THE HOUSE OF GOD Part 5

CHURCH DEVELOPMENT

By: Bishop Marthy C. Austria, H.U.G. of Christ Fellowship PURE GRACE

How to be Part of the People [House] of God                                       

 I.            How about the Non-Israelites?

If the Israel of God, the people of God are made up only of the two houses, the House of Judah (Jews) and the House of Israel (Gentiles), how about those who are not members of those houses? Those “other Gentiles” (Romans 1:13; 1 Peter 2:12).

A.    God called and chose Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be the Fathers of God’s people – the 12 tribes of Israel.

1.      The 12 tribes later were divided into two kingdoms: (1) Northern: the House of Israel, consisting of the 10 tribes, which are the Tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Dan, Simeon, Levi, Issachar, Zebulon and Joseph [Manasseh & Ephraim] (2) Southern: the House of Judah, consisting of the 2 tribes, namely the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin.

2.      God restored both houses and made them into ONE HOUSE, ONE FLOCK, through the New Covenant of Christ. God made both covenants [the Old and the New] only with his people Israel and not with any nation on earth. That’s why the “Gentiles” now with the definition “non-Israelites” are strangers of the covenants. They are not under the covenants.

B.     Eternal Purpose for all peoples.

Does it mean that God has no plan for the “NON-ISRAELITES”? No, not like that. God has an eternal purpose for “ALL PEOPLES” of the world. But it is not the dispensational two-people, two-program theology.

1.      The two houses – are the literal natural seed of Israel. Out of the two houses [Judah and Israel] are the remnants chosen to be “The Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16), the “New Creature” (2 Corinthians 5: 17), the “One Fold [Flock]” (John 10:16).

2.      This “Israel of God” or “Flock of God” the combination of two houses [Jew and Israelite-Gentiles] became members of the “Church of God” (Acts 20:28), or “The House of God, which is The Church of The Living God” (1 Timothy 3:15).

3.      Those who are not Israelites can also be part of the “House of God”. Therefore a non-Israelite Gentile can be a member of the House of God, the Church without being a “spiritual Israel” or members of the flock.

C.     Distinctions in the Church of God:

1.      Remember, that the members of the House of Judah [Jews] are not members of the House of Israel [Israelite-Gentiles]. But all members of both houses are “Israelites”.

2.      There are still distinctions that exist between both houses despite the Union. For example, Britain’s people and U.S.A.’s people are English and whites but they are still different peoples. In the same way, Jews and Israelite-Gentiles who believe in the Lord comprise “the Israel of God” and are different from non-Israelite Gentiles who believe in the Lord.

3.      Non-Israelite Gentiles do not become members of the “Flock of God”, but they become members of the “Church of God”.

4.      The Flock of God or the Israel of God is just one-half of the Church of the Living God – the New Testament Church. The other half consists of the non-Israelite Gentile believers which the Bible calls “dogs” and not sheep (Matthew 15:26, 27).

5.      The Church of God consists of “Israelite believers” and “non-Israelite believers” [sheep and dogs]. 

D.    After their kind:

1.      When God created the animals or “living creatures” [which symbolize or represent men] he made them “after their kind” [species]. He made sheep. He made dogs. He made foxes. He made horses. He made lions. He made cats, etc. They are all animals but of different kinds. “And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:25).

2.      The same with man. God made all nations of men out “of one blood” to dwell on all the face of the earth (Acts 17:26). All the races of men came from “ONE BLOOD” which is “Adamic blood”. God then “divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam [man]” (Deuteronomy 32:8). 

3.      All nations are “ALL MEN [ADAMIC]” but “DIFFERENT RACES”. Whether we are Asians [Yellow, Brown - Japhetic], Europeans [White - Shemitic], or Africans [Black, Colored - Hamitic], we share of “ONE BLOOD”.  We all are “THE SONS OF ADAM” (Deuteronomy 32:8). And Adam was created by God “in his own image” (Genesis 1:27). God is not a racist.

