We Gentiles are merely collateral beneficiaries. (Eph 2:11-19)
What ineffable twaddle.
Ephesians 2:11-19
King James Version (KJV)
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;
Paul points out the Circumcision (those under Law) and the Uncircumcision, Gentiles.
Now I ask you, Zuno...were Gentiles made Jews?
The answer is no, despite modern mythological teaching that Christians are "Spiritual Israel," and "Spiritual Jews." That is no more true than the belief we a re "the sons of Abraham. Christ did not come to make sons of Abraham, He came to make sons of God.
Now answer the question, are we Gentiles made Jews when we are immersed into God in eternal union?
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:
Next question: did the Jews, prior to Christ's death, burial, Resurrection, return to Heaven, and His sending of the Promised Spirit...have Christ?
The answer is no. They had the hope of Christ only. That is what Paul means here.
The Gentiles did not have Christ because they were not a part of the Commonwealth of Israel, to whom specific Prophecy concerning Christ was given.
God made Himself known through Israel, who was to be a witness Nation, but the fact remains...they failed miserably. That is why the New Covenant was promised.
Now, pay close attention to what Paul states, and you will see there is no concept of "Gentiles are merely collateral beneficiaries."
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;
Did God start making Gentiles Jews?
Again, the answer is no, He began making both believing Jew and Gentile one man. A new man at that. That man does not exist in the Old Testament.
He says it again:
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;
Understand? Both Jew and Gentile are saved through Christ, and both are made the new man.
Nothing collateral about that.
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
"That He might reconcile..." who?
Both.
And into one body, which is the Body of Christ, the Church, which began...at Pentecost, when the Promised Spirit came.
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Afar off...Gentiles. Nigh...Jews. Both in need of reconciliation. Both in need of Eternal Redemption.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Again...both.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
The "Saints" refer to the Just of the Old Testament, not Israel. Read Hebrews 11, you will find a lot of people who died in faith...who were not of Israel.
And this is what I mean by you glorifying Jews instead of Jesus Christ. In your efforts to do this you present heretical concepts that have nothing to do with Biblical Christianity. Which is why I told you to concentrate on Biblical Christianity, not Classical Christianity.
Gentiles are not saved collaterally, all men are saved through the very Redemptive Plan God intended to save men from all families of the earth which was known to Him before the world was even created.
All nations, Zuno:
Romans 16:24-26
King James Version (KJV)
24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Continued...