quote:

ORIGINAL: p31woman

quote:

Does that mean that Gentiles had to join Israel or worship with Israel to receive salvation during the time from Moses to the Cross?

I believe that this is *still* the case, post-Cross as it were (G-d never changing nor being bound to time). G-d's promises-- of a Messiah, of a Kingdom, etc.-- were made to His chosen people, Israel. Yes, the promises were meant to eventually include all peoples, but only by means of those peoples being grafted into Israel. G-d, in His mercy, allows believing Gentiles-- people who "had no Messiah, [who] were estranged from the national life of Isra'el, [who] were foreigners to the covenants embodying God's promise, [who] were in this world without hope and without God" (Eph. 2:12)-- to share in the blessings and promises of Israel. (Eph. 2:13 "But now, you who were once far off have been brought near through the shedding of the Messiah's blood.")


Romans 11:16b And if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you - a wild olive - were grafted in among them and have become equal sharers in the rich root of the olive tree,
18 then don't boast as if you were better than the branches! However, if you do boast, remember that you are not supporting the root, the root is supporting you.
19 So you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."
20 True, but so what? They were broken off because of their lack of trust. However, you keep your place only because of your trust. So don't be arrogant; on the contrary, be terrified!
21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he certainly won't spare you!
22 So take a good look at God's kindness and his severity: on the one hand, severity toward those who fell off; but, on the other hand, God's kindness toward you - provided you maintain yourself in that kindness! Otherwise, you too will be cut off!
23 Moreover, the others, if they do not persist in their lack of trust, will be grafted in; because God is able to graft them back in.
24 For if you were cut out of what is by nature a wild olive tree and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted back into their own olive tree!

(Natural branches = Jews; wild olives = Gentiles)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DaveW

That is my take on it.

The church I grew up in was not so lenient. I remember hearing at least one sermon on how Abraham Moses, David et al were now burning in hell because they did not know the name "Jesus."

quote:

ORIGINAL: drfuss

In John, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that salvation is of the Jews implying that Samaritans cannot be saved. Does that mean that Gentiles had to join Israel or worship with Israel to receive salvation during the time from Moses to the Cross?