GENTILES? Pastor J. C. O'Hir

Be sure to read the Scriptures listed.

Between the death and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ He gave what is called “the Great Commission.” “Disciple all nations.” (Matthew 28:19 and 20).
After He gave this commission the twelve apostles asked of Christ, “Wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). So they knew nothing concerning the Joint-Body of Ephesians 3:6.

If this “disciple all nations” is God’s program for “the dispensation of grace” (Ephesians 3:1 to 4) all during the period of grace, during which period God is building-up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:9 to 13), and is to continue till the day of the rapture of the Body (I Thessalonians 4:13 to 18), why then the revelation of Galatians 1:11 and 12?

Why did Paul, in Acts 13:46, say what he said about twelve years after Christ gave the great commission? Paul said that the Word of God had to be preached FIRST to Israel, and then because they blasphemed and resisted the Holy Spirit (the unpardonable sin of Matthew 12:30 and 31 - Acts 7:51 to 56), and put the Word of God from them, he, (Paul), turned to the Gentiles. Read Acts 13:45 and 46. Read one of the most important key verses in the Bible - Romans 11:30.

Did Matthew 28:18 and 19 authorize the apostles to preach twelve years to the Jews, with the understanding that if they did not accept the gospel, the apostles were to turn to the Gentiles and disciple all nations because the Jews refused to be discipled? If so, what would have happened if Israel had received the Word of God? The Gentiles were saved because Israel fell. (Romans 11:11). What if they had not fallen? Do not hurry away from this question. Christ was raised to be Israel’s Saviour. Acts 5:30 to 32 - Acts 13:30 to 36). Israel received Him not. (John 1:10). Israel would not receive Christ in incarnation. (Matthew 21:42). Then Christ in resurrection was offered to Israel. But again Israel received Him not, but received blindness from God. (Romans 11:5 to 11). Then Christ turned Paul, with the gospel of grace, to Gentiles, (Romans 11:30 - Romans 11:15).

Some day all Israel will be saved and then again many Gentiles will turn to the Lord, as did Cornelius when Peter used the keys to the kingdom. (Romans 11:26 - Isaiah 62:1 to 4 - Ezekiel 36:22 to 34).

Israel will rise again and the gospel of the kingdom will be preached as a witness among all nations (Matthew 24:13 and 14).

But now Israel is fallen and the gospel of the grace of God is being preached to Gentiles because of Israel’s fall and unbelief. (Romans 11:11 and 30). Gentile salvation in the Bible must be studied with the rise and fall of Israel.

Paul received the grace gospel not from Peter and the Eleven, nor from the great commission, but by revelation from Christ. (Galatians 1:11 and 12). Compare Matthew 28:19 and 20 with Ephesians 3:1 to 4.

When Israel was cast away, God had a “new creation” program, with the new commission, the ministry of reconciliation. (Romans 11:15 - II Corinthians 5:16 to 18). Read these Scriptures. God did not turn from Israel at the time they crucified Christ, but later. (Acts 3:26 - Acts 5:30 to 32).

Because of God’s radical change from the great commission of Matthew 28:19 and 20 to the “reconciliation” commission of II Corinthians 5:18 to 20, we have the double “henceforth” of II Corinthians 5:16 and the “henceforth” of Acts 18:6. Read these verses and know the truth of Romans 11:30 to 32.

Then follows the record of the new program in this language: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:” Ephesians 3:1 and 2.

God’s Word is “test things that differ.” The great commission and Peter’s keys of the kingdom of heaven are quite different from Paul’s dispensation of the grace of God.

 How God Saves Men

Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.

Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.

Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4

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