Incidentally, Hume conceded that there is no rational excuse for the worship of many gods.
Were men led into the apprehension of invisible intelligent power by contemplation of Nature, they could never possibly entertain any conception but of one single Being, who bestowed existence and order on this vast machine and adjusted all its parts to one regular system (quoted by Monser 1961, 494).
This speaks to the issue of the Gentile idolatry described in the context of Romans 1:20ff.
Professor Alan Johnson, a respected biblical scholar, tells of a missionary in northern Brazil who once observed a native enter his village. He was extremely nervous and fidgety, and his brow was covered with sweat. He seemed quite uneasy, even in the presence of his friends. Later, it was discovered that he had just killed a man from another tribe-although it was not considered wrong to kill a member of some other tribe, and he would not have been condemned by his peers. The man obviously was under the internal pressure of a guilty conscience (1976, 44; emphasis added).
The conscience is a part of the human package, and it demonstrates a moral chasm between men and women and other biological creatures of our planet ( Genesis 1:26-27).
EVIDENCE OF DIVINE CONCERN FOR THE GENTILES.
Though the Old Testament story is mainly the story of the Hebrews' role in God's wonderful plan for human redemption, there are numerous glimpses in the sacred literature of the early history of divine interest in, and provisions for, Gentile salvation.
(3) There is a fundamental fact of human history. Humanity was created in the image of God ( Genesis 1:26-27). This does not have reference to the physical features of humankind, for God is not physical ( Matthew 16:17; John 4:24; Luke 24:39); rather, as noted above, it alludes to intangible qualities that were created resident in the spirit of the person. This aspect of human personality is what Paul called conscience. The English word derives from the Greek term, syneidesis, a compound term signifying "to know together." It reflects a common knowledge that human beings share with one another of a sense of religious and moral culpability.
As one scholar noted: "According to Romans 2:14-15 conscience is innate and universal. It is not the product of environment, training, habit, race impression, or education, though it is influenced by all these factors" (Rehwinkel 1999, 136). The ancient Gentiles, therefore, were not judged by the same rule as the Jews, but they were not void of law and culpability. Elsewhere the matterhas been described in this way:
[T]he threefold workings of the law, in that the guidance of their heart predisposes them to know the right, the testimony of their conscience bears witness with their heart that the right is preferable, and lastly, after the deed is done, their thoughts or inward reasonings accuse or excuse them according as their act has been wrong or right. These well-known psychological phenomena, observable among the Gentiles, are proof conclusive that they are not without law, with its power and privilege of justification (McGarvey and Pendleton n.d., 313).
The ancient Gentiles were not judged by the same rule as the Jews due to the fact that the Hebrews had a written revelation from God (the law of Moses, and eventually the completed body of the Old Testament Scriptures), while the other nations did not; the Gentiles, therefore, were evaluated by a more general standard than the Jews. Paul wrote:
Romans 2:14-16.
From this text, as well as supplementary data, the following facts can be deduced:
(1) While the Gentiles did not have a written law (e.g., the law of Moses) certainly on occasions they had communications from Jehovah (cf. Genesis 3:9; 4:6; 6:13ff; 12:1ff, etc.), and divine traditions surely were echoed across the centuries.
(2) There is something "written within the heart," i.e., in the human psyche, that "by nature" (physis) urges one to do what he perceives to be right and refrain from what he feels to be wrong. It has been defined as the "natural sense of what is right and wrong" (Thayer 1958, 661). This moral sense cannot minutely define right and wrong, but it can initiate some broad and strong inclinations.
This certainly is evidenced by the fact that Adam and Eve felt guilt after having eaten the forbidden fruit, even before confronted by God ( Genesis 3:7-10). "Condemned by their own consciences, they were ashamed and afraid to meet their benefactor and friend-an inevitable consequence of sin" (Campbell 1958, 32).
"There is no witness so terrible-no accuser so powerful as conscience which dwells within us" (Sophocles). "Man's conscience is the oracle of God" (Lord Byron).
Here's a portion of an article from Wayne Jackson.
Part 1 of ?
Gentile Accountability
That the ancient Gentile world was religiously and morally culpable before the Creator is most obvious from the testimony of both Old and New Testaments. In literature of the Old Testament, the idolatry of the pagans is condemned repeatedly, and judgments from God were visited upon these peoples.
(1) Gentile idolatry is condemned as sin by the prophets of God (see Exodus 20:3-5; 32:35; Numbers 25:1-9; Deuteronomy 5:7-9; 6:4, etc.). The captivity of the southern kingdom of Judah was attributed directly to the worship of the false gods of the Gentiles ( 2 Kings 22:17). For an extensive array of information on this theme, see Helmbold 2003, 697-708.
(2) Gentile immorality was exposed and rebuked by the Old Testament writers. For example, in Amos 1:3 - 2:3, the prophet denounced Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, and Edom for their brutality toward their neighbors. The Ammonites "ripped open pregnant women" in their vicious conquests, etc. See also the extensive material presentation of judgments against the heathen nations contemporary with the prophet Jeremiah (chapters 46-51).
(3) In his epistle to the Christians in Rome, Paul describes the religious-moral conditions of the Roman world.