II.            Why God separated ancient Israel from the Nations

But why did he separate “the children of Israel” from all peoples?  “The people [Israel] shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9).

A.    Israel was made “a peculiar treasure unto the Lord above all people” and “a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6), “a holy people unto the Lord”, that he has chosen to be “a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6).

B.     Israel is “THE CHOSEN” people of God (Isaiah 41:8,9; 43:10), the “seed of Abraham”. Israel [Jacob] came from Isaac, Abraham’s son of the promise. “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. that is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed” (Romans 9:6-8). And through Israel, “all families of the earth [will] be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

C.     Israel’s role therefore as a chosen race is not be boastful or to pride in their being children of Abraham because “God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” (Matthew 3:9).

III.            The Role of Israel

A.    To them [Israelites: 12 tribes] through Jews [Judahites: the Southern Kingdom of Israel] were committed “THE ORACLES OF GOD” (Romans 3:2).

B.     To them pertains “the ADOPTION, and the GLORY, and the COVENANTS [the two covenants, Galatians 4:24] , and the giving of the LAW, and the SERVICE of God, and the PROMISES; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh CHRIST came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” (Romans 9:4-5). What a privilege! 

C.     Their role is to be a “BLESSING” to the nations and all the families of the earth would be blessed through them (Genesis 12:2-3).

D.    In other words, they must be “A SERVANT PEOPLE”. Their role is to serve the nations.

IV.            How Israel would/will serve the nations of the world

A.    They must get out of the land and “MULTIPLY”

1.      As the stars of heaven and sand of the sea (Genesis 22:17) which cannot be numbered (Genesis 32:12) and

2.      Become a “MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE” (Genesis 28:3; 48:4) and a “MULTITUDE OF NATIONS” (Genesis 48:19).

B.     They must become “GENTILES” (Hosea 8:8). They must become “no more God’s people” (Hosea 1:9), just like any Gentile nation in the world. These are the descriptions of the Gentiles:

1.      “ALIENATED and ENEMIES” in their minds (Colossians 1;21),

2.      “GENTILES in the flesh”,

3.      “ALIENS from the commonwealth [citizenship] of Israel”,

4.      “STRANGERS from the covenants of promise”, therefore

5.      “Having NO HOPE and WITHOUT GOD in the world” (Ephesians 2;11-12).

C.     They must come to a situation where they cannot boast in their “lineage” and “heritage”. They must come to a “hopeless situation”. They must experience being in the darkness before they can be “a LIGHT of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6). 

D.    Then God would have “mercy upon her [Israel] that had not obtained mercy”; and will say to them “which were not his people”, “Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God”. (Hosea 2:23).

E.     Then they would be reconciled to God and

1.      Become the sons of the living God [which means they would be “BORN AGAIN” (John 3:3; 1 Peter 1:3) as a nation (Isaiah 66:8)]. 

2.      Be restored to their former status: “ye are a CHOSEN GENERATION, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, an HOLY NATION, a PECULIAR PEOPLE; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

3.      Be reconciled to God THROUGH CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:18). “Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:10).

V.            Reconciled to Serve the nations of the World

A.    They were “FAR OFF” but now are “MADE NIGH BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST” (Ephesians 2:13).

B.     They [the Israelites that became Gentiles] are now RECONCILED TO GOD with their fellow Israelites [Jews in the land of Palestine] in “ONE BODY”. (1 Corinthians 12:13). 

C.     They are “no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

D.    Now they can boast not because of their RACE but because of God’s GRACE.  They [the believing Israelites] were back and are SAVED by GRACE, not of themselves. Their salvation is THE GIFT OF GOD and not of works, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST.  (Ephesians 2:8,9).

E.     “He [Christ, Messiah] came unto his own [Jews: Israelites in the land of Palestine], and his own received him not. But as many [Jews in the land and Israelites in dispersion] as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:11,12).

