In the first century the Church / assembly was a minority sect of Judaism characterized by combining the confession of Jesus as the Christ / promised redeemer seed of the woman, with continued observance of the Torah and adherence to Mosaic law such as Sabbath observance at synagogue, Jewish calendar, Jewish laws and customs, circumcision, and kosher diet under the authority of the existing Jewish rulers.
From Acts 5:
“all the church…were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch [of the temple]…And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women…There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem…they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught.
But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel…Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us…when they had called the apostles, and beaten them they commanded [as Jews, subject to Jewish religious authority] that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.“
Speedy Peter was the first apostle to understand the shift in leadership in the Israel of God under the world-wide Melchisedec YHVH’s Savior, as well as acting on between scripture in opposition to tradition of men.
“And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the [group demanding] circumcision [for inclusion in the ranks of Jesus’ disciples] contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat [associate as equals] with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them…the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning…Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” (Acts 11:1-18)
Jesus had given his apostles a heads-up on expecting this.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall…they shall speak with new tongues.” (Mark 16:15-18)
These miracles and wonders were the sign – an event predicted in advance as proof of God’s miraculous intervention, ergo presence – proving that the uncircumcised Gentiles could be indwelt with God’s presence and power like they were.
There were additional signs among the Gentiles – i.e. fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies – proving that YHVH’s savior had come not only to rule over Israel but to retake dominion over all the other peoples of the earth. Like prophecy in general, these are vague and can be argued to fit multiple interpretations. The Spirit of God who gave them is the only one who can accurately interpret them.
“I am the good shepherd, and know [am united with] my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:14-16)
This is – naturally – fulfillment of prophecy, not a last-minute change in plan.
“In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty,
- unto the residue of his people [Messianic Judaism],
- AND for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment [on what is right and wrong, i.e. seeks after righteousness],
- and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate [take sides with the God of Righteousness against the pagan forces of evil].” (Isaiah 28:5-16)
Can we not recognize the parallel between the uncircumcised Egyptians crowding into the homes of the children of Israel to eat the Passover at the Exodus, to whom God granted repentance unto life? Without question, there is lots of scriptural precedence allowing a multicultural body of believers to be saved from damnation.
- “Let ALL the nations be gathered together,
- AND let the people [of God] be assembled…
- Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD,
- AND my servant whom I have chosen:
- that…I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
- I even I, am the LORD / YHVH / I Am; and beside me there is no saviour…
- I will work, and who shall let /stop it?...” (Isaiah 43)
That doesn’t stop God from carrying out his plan for Israel.
“Son of man, when the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their own way and by their doings…Wherefore…I scattered them among the heathen, and they…profaned my holy name, when they said…These are the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.
But I had pity for mine holy name…And I will sanctify my great name…and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the LORD God, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land…And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it…I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock…so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they [the heathen, circling back to the beginning of this pronouncement] shall know [personally] that I am the LORD.” (Ezekiel 36:17)
