Bible Readings — Bible Questions Answered

Gentiles Become Spiritual Israelites

When the Jews rejected Paul’s preaching of the gospel, what did Paul and Barnabas say? BR-ASI9 484.8

“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46. BR-ASI9 484.9

Note.—From all this it is plain that had not the Jews as a nation rejected Christ, they would still have maintained the preeminence as the children of God, and as God’s light bearers to the world. But because of this rejection, they were rejected as God’s peculiar people, and others took their place, and now bear the name of Israel in common with those who were first called by that name. BR-ASI9 484.10

Under what figure are the Gentile believers represented who have become a part of the true Israel of God? BR-ASI9 484.11

“And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; boast not against the branches.” Romans 11:17, 18. BR-ASI9 484.12

Lest the Gentile grafts should boast, saying that the Jews were broken off to let them come in, what warning is given them? BR-ASI9 484.13

“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.” Romans 11:20, 21. BR-ASI9 484.14

What encouragement is held out concerning the branches that have been broken off? BR-ASI9 485.1

“And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.” Romans 11:23. BR-ASI9 485.2

Before the Gentiles become Israelites, in what condition are they? BR-ASI9 485.3

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles, . . . at that time, ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” Ephesians 2:11, 12. BR-ASI9 485.4