Romans 1:24-27.
From these facts, therefore, one may conclude: (1) Sin is a transgression of divine law ( 1 John 3:4); conversely, where there is no law, there is no sin ( Romans 4:15). (2) But the Gentiles were indicted as sinners. (3) Consequently, they were amenable to a law, and they had violated that law. That their actions were designated as sin likewise implies that they were under divine law.
This is probably a very stupid question, being 72 yrs. old my memory is not what it use to be, nevertheless I ask anyway.
Q. Before Jesus came to earth and died for us on Calvary, the Jewish people lived under the law and did sacrifices and offerings and thus was looking to the Cross: what did the Gentiles do. If i remember correctly, Paul brought the message of Salvation to the Gentiles, but before this how were Gentiles Saved
Hi Cassandra. Yes, they most certainly do, if they have recognized Jesus as their Messiah, turned to Him in faith, confessing their sins & being born again of His Spirit. When once they had trusted in keeping the Laws & their special heritage from God to be eternally secure, if they now realize that obedience to the Law, which only brings death, is of absolutely no worth when compared to the obedience to Christ & His Spirit Who gives eternal life, then they like all others who confess Jesus will go to be with the Lord (see Romans 7:9,10; Romans 2:28,29; 2 Corinthians 3:6-8; Romans 8:8-10).
Jews who have recognized Jesus as the true Messiah, often refer to themselves as Messianic Jews: acknowledging that their longed for Messiah has indeed come & first brought salvation & new birth within the sinner (both Jew & Gentile), & then will one day come in Glory to bring salvation from their enemies & a new government raised & governed in righteousness.
I appreciate your exactness. I have understood it to mean what you've stated. With emphasis on "few''. With a cross reference to Matthew 22:14. Matthew 20:16, Numbers 26:54, Luke 13:23-24, Matthew 7:14,22,23,
Romans 5:19 with "many" referred to in like manner: because scripture says 'all' Romans 3:23,
Romans 2:12,
Perhaps the word "many" is used to help us understand the magnitude of people and striking contrast to the emphasis on the word "few" as opposed to a translation of "all" would it seem impossible or less significant per the reader?
I would like to add one or two more things that I believe is to be very important. Whether by water baptism or baptism by the Holyspirit, is it evident in your life that spiritual baptism has taken place.
You will run into 2 major groups engage on this topic. One group is those who believe you are saved by confessing Jesus and keeping the commandments. Some of this group believe you can lose your salvation. This group is bond to a work base religion.
The other group believes "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Even the faith you are being saved through is not your faith! it is a gift of God!
You have nothing to offer God in terms of salvation! I hold this view.
True baptism when you "GENUINELY" accept Christ as your savior there is production in your life that begins. You can't produce it or keep it from producing as you feed on the word.
I will share a few by verses below and hopefully others can expand on them or add to.
Notice Paul' he didn't have much to say about water baptism, but he had a lot to say about baptism by the Holyspirit.
Romans 6:4.
Romans 6:6-8.
Romans 6:11.
It does well to study all of Romans 6 to expand a little on "the production' of spiritual baptism.
JOHNS BAPTISM.
you can see a picture of this transition for the Jews drawn out for you by Paul in Romans 7:1-2. Read all.
Now read Mathew 3:10-11.
Israel was a natural branch that didn't bear fruit. Jeremiah 2:21. "Nor could it"
Also read Mathew 21:42-44. and John 15:1-7.
Now let's get back to our 2 groups.
You have the 1st group I mentioned that put themselves in bondage as did Israel and despising the truth.
believing in baptism outwardly but unbaptized inwardly.
There are multiple ways to prove God exists. Our own human conscience proves that God exists. It is our human nature to know what is right and what is wrong. Even if we don't know God, or don't believe God, it is God in our conscience within each of us to reason right from wrong. How would we know right from wrong if not?
Here is Paul explaining this in scripture:
Romans 2:14-15
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;
Hi Alex; After reading what you wrote I agree that there is a spiritual Israel, the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 2:29 all Christians are circumcised in their hearts and are Jews, meaning all people regardless of color or nationality, male or female, we are now the heirs of the promises of Abraham. Galatians 3:29 However, I do not agree that God has or ever will have a grandson, The Holy Ghost is God in the doctrine of the godhead Colossians 2:9 and all Christians are his children, not his grand children.
I am Amazed! The amount of conversation on this web site that focuses on hell and condemnation and what will happen if you don't believe is remarkably opposite of what attracted me to God. I am reminded of Romans 2:3+4
especially 4 where it is the GOODNESS OF GOD that leads you to repentance which is a change of heart towards the
one that did the good. I'm aware the Jesus taught about the consequences of unbelief but that was NOT all He talked
or preached about. He taught of how God is a loving , forgiving, tender merciful, all knowing, graceful, and full of
peace and life giving. He didn't dwell on the stuff of the enemy, when I've had the privilege of sharing Gods Word
most of these lost already are in hell [figuratively speaking in their minds the darkness of unbelief] then you love
them into the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 remember we plant and water in Love and God gives the increase also
judge not for thou shalt be judged. I know some one now that BELIEVES if she makes a false move GOD WILL PUNISH
HER and that's a lie, and she's born again! How can you reach out to others when your in a state of mental terror
thinking any little error you'll be judged for that's torment not freedom in Christ. That's what others taught her
is the way it is, somebodies got to be wrong and it isn't my Loving Father and that's the GOOD NEWS of FREEDOM
BY JESUS CHRIST! First announcement of angels to Shepherds regarding His birth PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL
TOWARDS MEN THIS IS GODS WILL. Last 1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men saved and to come to a knowledge
of the truth. The word will is Thelema primary objective or desire! The enemies desire is the opposite he doesn't
In the Old Testament a gentile could become an Israelite by being circumcised in the flesh.