F.      They were “BORN AGAIN”, NOW it is “not of blood [Abraham’s bloodline], nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man”, but “OF GOD”.(John 1:13). God is a Spirit (John 4:24) and they were “BORN OF the SPIRIT” (John 3:6). They were not only born OF THE FLESH as sons of Israel, but they were born OF THE SPIRIT as SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.

G.    They became “THE ISRAEL OF GOD” (Galatians 6:16), “the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).

H.    Because of that restored position through the grace of God, the Israelites can bless the nations. They had experienced being Gentiles away from God. They had become examples to the Gentile nations.

I.       The nations can also be “the people of God” and be “children of God” through his grace and mercy. He said: “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” (Romans 9:15).

J.       Then “the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy” (Romans 15:9).

VI.            Non-Israelite-gentiles have a pattern and example to follow: the Israelite-Gentiles

A.    We [Non-Israelite-Gentile people] can also become children of God like these Israelites.

B.     Because like them before, we are/were:

1.      Gentiles in the flesh (We are born as Gentiles and not as Israelites).

2.      Without Christ (We have no belief in the Christ of the Scriptures).

3.      Aliens from the commonwealth of Israel (We are not citizens of Israel. We don’t belong to any tribe of Israel. The difference between us and these Israelites that became Gentiles is that they before becoming Gentiles, they were citizens of Israel but we are not from the beginning).

4.      Strangers from the covenants of promise (God didn’t make the covenants with us. These Israelites that became Gentiles were not strangers from the covenants, but because of their disobedience they became strangers).

5.      No hope (No hope of eternal life, of resurrection, of forgiveness).

6.      Without God in the world (Atheists, or agnostics, or believing in false gods [idolatry]).

C.     “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

D.    Like these Israelites that became Gentiles but now restored as children of God,

1.      We can also be “MADE NIGH” to God through Christ’s SHED BLOOD and

2.      be NO MORE “STRANGERS and FOREIGNERS” but

3.      “FELLOW-CITIZENS” with the saints [Believing Israelites] and

4.      [members] of the “HOUSEHOLD [FAMILY] OF GOD” which is “THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD, THE PILLAR AND GROUND OF THE TRUTH” (1 Timothy 3:15), the assembly of those who are “sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints”, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:2).

E.     We are no more strangers and foreigners. Does it mean we are now the “Israel of God” or “spiritual Israelites”? Do we become now “sheep” of God?

VII.            The Flock of God

A.    All the Scriptures that talk about “the flock of God” and “the sheep of God” are about Israel [whether they are the House of Judah or the House of Israel].

B.     Take a look at some of the Scriptures about Israel as flock and sheep of God: “scattered sheep” (Jeremiah 50:17), “scattered…as sheep that have no Shepherd” (1 Kings 22:17; 2 Chronicles 18:16), “remnant of Israel…put together as the sheep” (Micah 2;12), “his own people…like sheep, and guided them…like a flock” (Psalm 78:52), God’s “people” and “sheep” of his pasture (Psalms 79:13; 100:3), God’s “flock” (Jeremiah 23:2,3),  “lost sheep of the house of Israel”  (Matthew 10:6; 15:24), Christ’s “sheep” (John 21:16,17), “one fold, and one shepherd” (John 10;16), “little flock” (Luke 12:32), “All the flock” (Acts 20;28),  “our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20), “sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop” of their souls (1 Peter 2:25), “the flock of God” (1 Peter 5:2).

C.     Gentiles who are not Israelites are not called “sheep” or “flock” even though they believe in the gospel.

D.    How about in Acts 20:28 where Paul said to the elders of the church of Ephesus: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood”?

1.      These elders of Ephesian church were Israelites or Gentile-Israelites. They as Israelites were part of the “Flock of God” or the “Sheep of God’s pasture”. They were given by the Holy Ghost the job of being “overseers” [bishops/ episkopos] over the “flock of God”. They were taking oversight of that one part of the “CHURCH OF GOD”. That one part was “The flock of God – Israelite believers”. The flock of God is just one part of the whole Church of God. The other part is the “non-Israelite” part but are believers of Christ.

