The Gentiles Even though the Middle East version of Christianity was not very welcoming of differing opinions, one of Paul’s missions was to include everyone in the church. He even says “Considering that I'm an apostle to the Gentiles, I publicize my own ministry in the hope that somehow I might make my own people jealous and save some of them” (Romans 11:13-14). His vision of unity between both the Gentiles and the Jews was strong in 1 Corinthians, but this theme keeps on recurring throughout Paul’s letters. It is important to look at who the Gentiles were as a people, where the division came between them and the church, and Paul’s plan of reconciliation between the two. The Gentiles are mentioned all throughout scripture, but it helps
…show more content…
Paul establishes all of his churches based in towns deemed to be Gentile and eventually converts them to Christianity. Paul writes "When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as the Spirit fell on us in the beginning”, referring to the Gentiles receiving God’s word just as anyone else in the Christian faith did (Acts 11:15). While this is a good thing--the Gentiles are saved--it also shows the division that has built up between the two groups. When he is faced with ridicule, Paul responds “is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t God the God of Gentiles also? Yes, God is the God of Gentiles” (Romans 3:29). This is a great example of how Paul determinedly set out to reconcile this …show more content…
If some of the branches were broken off, and you were a wild olive branch, and you were grafted in among the other branches and shared the root that produces the rich oil of the olive tree, then don’t brag like you’re better than the other branches. (Romans 11:16-18)
This metaphor is a perfect representation of Christianity. It reflects back to 1 Corinthians with the body of Christ: every part has to work together to bring an honorable representation of Christ (1 Cor 12:12). He even goes into detail about how all Christians should act, not just the Jews. The verse can be thought of as the church as the main tree of faith, and the olive branches are the Gentiles joining Christianity. It also advises the Jews not to boast of their faith, even if they perceive themselves as having the rich oil of God’s tree, as well as to accept the branches that are grafted on
Paul establishes all of his churches based in towns deemed to be Gentile and eventually converts them to Christianity. Paul writes "When I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as the Spirit fell on us in the beginning”, referring to the Gentiles receiving God’s word just as anyone else in the Christian faith did (Acts 11:15). While this is a good thing--the Gentiles are saved--it also shows the division that has built up between the two groups. When he is faced with ridicule, Paul responds “is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t God the God of Gentiles also? Yes, God is the God of Gentiles” (Romans 3:29). This is a great example of how Paul determinedly set out to reconcile this …show more content…
If some of the branches were broken off, and you were a wild olive branch, and you were grafted in among the other branches and shared the root that produces the rich oil of the olive tree, then don’t brag like you’re better than the other branches. (Romans 11:16-18)
This metaphor is a perfect representation of Christianity. It reflects back to 1 Corinthians with the body of Christ: every part has to work together to bring an honorable representation of Christ (1 Cor 12:12). He even goes into detail about how all Christians should act, not just the Jews. The verse can be thought of as the church as the main tree of faith, and the olive branches are the Gentiles joining Christianity. It also advises the Jews not to boast of their faith, even if they perceive themselves as having the rich oil of God’s tree, as well as to accept the branches that are grafted on