The Old Testament Witness to Christ and His Kingdom, Mentor's Guide, MG09

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T H E O L D T E S T A M E N T W I T N E S S T O C H R I S T A N D H I S K I N G D O M

The Bible is clear that salvation is of the Jews, and that we Gentiles, are included by the mercy and grace of God. A few representative passages should suffice to show this emphasis: Rom. 9.3-5 - For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off fromChrist for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. [4] They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. [5] To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen. Eph. 2.11-13 - 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. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. John 4.21-22 - Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.” It is clear: the salvation promise was given to Abraham and his descendants, and Gentiles are not of that lineage. Nevertheless, now, through faith in Jesus of Nazareth, Israel’s Messiah, even though we were once far away, without hope, and lost in the world as Gentiles we are brought near to God through the blood of Christ. Through him and him alone, we are no longer on the outside but are fellow heirs of the salvation to come with all those who believe, who now together, whether Jew or Gentile, are part of the one true Church of the living God (Gal. 3.28; Col. 3.11). And all this by the grace and mercy of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Not My People have become Children of the living God . Isn’t it great to belong?