2.      Those “non-Israelite” Gentiles are members of “the House of God” or “The Church of God” but they are not members of “the flock of God” or “the Israel of God”.

3.      It means all of us believers, whether we are Israelites, or non-Israelites are members of the “Church of God”, “the House of God”, but only Israelite believers are “the Israel of God” or “the flock of God”.

E.     Gentiles [non-Israelites] are no more strangers and foreigners but are fellow-citizens with the saints. It doesn’t mean that Gentiles [non-Israelites] are now citizens of Israel. Those saints [Israelites] are citizens not only of Israel but also of heaven: “For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).

F.      In Revelation 7 we can also see that:

1.      There were sealed 144,000 of all the tribes of the children of Israel (Revelation 7:4-8).

2.      And besides the 144,000 Israelites, there were “a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands” (Revelation 7:9). (These great multitudes were all nations including the many Israelites not counted with the 144,000.)

3.      All of these – Israelites or not were “believers of the Lord Jesus Christ” and fellow-members of the House of God and fellow-citizens. 

4.      But we can see that their ethnic, racial, natural, cultural differences were not taken away. Israelites were still Israelites. Gentiles who were non-Israelites were still Gentiles, but both were believers and were members of the ONE CHURCH OF GOD. 

G.    In the New heaven and the new earth, there are still differences between “the twelve tribes of Israel” and “the nations of them which are saved” (Revelation 21;12,24).

In Revelation 21, it says that: “I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:1-3).

1.      A new heaven and a new earth. (Heaven – not the literal, natural heaven. It is the temple of God, his throne, his dwelling place, his saints, his laws/ principles, his government. Earth – not the literal/natural earth. It is the land or the inhabitants of the land. The new heaven and earth are God’s new saints, new throne, new government, new laws, new temple [tabernacle/ dwelling place] and his new people).

2.      The first heaven and the first earth were passed away. (The first heaven and the first earth – the first or old temple and dwelling place of God, the old laws/ principles, old government, old people were passed away).

3.      There was no more sea. (If heaven represents the temple in Jerusalem –the center of the life of Israel and the earth represents God’s people Israel in the land [Jews], the sea represents the Gentiles [first the Israelites who became Gentiles but are restored; second, the non-Israelite Gentiles in the world]. It says, “there was no more sea”. It means there were no more Gentiles. Well, in the flesh there are still differences between Gentiles and Israelites, but here it is talking about spiritual things. And in Christ, there is no difference. Israelites and Gentiles who believe are both people of God and members of the Church. It is a new creation.)  “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is A NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:16,17).  God said:  “Behold, I make all things new…former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4,5).

4.      The New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride for her husband. (The New Jerusalem – not the old natural city of Jerusalem “which now is and is in bondage with her children” Galatians 4:25, which “spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” Revelation 11:8. This New heavenly Jerusalem, Hebrews 12:22, is THE BRIDE, THE LAMB’s WIFE, Revelation 21:9. Israel was the wife of God [Jehovah] but because of idolatry was given a bill of divorce, Jeremiah 3:8. Now in the New Covenant [Contract], God would again marry Israel, and now it is “the New Jerusalem” and the contract would be an “everlasting covenant”. )

5.      The tabernacle of God is with men. (The tabernacle of God is with men. God was manifest in the flesh. He dwelt [tabernacle] among us. 1 Timothy3:16; John 1:14.  Jesus Christ tabernacled among men.)

6.      God will dwell with men. (Jesus Christ is Emmanuel: God-with-us. And today he is present. That’s the parousia – his arrival, his presence. Jesus came back from heaven to be with us forever. He does not only dwell with us, he is within us: “Christ in you the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27. No need to wait for him. He is with and within us.)

7.      Men shall be God’s people. (Men, not only the Israelites but all men who believe in Christ can now be “God’s people”. Now, the honor and privilege to be God’s people is no more exclusive to the Israelites. The Church of God which consists of Israelites and non-Israelites is God’s “peculiar people”, Titus 2:14).