TODAY a gentile becomes an Israelite by being circumcised in the heart.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly: and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but God.
Dear GiGi again. In Jesus Name i have experienced the opposite of what you say, for all eight years.
If we follow The free will we have, and live in it, is from the dark ones. But its thru He have give us a free will and we NEED to pray " i dont want my free will " take it away dear Jesus! Those ppl who will follow Him need too crucify the flesh. And keep theyr tongue tied, and thoughts as well. We are on our way, and Learning from Him the Holy Spirit.
Ill promised God I would read the scriptures for as long as I lived, and ill see many hidden meaning in Scripture today. But then That was a real pray after God Fathers hearth! :D And the day come when He open up the Scripture for me. The words was like fire and the letters moved around for a sec or two.
And no flesh can be saved without Him
John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Soo those time i go and tell somthing like heavenly to other ppl, they fall short because they do not understand.
And in that it comes arguing and all kinds of evil. Soo when ill sheer something here in web site. I do understand that some ppl can speculate and may not believe it is true. But i promise u its thru all of it.
Romans 2:
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first,
B) Distinctions Between GREAT GRACE Departure and Second Coming continued
The Second 'prophesied' Coming
Rightly Divided 2 Timothy 2:15 From Things That DIFFER
God's PRE-TOJT Great GRACE Departure, According to The Heavenly 'Mystery!'
1) Immediately After GRACE Has ENDED/ZERO signs!
CHRIST, As Head Of His Body, The Church, Will Descend From Heaven! Ephesians 1:19-23Colossians 1:181 Thessalonians 4:16-17
2) CHRIST Is Coming With A Shout, With the voice of an archangel, And With The Trump of God! 1 Thessalonians 4:16
3) JESUS CHRIST, Who Is God, Will Bring With Him, those "asleep In JESUS," who Were With Him In Heaven! 2 Corinthians 5:6,8Philippians 1:21,231 Thessalonians 4:13,14
4) CHRIST Descends With One archangel, Will resurrect those asleep (in 3) First, and Then, we "which are alive and remain (which Is A Mystery)," will be changed/all "incorruptible, And Caught Up together (rapture) to meet The LORD in the air (Not all the way to the earth), in the twinkling of an eye!" 1 Thessalonians 4:16-171 Corinthians 15:52-53
5) CHRIST "Gathers His Body To HIMSELF, to Take them To Heaven" (Opposite of earth)... 2 Thessalonians 2:1-31 Corinthians 15:492 Corinthians 12:22 Corinthians 5:1,2Ephesians 1:3,20Ephesians 2:6Philippians 3:202 Timothy 4:18
6) ...For The Judgment Seat Of CHRIST, For HIS Heavenly Body, By The Head Himself!... Romans 2:6,16 Romans 14:10-121 Corinthians 3:6-111 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 6:202 Corinthians 5:10Ephesians 6:8Colossians 3:24-25
The one thing that attracted me years ago to the word was the Love of God shown by Jesus Christ, and in
Romans 2:4 second half its the goodness of God that leadeth thee to repentance[ a change of mind leading to a change
of heart]. According to 1 Timothy 2:2 Gods will is to have all men saved to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
the truth. In John 3:16 which is familiar to most if not all of us, God so loved the world that he gave[it was his will to
save his creation includes all men] his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have
everlasting life. 17 he that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already.
The reason is stated next because they loved there own deeds or works which were wrong being blinded by Pride
greed lust literally loved themselves at the expense many times of others lives that's evil. So don't tell me I'm
doing anything wrong I've got everything I want so why should I change. They loved there deeds and are blinded by
2 Corinthians 4:4 the god of this world still what you sew is what you reap and they are without excuse. 1 John 2:15+16
can dim the Glow of Gods light in us if we allow it also be not quick to condemn
or judge, we at one time were there. We plant and water in Love but Father gives the increase. Jesus Christ spent a lot more time teaching principles of our Fathers love and
walking with God than the end result of unbelief because Gods desire is to have no one join or taken down by
His Arch enemy. Weare indeed the preservers or the Salt until we are gathered together. Just some heart
Sorry, it took me a while to study your posts. Scripture is clear; the lake of fire is real and it was prepared for Satan and his angels, Matthew 25:41. Those whose name is not in the book of life will be cast into this lake of fire, the second death, this is the death the saints will be spared. According to scripture we all will be judged and our reward will be given, good or bad according to our works Revelation 22:12. Each of us will have different rewards, some lights will be brighter than others, Daniel 12:2-3 and whether in the lake of fire, the punishments may be also judged accordingly.
