Apostle Paul asked the question, “what advantage hath the Jew?” This is his answer to this rhetorical question, “Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God” (Romans 3: 1,2). Again, “Who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, who are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ, according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever” (Romans 9: 4,5). If one were to go through the Scriptures and list all the advantages, and tell the story of those advantages, volumes could be written, and has been written, about all that God said and did for and through His chosen people, Israel.

Now, let us look at the Gentiles, in contrast to the chosen ones of Israel as recorded by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:11,12 when he said this: “Therefore remember, that you being in times past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called un-circumcision by that which is called circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenant of promises; having no hope, and without God in the world.

How could a more diverse picture be painted between the Jew and the Gentile if it were painted on a canvas? But the picture changes - the wall of partition between the Jew and the Gentile came tumbling down. [It was a great day when the Berlin wall, that separated the German people, east and west, came down, but this was nothing compared to this wall]. (Ephesians 2: 14) All the host of heaven must have lifted their hands in a holy shout of acclamation! This was the time when the mystery, kept secret from the prophets, was unveiled. (Colossians 1: 26, etc.) Truly, they (Jew and Gentile) are forever one in Christ Jesus! For it is written, “But now, in Christ Jesus, you who were afar off are made near by the blood of Christ; for He Himself is our peace; who has made both one (Jew and Gentile), and has broken down the middle wall of division between us, having abolished in His flesh the enmity; that is the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man, (Jew and Gentile), thus making peace”(Ephesians 2: 13-18). [See: Romans 9: 8]

The point I wish to make is this: If God’s elect, chosen by God for his own divine purpose, is now fulfilled in Christ Jesus; why then should I look for a future separate kingdom?

The Gentiles, as a people, were not a part of the elective purposes of God in past ages, but were strangers from the covenants of promise; without God and without hope. That is, until Christ came. Paul said, “Wherefore remember...” that is, (don’t ever forget you Gentiles), that you are now one with the Jew as the kingdom of God. So today, we who are Gentiles, are united with the Jew as one in Christ as the “called out ones,” the ekklesia, namely, the Church: God’s elect both now and forever. Jesus said, “no one (Jew or Gentile) can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6: 44).

God chose a family through whom He would bring to the world His divine message of redemption, and through the “Promise” given to Abraham, has brought it to fulfillment in Christ, and subsequently, Pentecost, God’s special gift to His children. (I’m not speaking of “tongues,” but about the gift of the Holy Spirit who has united both Jew and Gentile as one forever!

He had said to Israel, “you only have I chosen among all the families (Peoples) of the earth” (Amos 3: 2); However, that choice was not for salvation, but for the proclamation of the “Promise: (A kingdom of priest),” now fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Whereas, the Pentecostal message (by the Apostle Peter, quoting the prophet Joel), says to them and to us: “…and it shall be, THAT EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED; for the promise is unto you, and your children, and for as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself” (Acts 2: 21, 29).

What are the distinctive differences between the Jew and the Gentile?

In the old Covenant, everything; but in the New Covenant, nothing! For he has made “both one” in Christ Jesus. “But now in Christ Jesus, you that were afar off are made near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2: 13). We Gentiles are so blessed to be counted equal (and one with) God’s chosen people. Today, there is but one way to heaven for both Jew and Gentile, and that way is called, “the gospel of Jesus Christ.” “Today is the day of salvation,” (2 Corinthians 6: 2)

Conclusion: Some time ago I met a Jew. I thanked him for all that he and his people had given me and my people, “without which, I said, I would have no hope.” I went on to say something like this: “all of Christendom would have been in vain, lost in our sins; without hope, were it not for your Messiah.” He response was amazing. He said that he had never considered such a thing, and that he was going to read the New Testament. Will you join me in praying for Him?

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