/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

>>815037

>starting RCIA

> Why did Jesus preach to the Jews only basically?… "for salvation is from the Jews (John 4:22), "The jew first, then to the gentile´ (Romans 1:6).

> Afaik, it was Paul that made Christianity open to the non jews…

it's understandable that you have this impression if you're only starting to work your way through God's recorded revelation of Himself found in Scripture – but it's great that you're currently in the Old Testament because as you further explore how God made a people 'set aside' for Himself, first calling Abraham out of his land and culture, and then his descendents the Israelites who became a nation, you will see that their laws (as given to them by God) were so superior to any of the religions and philosophies of man, and their land so blessed when they walked in God's way, that this was a sign to the pagan nations that Yahweh was the one to worship… and the national laws of Israel found in the Old Testament make provision for pagan people who wish to make the same contract with God, they too becoming part of God's people, the Jews

all that to say, it wasn't Paul who opened up the way for men to be reconciled with God, but rather God has always made a way for man to make peace with Him – both under the Former Contract of The Law, and under the New Contract of Grace through Christ

and this same Christ came to the Jews first, because that was the race set apart by God to give birth to the promised Saviour

> Kinda a follow up question, can someone explain the whole Jews are Gods chosen people

forgive me if i seem to be repeating myself, but the word 'chosen' is akin with saying 'set apart' - another word which has the connotation of 'set apart' is 'Holy'* - so when God sets aside a Holy/Chosen people unto Himself, it is not because the men deserved to be in God's favour, but because God had decided to take some of the weakest most despised folk so as all the better declare just how mighty God is, evidenced by how great He was able to make them

> Might be a stupid question, but I once heard a Atheist say this: There are millions of Gods out there, what makes your right?

the evidence

specifically the evidence that you are observing in Scripture of God revealing Himself to man over thousands of years, consistently demonstrating His character and power through directly intervening in the lives of men; first blessing and miraculously saving the Jews, and then from that people bringing forth the promised Rescuer; who as the prophecies of the OT proclaim, is that same God Himself become a man

> prayer

that's a pretty deep subject, and i've already given you quite the info-dump, so my advice would be to humbly say to God 'please help me to see what your revealed word says about the reason for prayer' and then having prayed that you would have your eyes opened, and your mind transformed by the renewal of it; you make note of any prayers you see in the Bible and see what the Bible says was the motivation for prayer

~

*as a side note, there is something wonderful in the fact that God reveals Himself to be 'Holy, Holy, Holy' - the implication being that He is Other, Other, Other in all His infinite majesty and attributes; completely foreign to man's darkened understanding unless man is given the light of God's revelation

>>815051

>>815052

>NAILED IT!

>>815053

Thank you for answers!

>and this same Christ came to the Jews first, because that was the race set apart by God to give birth to the promised Saviour

I feel dumb now, its so obvious . I blame lack of sleep