My understanding is we do not get a second chance for salvation after this life in this flesh, Hebrews 9:27. We have this, there are evil and good people that live and have lived and those who did not have a chance to hear of the word of God, this may show how they will be judged at the white throne judgment, Romans 2:12-15 (this is my understanding of this), but those who have heard and rejected it, Katy bar the door.
I must humbly disagree, I am not in the lake of fire, we will be judged with fire, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. The Bible has symbolic wording but represents real things, people, kingdoms, etc. I am sorry I can't follow interpreting the scriptures by allegorizing all, I feel we turn all scripture into parables.
Hello GiGi, What I meant was that there is only one gospel that can save mankind today, and that is the gospel of grace ( Acts 20:241 Corinthians 15: 1-4 That Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day. Appropriated by faith alone apart from the Mosaic law ( Romans 3:20,21) The gospel of grace and doctrines for the body of Christ, the Church, was a secret ( Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3: 1-11) hidden in the mind of God until revealed to the apostle Paul. In other words, between the time God called Abraham and the calling of the apostle Paul, there was no message of salvation to the Gentile world ( Ephesians 2:11,12). The gospel of grace is most clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 " Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. Paul's Gospel: The apostle Paul Holy Spirit inspired of course, repeatedly referred to the gospel of grace as "my gospel"( Romans 2:16, 16:25 Galatians 2:2,7: 2 Timothy 2:8) Paul could say this because the gospel of grace was in fact revealed to Paul alone and he was chosen by the ascended and risen Lord Himself to be the apostle of the Gentiles( Acts 9:15, Romans 11:13) These new revelations came approximately10 years after Pentecost ( Galatians 1:1,11-12;17) All mankind during the age of grace will be judged according to Paul's gospel. " In the day that God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel" Romans 2:16 Paul warned mankind twice in Galatians, anyone that preached any other gospel then what was revealed to him by the ascended Lord Himself will be cursed " Please read Galatians 1: 8-9 KJV
From the first Adam, all have sinned Romans 5:12. Even without the law we have sinned, there are people in this world that do much evil and there are people in this world that do much good and neither have never seen a bible or heard of Jesus. From the first Adam, not only death was passed, every person is born with the knowledge of good and evil, it is written in our conscience. With or without the knowledge of the law, one may choose to either do evil or do good.
We see in Romans 2:12-15, read the entire chapter. Jesus first came almost 2000 years ago, the Messiah for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then by the grace of God, the gospel of Jesus was given to all the other nations. Millions of people lived and died before He first came, are they doomed to eternal death? Millions since have never heard of Him, are they doomed?
What we should contemplate, will we that have heard the gospel of Jesus be held to a higher standard of judgment? We see when Jesus sent the disciples out to tell people the kingdom of heaven is at hand, what it would be like if they rejected it. Matthew 10:14-15.
Many see the great white throne judgment is only for the lost, but in my understanding, scripture does not support that. We have Daniel 12:2John 5:28-29Matthew 25:31-46, and more, and the parables. After the one thousand years, Revelation 20:11-15. All the rest of the dead small and great, raised from the dead, they will be judged out of the books and one of these books is the book of life, and whoever was not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. Would the book of life be needed if all were lost? God is a just God and we can trust in His word.
This is my understanding, may others have another view.
The two marks defining the people of God (Israel) were Circumcision & giving of the Law. No other people or nation received those directives from God ( Genesis 17:10,11; Leviticus 26:46). In regards to the Law, they were to learn God's requirements for a familial relationship to Him, to their society, & in their personal lives. For circumcision, they were to be marked out in a way distinct from any other (different from any body markings, cuttings or disfigurement of the heathen, even if there was an accidental loss of an organ or an appendage). And of course, the Apostle Paul spoke of this in Romans 2:25-29, connecting the two directives together - that one couldn't be without the other to the Jew - and since the Law couldn't be kept perfectly, true circumcision then must be of the heart & not of the flesh to count before God. I wonder whether what was given as a Mark of distinction & also for hygiene purposes, was also to alert the Jew that this seemingly unnatural act (of circumcision) was to point him to what the apostle now learned as a believer.
And this practise of circumcision continued, not only within Judaism, but also Islam. Yet as much as Islamists (Arabs) might have their heritage back to Seth, yet "in Isaac shall thy seed be called" ( Genesis 21:12 & Romans 9:6-8). And this rejection of Ishmael by God will always keep those adherents at odds with the "seed of Isaac", & will most likely figure in those awful days of devastation that lie ahead.
and his name was blashmd through all the gentiles this makes me think of every time man cusses and says GD. and when i started this i notice how hard it was to say JESUS name around certain ppl and how ppl could not even say his name or read the bible with out getting sleepy. you see we are real close to going back to the days when man takes all the glory for his self and the idols they have made they worshipp and kill the dollar bill they kill and steal and make up sick twisted cults that mock and slander the son they use fear to control humans these ppl use the same tools as the devil to control the world thats why i say we living in the days and we need to be brave and bold to let these ppl know hey i see what you doing i know the devise you have to control the ppl of faiths mind and this is a abomination of man i see and i lay my life down for the truth to up root evil in this wicked world that isnt supposed to be wicked but good no pain no suffer god bless you all.
Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Hello, if we have no free will, what is the purpose of evangelism? If we have no free will what is the purpose of the gospel? If we have no free will, what is the purpose of following Jesus? Did you have freewill to write your question or did something force you to? Did it force you onto this website and are you a prisoner? When you brush your teeth is a force making you do that?
That's an interesting concept that we have no freewill, but it just seems to fall apart quickly with pure logic. Adam and Eve were given an choice and disobeyed God and received a punishment. Today we are given choices of whether to do good or evil and then are judged after this life according to what we have done. Romans 2:6. If there was no free will, why would anyone be judged?
I believe a movement in our society is against Christianity and they like to claim that we're only clumps of cells and that morality is only relative and that we have no choice when we do wrong. It just seems like a lazy way to rationalize committing sin and defying God. The word says to fear God who can send you to hell. Matthew 10:28. Obviously, if there was zero free will or choice then we wouldn't be continually warned to obey, avoid sin, follow Jesus. No freewill would mean everything is a charade and is meaningless. Obviously that idea is a lie and we do have freewill. I choose to respond vs not respond to this question out of my own freewill and hope to help others and help spread truth to replace lies. God bless...
Part 5.
Incidentally, Hume conceded that there is no rational excuse for the worship of many gods.
Were men led into the apprehension of invisible intelligent power by contemplation of Nature, they could never possibly entertain any conception but of one single Being, who bestowed existence and order on this vast machine and adjusted all its parts to one regular system (quoted by Monser 1961, 494).
This speaks to the issue of the Gentile idolatry described in the context of Romans 1:20ff.
Professor Alan Johnson, a respected biblical scholar, tells of a missionary in northern Brazil who once observed a native enter his village. He was extremely nervous and fidgety, and his brow was covered with sweat. He seemed quite uneasy, even in the presence of his friends. Later, it was discovered that he had just killed a man from another tribe-although it was not considered wrong to kill a member of some other tribe, and he would not have been condemned by his peers. The man obviously was under the internal pressure of a guilty conscience (1976, 44; emphasis added).
The conscience is a part of the human package, and it demonstrates a moral chasm between men and women and other biological creatures of our planet ( Genesis 1:26-27).
EVIDENCE OF DIVINE CONCERN FOR THE GENTILES.
Though the Old Testament story is mainly the story of the Hebrews' role in God's wonderful plan for human redemption, there are numerous glimpses in the sacred literature of the early history of divine interest in, and provisions for, Gentile salvation.
See Part 6.
Part 3.
(3) There is a fundamental fact of human history. Humanity was created in the image of God ( Genesis 1:26-27). This does not have reference to the physical features of humankind, for God is not physical ( Matthew 16:17; John 4:24; Luke 24:39); rather, as noted above, it alludes to intangible qualities that were created resident in the spirit of the person. This aspect of human personality is what Paul called conscience. The English word derives from the Greek term, syneidesis, a compound term signifying "to know together." It reflects a common knowledge that human beings share with one another of a sense of religious and moral culpability.
As one scholar noted: "According to Romans 2:14-15 conscience is innate and universal. It is not the product of environment, training, habit, race impression, or education, though it is influenced by all these factors" (Rehwinkel 1999, 136). The ancient Gentiles, therefore, were not judged by the same rule as the Jews, but they were not void of law and culpability. Elsewhere the matterhas been described in this way:
[T]he threefold workings of the law, in that the guidance of their heart predisposes them to know the right, the testimony of their conscience bears witness with their heart that the right is preferable, and lastly, after the deed is done, their thoughts or inward reasonings accuse or excuse them according as their act has been wrong or right. These well-known psychological phenomena, observable among the Gentiles, are proof conclusive that they are not without law, with its power and privilege of justification (McGarvey and Pendleton n.d., 313).
See part 4.
Part 2.
The Inward Law
The ancient Gentiles were not judged by the same rule as the Jews due to the fact that the Hebrews had a written revelation from God (the law of Moses, and eventually the completed body of the Old Testament Scriptures), while the other nations did not; the Gentiles, therefore, were evaluated by a more general standard than the Jews. Paul wrote:
Romans 2:14-16.
From this text, as well as supplementary data, the following facts can be deduced:
(1) While the Gentiles did not have a written law (e.g., the law of Moses) certainly on occasions they had communications from Jehovah (cf. Genesis 3:9; 4:6; 6:13ff; 12:1ff, etc.), and divine traditions surely were echoed across the centuries.
(2) There is something "written within the heart," i.e., in the human psyche, that "by nature" (physis) urges one to do what he perceives to be right and refrain from what he feels to be wrong. It has been defined as the "natural sense of what is right and wrong" (Thayer 1958, 661). This moral sense cannot minutely define right and wrong, but it can initiate some broad and strong inclinations.
