Tuesday, September 8, 2009

35) Gentiles were without hope in the Old Covenant era

Ephesians 2:11-12 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— (12) remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Gentiles were without God, had no hope for salvation in the old covenant era, and were alienated from the nation of Israel. In the law covenant, God himself placed a wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles. While there was a small remnant saved by grace, the Israelites were NOT a spiritually redeemed people. They were a chosen physical nation that had the advantage of the Abrahamic covenant of promise, the law covenant, and the gospel promise clearly presented. The gospel of grace was preached to Abraham [Galatians 3:8], but this gospel was not proclaimed to the Gentiles in the old covenant.

Focus on Christ #35

1 comment:

jazzycat said...

This is the first post that will carry us through Eph. 2:11-22. This passage is just one of many that are very problematic for covenant theology and dispensationalism......