A Biblical Vision, Part I: Mastering the Old Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 7: Gent i l e I nc l us i on i n Ol d Tes tament Mes s i an i c Prophecy 129

are my God’” (Hosea 2.23). In Hosea these prophecies clearly refer to Israel, but Paul applies them to the Church, which consists of both Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 9.24). This does not mean that the title laos is taken from Israel, but that another people is brought into being along with Israel on a different basis. That Israel in some real sense remains the people of God is seen in Paul’s affirmation that the Jewish people are still a “holy” people (Rom. 11.16), a people belonging to God. The fate of the Jews is seen in the light of the whole history of Heilsgeschichte . If the patriarchs–the first fruits and the root–are holy, so is the whole people. They are still “beloved for the sake of their forefathers, for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11.28f.).

~ George Eldon Ladd. A Theology of the New Testament . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1974. pp. 537-38.

A. Gentile Inclusion in Old Testament Messianic Prophecy in Acts

1. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh, Joel 2.28-32

a. The day of Pentecost, Acts 2.17-21

b. Cornelius and his party, Acts 10.44-45 – While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. [45] And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

2. The rejection of Messiah from the “builders,” (Jewish leaders)

a. Jesus as the rejected cornerstone , Ps. 118.22 (Acts 4.11 – This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.)