This certainly is evidenced by the fact that Adam and Eve felt guilt after having eaten the forbidden fruit, even before confronted by God ( Genesis 3:7-10). "Condemned by their own consciences, they were ashamed and afraid to meet their benefactor and friend-an inevitable consequence of sin" (Campbell 1958, 32).
"There is no witness so terrible-no accuser so powerful as conscience which dwells within us" (Sophocles). "Man's conscience is the oracle of God" (Lord Byron).
See Part 3.
That is a great question!!
Here's a portion of an article from Wayne Jackson.
Part 1 of ?
Gentile Accountability
That the ancient Gentile world was religiously and morally culpable before the Creator is most obvious from the testimony of both Old and New Testaments. In literature of the Old Testament, the idolatry of the pagans is condemned repeatedly, and judgments from God were visited upon these peoples.
(1) Gentile idolatry is condemned as sin by the prophets of God (see Exodus 20:3-5; 32:35; Numbers 25:1-9; Deuteronomy 5:7-9; 6:4, etc.). The captivity of the southern kingdom of Judah was attributed directly to the worship of the false gods of the Gentiles ( 2 Kings 22:17). For an extensive array of information on this theme, see Helmbold 2003, 697-708.
(2) Gentile immorality was exposed and rebuked by the Old Testament writers. For example, in Amos 1:3 - 2:3, the prophet denounced Damascus, Gaza, Tyre, and Edom for their brutality toward their neighbors. The Ammonites "ripped open pregnant women" in their vicious conquests, etc. See also the extensive material presentation of judgments against the heathen nations contemporary with the prophet Jeremiah (chapters 46-51).
(3) In his epistle to the Christians in Rome, Paul describes the religious-moral conditions of the Roman world.
Romans 1:24-27.
From these facts, therefore, one may conclude: (1) Sin is a transgression of divine law ( 1 John 3:4); conversely, where there is no law, there is no sin ( Romans 4:15). (2) But the Gentiles were indicted as sinners. (3) Consequently, they were amenable to a law, and they had violated that law. That their actions were designated as sin likewise implies that they were under divine law.
See part 2.
Q. Before Jesus came to earth and died for us on Calvary, the Jewish people lived under the law and did sacrifices and offerings and thus was looking to the Cross: what did the Gentiles do. If i remember correctly, Paul brought the message of Salvation to the Gentiles, but before this how were Gentiles Saved
Jews who have recognized Jesus as the true Messiah, often refer to themselves as Messianic Jews: acknowledging that their longed for Messiah has indeed come & first brought salvation & new birth within the sinner (both Jew & Gentile), & then will one day come in Glory to bring salvation from their enemies & a new government raised & governed in righteousness.
Romans 3:23, 3:10, 5:12, 6:23, 5:8,
10:9-10, 10:13, 10:17
These were the scriptures I memorized as a rookie street preacher. :)
Chapter 1: it shows us how God has shown us through His Creation, that all we see and know didn't happen all by itself.
Just knowing the complexity of the human body should convince us.
There's a link on the entrance page: Become A Christian, that has book of zRomans scriptures.
Let me know what you think. Blessings.
Thank you.
I appreciate your exactness. I have understood it to mean what you've stated. With emphasis on "few''. With a cross reference to Matthew 22:14. Matthew 20:16, Numbers 26:54, Luke 13:23-24, Matthew 7:14,22,23,
Romans 5:19 with "many" referred to in like manner: because scripture says 'all' Romans 3:23,
Romans 2:12,
Perhaps the word "many" is used to help us understand the magnitude of people and striking contrast to the emphasis on the word "few" as opposed to a translation of "all" would it seem impossible or less significant per the reader?
Hopefully this is helpful.
Mathew 3:10-11.
I would like to add one or two more things that I believe is to be very important. Whether by water baptism or baptism by the Holyspirit, is it evident in your life that spiritual baptism has taken place.
You will run into 2 major groups engage on this topic. One group is those who believe you are saved by confessing Jesus and keeping the commandments. Some of this group believe you can lose your salvation. This group is bond to a work base religion.
The other group believes "for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Even the faith you are being saved through is not your faith! it is a gift of God!
You have nothing to offer God in terms of salvation! I hold this view.
True baptism when you "GENUINELY" accept Christ as your savior there is production in your life that begins. You can't produce it or keep it from producing as you feed on the word.
I will share a few by verses below and hopefully others can expand on them or add to.
Notice Paul' he didn't have much to say about water baptism, but he had a lot to say about baptism by the Holyspirit.
Romans 6:4.
Romans 6:6-8.
Romans 6:11.
It does well to study all of Romans 6 to expand a little on "the production' of spiritual baptism.
JOHNS BAPTISM.
you can see a picture of this transition for the Jews drawn out for you by Paul in Romans 7:1-2. Read all.
Now read Mathew 3:10-11.
Israel was a natural branch that didn't bear fruit. Jeremiah 2:21. "Nor could it"
Also read Mathew 21:42-44. and John 15:1-7.
Now let's get back to our 2 groups.
You have the 1st group I mentioned that put themselves in bondage as did Israel and despising the truth.
believing in baptism outwardly but unbaptized inwardly.
EXAMPLE: Romans 2:25-29.