8.      God himself shall be with men. (God [Jehovah, the Holy Lord God Almighty] shall be with men – his creation – back to original – his Adamic people under the New Adam, Christ. Christ is with us).

9.      God [Jehovah] shall be their God.(Jehovah, in the New Heaven and Earth as “CHRIST IN ALL” and “GOD IN ALL” is the God of the peoples of the earth. Knowledge of God through the Holy Scriptures fills the earth).

VIII.            How the non-Israelite-Gentiles can become members of the House of God

A.    In the Old Testament, Gentiles or strangers can join the Israelites:

Isaiah 56:3,5-8 says “Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: …Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.”

B.     Things we can learn from those scriptures:

1.      A stranger [Gentile, someone who is not of the bloodline of Israel] can join himself to the Lord.

2.      If a stranger wants to be a servant of God and take hold of God’s covenant, he can and he is permitted.

3.      A stranger can also be gathered to the people of Israel.

4.      A stranger that joins himself to the Lord has these benefits:

a.       A place and a name in God’s house [Church of God] better than sons and daughters [Israelites]; an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. What a privilege!

b.      They will also be brought to God’s holy mountain – his holy government, holy law [the Heavenly Jerusalem, Rev. 21:2].

c.       They will be made joyful in God’s house [Church/Assembly of God] – the house of prayer; and God will accept their sacrifices (Rom. 15:16).  God answers their prayers and blesses them, the way he blesses Israelites.

C.     In Old Testament, good treatment must be given to strangers [Gentiles] that sojourn in Israel (Leviticus 19:34). Even in New Testament (Hebrews 13:2).

D.    If you are a stranger in the House of Israel [not an Israelite by blood], this verse is for you: Ephesians 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

IX.            The Ministry of Paul as The Apostle of the Gentiles

A.    Peter’s ministry. The Lord Jesus Christ called Peter and the other apostles to minister to all the 12 tribes of Israel (whether the Jews in the land or the lost sheep scattered in the nations).

B.     Paul’s ministry. Then the Lord Jesus Christ also after his ascension called and sent Paul as “THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES” (Romans 12:13).

Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,

 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

1.      According to our study, the word Gentiles means “nations”. Israelites became part of the Gentiles. These Gentiles are the Israelites who were alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and never returned to Palestine.

2.      So by definition, Paul was the apostle of these Gentiles (Scattered Israelites). Paul addressed them as Israelites and said these words:

a.      To the Romans: talking about true Jews and true Israelites.

Romans 2: 28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Romans 9: 6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.

 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

b.      To the Corinthians: talking about “OUR FATHERS”.

1 Corinthians 10:

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

 6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Talking about their being the temple of God.

2 Corinthians 6: 11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

 12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

 13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Hosea 1:23; Revelation 21:3)

 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

c.       To the Galatians: talking about their works of the law and Abraham’s seed.  

Galatians 3: 1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

 2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.

 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

 6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Galatians 3: 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 Talking about the Two Covenants (made only with Israel)

Galatians 4: 21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

 22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

 30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

Talking about circumcision and the Israel of God.

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

d.      To the Ephesians: talking about circumcision and uncircumcision and the commonwealth of Israel and the covenants.

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Talking about their reconciliation and unification with the Jews as ONE BODY.

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

e.       To the Philippians: talking about circumcision in the Spirit and the flesh.

Philippians 3: 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

f.        To the Colossians: talking about circumcision, baptism, ordinances, meat, drink, holyday, new moons and Sabbath days. (Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 10:16; Ezekiel 45:17)

Colossians 2: 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

 16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:

 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

g.      To the Thessalonians: talking about the temple of God  

2 Thessalonians 2: 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

h.      To the Hebrews: talking about God’s word through prophets and his Son “TO US”.

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

Talking about the High priest

Hebrews 3: 1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

 2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Remember: the Gentiles who are non-Israelites will never be interested in those things which concern only the Israelites whether they are Jews [House of Judah] or Gentiles [House of Israel].