The All-Inclusive Gospel:

By:  Dale Weckbacher

Ephesians 3:6

The Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and partners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

(CSB)

Caesarea by the Sea may not be on the top of the list of places to see when touring Israel.  (1)  Usually other sites like the Garden Tomb, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, and Temple mount have more appeal due to their Biblical significance.  However, in addition to its rich historical significance, Caesarea by the Sea also has a spiritual significance mentioned in Acts 10. 

While it is uncertain if other Gentiles had come to believe prior to Peter’s sharing of the Gospel with Cornelius and his family, the vision given to Peter lets us know that the Gospel is all-inclusive and not only meant for the Jews.  However, it does not mean that the Jews are no longer a “Chosen people” as some teach, only that they must accept Jesus as Messiah to experience salvation like everyone else.  (2)  Instead the vision of Peter coupled with what happened to Cornelius illustrate that the Gospel is for all that choose to believe (John 3:16).

As a continuation of the teaching on unity in the body of Christ in Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul speaks of his ministry to the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1-13).  Writing from prison, the Apostle Paul was concerned that false teaching would take over in the Church due to his absence.  Much of this concern stemmed from the teaching of some men from Judea, teaching that Gentile believers must adopt the Jewish traditions to find salvation (Acts 15:1-5).  This Pharisaical teaching stood in contrast to the teaching of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8 and had the potential to cause division and confusion for these new believers. 

While the edict from the Jerusalem Counsel (Acts 15:6-21) supplied clarification urging Gentile believers to abstain from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, anything strangled, and from blood, this false teaching continued to be problematic.  This false teaching continued, evidenced by Paul’s teaching in Galatians 2:1-5.  While the false teaching of Judaizers is not prevalent today, the enemy continues to spread false teaching, threatening to exclude some from the Gospel. 

While Jesus’ death and resurrection are not a blanket pardon for all humanity and conditional upon one making a public profession of faith (Romans 10:9-10), it is all-inclusive with no individual or group of individuals excluded from making such a profession.  (3)  Jesus said he was the only way to reconciliation with God (John 14:6), establishing the fact that He is the Lamb of God whose sacrifice on the Cross provides eternal salvation from sins (Hebrews 5:1-10).  The Jewish traditions are therefore not an end in themselves providing salvation but instead symbolic pointing to the Messiah who would once and for all provide a way to salvation and reconciliation with God. 

Like the edict issued in Acts 15:22-29, the edict for the church today is that Jesus provided the path to salvation for all through His death and resurrection, but that gift remains unclaimed if one does not accept it through a public profession of faith.  In addition, the sincerity of one’s profession of faith should have supporting evidence through good works (James 2:26) and a transformation in one’s thinking (Romans 12:2).  Jesus stands at the door knocking (Revelation 3:20) with no concern over the gender, race, or social status of the person on the other side of the door.  The question is, will you open the door and let Him in.  I encourage everyone reading this that has not previously done so to open that door by praying with me now,

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, was buried, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

I now encourage everyone reading this to continue the work of God in their lives through prayer and study of the Bible, allowing it to transform our lives and spur us on to good works of spreading the message of the Gospel and Love of Christ to others.  May God bless everyone reading this.

1. Tours, Inspiration Cruises &. Caesarea by the Sea. www.inspirationcruises.com. [Online] Inspiration Cruises & Tours. [Cited: September 29, 2018.] http://www.inspirationcruises.com/-/blog/2013/06/28/caesarea-by-the-sea/.

2. Jr., Clarence H. Wagner. The Error of Replacement Theology. www.idolphin.org. [Online] The Bridges for Peace. [Cited: September 29, 2018.] http://www.ldolphin.org/replacement/.

3. Hafley, Larry Ray. The God and Gospel of Exclusion. www.truthmagazene.com. [Online] Truth Magazine. [Cited: September 29, 2018.] http://www.truthmagazine.com/archives/volume35/GOT035214.html.