The 2nd group
Philippians 3:3.
Galatians 3:13.
John 8:36.
The outcome.
1John 2:3.
1 John 4:21.
This Love cannot be produced by self.
God bless.
Here is Paul explaining this in scripture:
Romans 2:14-15
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;
God Bless.
matter what, and there is no respect of persons Romans 2:6-11y
especially 4 where it is the GOODNESS OF GOD that leads you to repentance which is a change of heart towards the
one that did the good. I'm aware the Jesus taught about the consequences of unbelief but that was NOT all He talked
or preached about. He taught of how God is a loving , forgiving, tender merciful, all knowing, graceful, and full of
peace and life giving. He didn't dwell on the stuff of the enemy, when I've had the privilege of sharing Gods Word
most of these lost already are in hell [figuratively speaking in their minds the darkness of unbelief] then you love
them into the truth. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 remember we plant and water in Love and God gives the increase also
judge not for thou shalt be judged. I know some one now that BELIEVES if she makes a false move GOD WILL PUNISH
HER and that's a lie, and she's born again! How can you reach out to others when your in a state of mental terror
thinking any little error you'll be judged for that's torment not freedom in Christ. That's what others taught her
is the way it is, somebodies got to be wrong and it isn't my Loving Father and that's the GOOD NEWS of FREEDOM
BY JESUS CHRIST! First announcement of angels to Shepherds regarding His birth PEACE ON EARTH GOOD WILL
TOWARDS MEN THIS IS GODS WILL. Last 1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men saved and to come to a knowledge
of the truth. The word will is Thelema primary objective or desire! The enemies desire is the opposite he doesn't
need help.
In the Old Testament a gentile could become an Israelite by being circumcised in the flesh.
TODAY a gentile becomes an Israelite by being circumcised in the heart.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly: and circumcision is of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but God.
If we follow The free will we have, and live in it, is from the dark ones. But its thru He have give us a free will and we NEED to pray " i dont want my free will " take it away dear Jesus! Those ppl who will follow Him need too crucify the flesh. And keep theyr tongue tied, and thoughts as well. We are on our way, and Learning from Him the Holy Spirit.
Ill promised God I would read the scriptures for as long as I lived, and ill see many hidden meaning in Scripture today. But then That was a real pray after God Fathers hearth! :D And the day come when He open up the Scripture for me. The words was like fire and the letters moved around for a sec or two.
And no flesh can be saved without Him
John 15:5
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Soo those time i go and tell somthing like heavenly to other ppl, they fall short because they do not understand.
And in that it comes arguing and all kinds of evil. Soo when ill sheer something here in web site. I do understand that some ppl can speculate and may not believe it is true. But i promise u its thru all of it.
Romans 2:
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first,
and further :p In Jesus Name
B) Distinctions Between GREAT GRACE Departure and Second Coming continued
The Second 'prophesied' Coming
Rightly Divided 2 Timothy 2:15 From Things That DIFFER
God's PRE-TOJT Great GRACE Departure, According to The Heavenly 'Mystery!'
1) Immediately After GRACE Has ENDED/ZERO signs!
CHRIST, As Head Of His Body, The Church, Will Descend From Heaven! Ephesians 1:19-23 Colossians 1:18 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
2) CHRIST Is Coming With A Shout, With the voice of an archangel, And With The Trump of God! 1 Thessalonians 4:16
3) JESUS CHRIST, Who Is God, Will Bring With Him, those "asleep In JESUS," who Were With Him In Heaven! 2 Corinthians 5:6,8 Philippians 1:21,23 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14
4) CHRIST Descends With One archangel, Will resurrect those asleep (in 3) First, and Then, we "which are alive and remain (which Is A Mystery)," will be changed/all "incorruptible, And Caught Up together (rapture) to meet The LORD in the air (Not all the way to the earth), in the twinkling of an eye!" 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 1 Corinthians 15:52-53
5) CHRIST "Gathers His Body To HIMSELF, to Take them To Heaven" (Opposite of earth)... 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 1 Corinthians 15:49 2 Corinthians 12:2 2 Corinthians 5:1,2 Ephesians 1:3,20 Ephesians 2:6 Philippians 3:20 2 Timothy 4:18
6) ...For The Judgment Seat Of CHRIST, For HIS Heavenly Body, By The Head Himself!... Romans 2:6,16 Romans 14:10-12 1 Corinthians 3:6-11 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 6:20 2 Corinthians 5:10 Ephesians 6:8 Colossians 3:24-25
to be continued in:
Part IV God's PRE-TOJT Great GRACE Departure!
The one thing that attracted me years ago to the word was the Love of God shown by Jesus Christ, and in
Romans 2:4 second half its the goodness of God that leadeth thee to repentance[ a change of mind leading to a change
of heart]. According to 1 Timothy 2:2 Gods will is to have all men saved to be saved and to come to the knowledge of
the truth. In John 3:16 which is familiar to most if not all of us, God so loved the world that he gave[it was his will to
save his creation includes all men] his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have
everlasting life. 17 he that believeth on him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already.
