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05-03-2024, 03:59 AM

From what I’ve seen in the scriptures, the Jewish people appear to have status akin to that of the firstborn child. While all the children of God from ever nation shall receive an inheritance, there is still something unique and distinct about how the Jews have been treated by the Lord throughout history, and the scriptures show that this has not changed.

Romans 1:14-17

14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Romans 2:5-11

5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

So the reward is given first to the Jews since they have come first, but in the same way a firstborn child is given the most responsibility and therefore more is expected, judgement will also come first upon the Jew and then the Gentile.

So while we should consider “no distinctions” in the sense that all should be treated with honor, love, and respect, there is still a distinction to recognize that plays a role here. This is why I agree with Charlie and Aaron thats we should not take “no distinctions” to the extremes that Witness Lee did. I also ditto and appreciate that it way pointed out that this also applies to the various churches which though they were all one in Christ surely contained many cultural and ethnic distinctions that did not jeopardize their oneness. And I don’t mean differences in the matter of crucial things like sexual immorality and idols. I mean norms and customs which invariably differ among God’s people in the different assemblies.

The Jewish believers and Gentile believers did NOT live their lives in the same way. There were differences in diet, dress, philosophy, etc., and many of these things really were ok s long as the Jews didn’t go around telling everyone that being Koser will save you and so long as the Romans didn’t go around telling everyone that the Jews were a lost cause because they still wanted to eat Kosher.

05-03-2024, 03:59 AM	#68
Some Guy Guest Posts: n/a	Re: The Law of Christ From what I’ve seen in the scriptures, the Jewish people appear to have status akin to that of the firstborn child. While all the children of God from ever nation shall receive an inheritance, there is still something unique and distinct about how the Jews have been treated by the Lord throughout history, and the scriptures show that this has not changed. Romans 1:14-17 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 2:5-11 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism. So the reward is given first to the Jews since they have come first, but in the same way a firstborn child is given the most responsibility and therefore more is expected, judgement will also come first upon the Jew and then the Gentile. So while we should consider “no distinctions” in the sense that all should be treated with honor, love, and respect, there is still a distinction to recognize that plays a role here. This is why I agree with Charlie and Aaron thats we should not take “no distinctions” to the extremes that Witness Lee did. I also ditto and appreciate that it way pointed out that this also applies to the various churches which though they were all one in Christ surely contained many cultural and ethnic distinctions that did not jeopardize their oneness. And I don’t mean differences in the matter of crucial things like sexual immorality and idols. I mean norms and customs which invariably differ among God’s people in the different assemblies. The Jewish believers and Gentile believers did NOT live their lives in the same way. There were differences in diet, dress, philosophy, etc., and many of these things really were ok s long as the Jews didn’t go around telling everyone that being Koser will save you and so long as the Romans didn’t go around telling everyone that the Jews were a lost cause because they still wanted to eat Kosher.