Do we need a Gentile Bible?

Theology
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The Gentile Bible?

The way we are viewing the Holy Bible may be the reason we have trouble understanding it.

Are the Gospels starting us on the wrong path?

Who is the intended audience of the Gospels, and why do they have so many reference from the Old Testament?

The Gospels appear to be written to attract Jews to become followers of Jesus, remember, they were/are the Chosen People. not to attract gentiles At one point Jesus had sent the apostles out to preach to Jews only. The Jews were not responding to Jesus very well, but the result of this action did not show any improvement.

Why should we be concerned with the Gentiles?

We are the gentiles of the New Testament. We have no use for the Mosaic Covenant as it was not an option to us. Jesus selected Saul to teach and preach to the gentiles. What are the instructions from Paul?

“… Preach Christ and Him crucified …” Read 1 Corinthians 1
The Mosaic Covenant has been fulfilled and is now obsolete.
“In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing
away.” Hebrews 8

*The less gentiles know of the Old Testament, the better off they will be.

*SM, can’t remember address, but will add them next week. (SM = Senior Moment, I’m 89)

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This is an interesting thought. While I still think the Mosaic Covenant and the Old Testament has much to teach us (Jew or Gentile) as it relates to the whole story God is writing, I do think it’s easy as a Gentile to fall into reading the Bible as if I’m a Jew. Sometimes I have to remind myself like you said that I am among the Gentiles the NT talks about! I am among those “grafted” in to God’s family (Rom. 11:11-24). That’s definitely a thought that produces gratitude.

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“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” - Galatians 3:28

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The Bible’s fine just the way it is, because the new fulfills the old, @josephperryg4. The principles, not the outward forms, of the Old Testament laws still apply to our lives today:

Mat 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
Mat 5:22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
Mat 5:23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
Mat 5:24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Mat 5:27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
Mat 5:28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

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Some try to present a monolithic view of Christianity that includes the gospels and Old Testament.This can cause trouble trying to resolve things like “endure to the end” (for Jews) and “complete in Christ” (for gentiles and Jews outside of Israel.

It can help to differentiate what is said to whom and why. For example, Peter and the Apostles had the national kingdom gospel of Israel while Paul had the grace gospel of gentiles.

Gal 2:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

This differentiation means that as gentiles, we do not have to try to move mountains.While Peter, James, and John wrote to a faithful remnant of Jews waiting for the rest of Israel to receive the promised earthly kingdom, gentiles are already translated into the heavenly kingdom.

If one is interested in a gentile bible, one can read the letters of Paul and learn about the gospel of grace.

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When studying for the Ministry, the OT was my favorite subject, but that was because of its presentation.

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No. First, the entire Bible is about Jesus. Yes, that includes the Old Testament.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.: John 5:39-40

As TheologyNerd pointed out.

Once we are adopted into the family of God, we are then all children of God.

“and if children, then heirs–heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:17

Therefore, there is no difference. Yes, Peter was called to fish for the Jews. He was called to bring the Gospels to the Jewish people. Paul, on the other hand, was called to the Gentiles.

“On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.” Galatians 2:7-9

Most, if not all, of Paul’s letters were written to Gentile Churches. Or ones that started as Gentile.

No, we need the Bible as a whole.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." 2 Timothy 3:16

This is why it is so important to you to read it for yourself and lay a solid foundation in your life, so that you will not fall for the lies and be misled from the truth.

God bless

Peter

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While it’s true that Jesus initially instructed His disciples to go to the “lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6), the full picture of the Gospel unfolds with His resurrection and the Great Commission, where He commands them to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). The Old Testament isn’t obsolete for Gentiles. It lays the groundwork for understanding who Christ is and why His sacrifice matters. Paul himself often reasoned from the Scriptures, which at that time were the Hebrew Scriptures.

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Hitler thought we needed a “Gentile Bible.” So, too, did Marcion. His “canon” consisted of Luke’s Gospel and Paul’s letters, both heavily edited. In his view, the Bible we have was the revelation of two different gods:

  • The nasty, mean, materialistic and judgmental YVYH of the OT and the Jews, and
  • The sweet, gracious, and ‘spiritual’ Jesus of the NT and the Gentiles.

(whenever someone pits God’s righteousness against His grace, I hear echoes of Marcion)