The reason is stated next because they loved there own deeds or works which were wrong being blinded by Pride
greed lust literally loved themselves at the expense many times of others lives that's evil. So don't tell me I'm
doing anything wrong I've got everything I want so why should I change. They loved there deeds and are blinded by
2 Corinthians 4:4 the god of this world still what you sew is what you reap and they are without excuse. 1 John 2:15+16
can dim the Glow of Gods light in us if we allow it also be not quick to condemn
or judge, we at one time were there. We plant and water in Love but Father gives the increase. Jesus Christ spent a lot more time teaching principles of our Fathers love and
walking with God than the end result of unbelief because Gods desire is to have no one join or taken down by
His Arch enemy. Weare indeed the preservers or the Salt until we are gathered together. Just some heart
Sorry, it took me a while to study your posts. Scripture is clear; the lake of fire is real and it was prepared for Satan and his angels, Matthew 25:41. Those whose name is not in the book of life will be cast into this lake of fire, the second death, this is the death the saints will be spared. According to scripture we all will be judged and our reward will be given, good or bad according to our works Revelation 22:12. Each of us will have different rewards, some lights will be brighter than others, Daniel 12:2-3 and whether in the lake of fire, the punishments may be also judged accordingly.
My understanding is we do not get a second chance for salvation after this life in this flesh, Hebrews 9:27. We have this, there are evil and good people that live and have lived and those who did not have a chance to hear of the word of God, this may show how they will be judged at the white throne judgment, Romans 2:12-15 (this is my understanding of this), but those who have heard and rejected it, Katy bar the door.
I must humbly disagree, I am not in the lake of fire, we will be judged with fire, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15. The Bible has symbolic wording but represents real things, people, kingdoms, etc. I am sorry I can't follow interpreting the scriptures by allegorizing all, I feel we turn all scripture into parables.
RLW
From the first Adam, all have sinned Romans 5:12. Even without the law we have sinned, there are people in this world that do much evil and there are people in this world that do much good and neither have never seen a bible or heard of Jesus. From the first Adam, not only death was passed, every person is born with the knowledge of good and evil, it is written in our conscience. With or without the knowledge of the law, one may choose to either do evil or do good.
We see in Romans 2:12-15, read the entire chapter. Jesus first came almost 2000 years ago, the Messiah for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then by the grace of God, the gospel of Jesus was given to all the other nations. Millions of people lived and died before He first came, are they doomed to eternal death? Millions since have never heard of Him, are they doomed?
What we should contemplate, will we that have heard the gospel of Jesus be held to a higher standard of judgment? We see when Jesus sent the disciples out to tell people the kingdom of heaven is at hand, what it would be like if they rejected it. Matthew 10:14-15.
Many see the great white throne judgment is only for the lost, but in my understanding, scripture does not support that. We have Daniel 12:2 John 5:28-29 Matthew 25:31-46, and more, and the parables. After the one thousand years, Revelation 20:11-15. All the rest of the dead small and great, raised from the dead, they will be judged out of the books and one of these books is the book of life, and whoever was not found in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. Would the book of life be needed if all were lost? God is a just God and we can trust in His word.
This is my understanding, may others have another view.
God bless,
RLW
And this practise of circumcision continued, not only within Judaism, but also Islam. Yet as much as Islamists (Arabs) might have their heritage back to Seth, yet "in Isaac shall thy seed be called" ( Genesis 21:12 & Romans 9:6-8). And this rejection of Ishmael by God will always keep those adherents at odds with the "seed of Isaac", & will most likely figure in those awful days of devastation that lie ahead.
Man makes CHOICES thousands or time a day; but those CHOICES have a CAUSE:
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh in you TO WILL and TO DO ....
They is never an effect without there first being a CAUSE.
God is sovereign and the CAUSE of everything.
Romans 2:4 Man repents be CAUSE of the goodness of God
Philippians 1:29 You BELIEVE be CAUSE Christ CAUSES you to believe.
Galatians 1:20 You have faith be CAUSE Christ GIVES you HIS faith.
John 6:44 No one comes to Christ with a CAUSE, the Father draws that person to Christ.
God CAUSES and DOES everything, man is the benefactor of CAUSES of GOD.
Colossians 1:17 ...and by him all thing consist.... even you CHOICES.
John 15:5 ...you can of yourself DO NOTHING...
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Romans 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
That's an interesting concept that we have no freewill, but it just seems to fall apart quickly with pure logic. Adam and Eve were given an choice and disobeyed God and received a punishment. Today we are given choices of whether to do good or evil and then are judged after this life according to what we have done. Romans 2:6. If there was no free will, why would anyone be judged?
I believe a movement in our society is against Christianity and they like to claim that we're only clumps of cells and that morality is only relative and that we have no choice when we do wrong. It just seems like a lazy way to rationalize committing sin and defying God. The word says to fear God who can send you to hell. Matthew 10:28. Obviously, if there was zero free will or choice then we wouldn't be continually warned to obey, avoid sin, follow Jesus. No freewill would mean everything is a charade and is meaningless. Obviously that idea is a lie and we do have freewill. I choose to respond vs not respond to this question out of my own freewill and hope to help others and help spread truth to replace lies. God bless...
This page might have more related verses.
Link