Gentiles Before Acts 28:28 #2

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By Oscar M. Baker

Acts 20:24: “but none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.’ These Gentiles had such a great privilege, that is, without keeping the law or being circumcised, but by faith only – by the grace of God – they could partake of the blessings of Israel! This caused discontent among the Jews who had to keep the law, and these Gentiles could have the blessings of Israel without working for them, Acts 15:5 and elsewhere. Among these blessings, the Gentiles expected to meet the Lord in the clouds (2nd Coming of Christ). The so called Rapture was their hope. I Corinthians 15:51 and 52; I Thessalonians 4:13 – 17; Isaiah 66.

Gentiles partook of the Word of God that was sent to Israel, and at the Council in Jerusalem in Acts 15, they were told to abstain from 4 things so as not to offend the Jews, Acts 15:19 & 20. Then as further instruction, they were told they could hear Moses and the prophets in the synagogue every Saturday [“Sabbath day”] Acts 15:21.

These Gentiles partook of a calling that was from or since the foundation of the world, Matthew 25:34 (judgment of the Gentile nations in verse 32).

Acts Gentiles in a place where angels dwell, Hebrews 12:22, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.” Gentiles partaking of the blessings of Abraham had access to this angel ministry, Acts 10:3-7. Those “graffed in” (last part of Acts) will have a part in the New Jerusalem. Back in Ezekiel 47:21-23, it’s told that these Gentiles will have a portion with the tribes of Israel in the land during the Millennium. And have blessings with them at this time, and be partakers of the Promised Land, according to that [in Eze.].

Conclusion – this goes along with point #1 following statement; “During the last 18 years of Acts, Gentiles were in a position to receive blessings by being “graffed” into the true olive tree as a wild olive branch” see Romans 10:19 & 20; 11:13 & 14. These Gentiles before the end of Acts were blessed only for one reason (a secondary blessing) that Israel might be blessed – provoked to jealousy that they might bear fruit by the grafting in of the wild olive branch (this could not bear fruit). “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify my office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some.”

[From TFT tape 3-24-81.]