Israel was chosen by God.

But why?

They were chosen as the nation through whom God would both deal with the sin of the world, and redeem it. 

Throughout the Old Testament, Israel was often a rebellious nation against God. Yet Israel’s rebellion is no different than how any other nation would have behaved, because of sin. Israel’s relationship with God was established (among other things) to reveal the sin of humanity. Through Israel, God exposed the sins of humanity, for in Adam all (including Israel) sin, and need redemption.

Paul tells us in Romans that whatsoever things the Law says it says to them that are under the Law (a reference to Israel under Moses) so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God ~ Romans 3:19

Israel under the Law was representative of humanity under sin. Israel’s story was a microcosm of the whole world and in the same way that only a remnant of Israel was saved, so it is with the rest of humanity throughout history. The path to destruction is wide but the gate that leads to life is narrow and this applies to everyone, not the Jews only.

Through Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God has broken in on humanity, and all who repent and trust in him will be saved! The Gospel is not simply justification by faith, though it includes justification by faith. The Gospel is more, for it is the announcement and demonstration of the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, and it was this gospel which was preached to Israel first. The gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, along with Acts bring this to full light.

In his wisdom, God brought about the salvation of the world through Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, but in His faithfulness God saw to it that the gospel was first preached to the people of Israel and then to the gentiles.

Paul tells us in Romans that the gospel is their sound and their words for the Gospel was testified of by Moses in their Law, and by their prophets, by their sacrificial ceremonies, and their feast days. Throughout the Old Testament the Spirit of the Lord was giving witness to Christ and his Kingdom.

God gave to the people of Israel Moses, the prophets, the priesthood and sacrifices, John the Baptist, Jesus in the flesh, the Apostles, and now the salvation of the Gentiles. 

The Gospel is their testimony, their witness, their message, and if they reject the Gospel there is no other alternative. God does not have another narrative for Israel outside of or beyond the gospel.

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written (in their scriptures), How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, all day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. ~ Romans 10:11-21

In Acts 15 there were certain men from among the Jews who had come down from Judaea to Antioch and taught the Gentile brethren that if they were not circumcised after the manner of Moses they could not be saved. This did not sit well with Paul and Barnabas who vehemently disagreed with them. Therefore the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas along with some local believers to Jerusalem to discuss this issue with the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.

When they arrived in Jerusalem Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders. They reported everything God had done through them among the Gentiles. However, some from a certain sect of the Pharisees protested in opposition to the testimony of Paul and Barnabas, claiming that it was indeed needful to circumcise the Gentiles and command them to keep the Law of Moses. Therefore the apostles and elders decided to meet together to resolve this issue.

During the meeting, Peter stood up and testified saying the following:

Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. ~ Acts 15:7-11

Notice that Peter doesn’t say, they shall be saved even as we. Instead Peter says, we shall be saved even as they.

In the mind of the first century Jew, covenant relationship with God was dependent on Jewish membership, circumcision, and allegiance to the Law of Moses. However, God had done something so unexpectedly different and entirely new when he sent Peter to Cornelius’ house. He had called out a people from among the Gentiles for his name and he had done it apart from the Law.

In Acts 15:7-11 (cited above) Peter recounts his visit to Cornelius’ house (Acts 10). Peter along with the other Jews who accompanied him saw firsthand the salvation of Gentiles as Cornelius and his house were instantly filled with the Holy Spirit in similar fashion as the Jewish followers of Jesus had experienced in Acts 2. When Peter returned to Jerusalem he was confronted by the Jews for lodging at the home of Gentiles and eating with them.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. ~ Acts 11:2-3

Peter then rehearsed to the Jews his experience from the beginning (Acts 11:4- 18). Notice the following from Peter’s explanation to Jews in verses 15-18.

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. ~ Acts 11-15-18 

The evidence which convinced Peter and the Jewish believers at Jerusalem that the Gentiles had been accepted as the people of God, was the Holy Spirit. God had given to the Gentiles the same gift he had been given to the Jews at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit had now become the new identity of the people of God replacing the old identity of physical circumcision.

This is the experience which Peter is recalling in Acts 15.

After Peter gave his testimony, Barnabas and Paul testified of the miracles and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by their ministry. After Barnabas and Paul testified, James stood up and said the following:

Simeon (Peter) hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. ~ Acts 15:14-18

The apostle James makes appeal to a prophecy given by Amos concerning the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David, as the scriptural evidence that God would have a people apart from the Law of Moses.

The tabernacle of David can either be a reference to the tent that David pitched for the ark of the covenant after the ark was recovered, or a reference to the Kingdom under David’s descendant who is to reign forever, namely, the Messiah. The latter seems to be the most likely as this theme appears multiple times throughout the book of Acts.

In Acts 15:16 -17, the apostle James makes reference to this prophecy specifically and applies it to the Gentiles becoming the people of God apart from the Law. 

James goes on to say: Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.

It was therefore determined, based on the testimony of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas; along with James’ interpretation of the scriptures, that the Gentiles were not obligated to come under the yoke of the Law of Moses. Furthermore, it might be worth mentioning that it was the apostle James, and not Paul, who made the final decision to inform the Gentiles that they were under no obligation to be circumcised and to keep the Law of Moses. James says; “Wherefore my sentence is…” ~ Acts 15:19.

Afterwards we read, “then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church…” ~ Acts 15:22.

They then wrote a letter and sent it to the Gentile believers at Antioch.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than the necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. ~ Acts 15:24-29 

The council at Jerusalem (the apostles, the elders, and the church) came to the conclusion that if they required the Gentiles to keep the Law of Moses after God had established his name among the Gentiles, they would most certainly be in opposition to the work of God.The testimony of God had already been established by the gift of the Holy Ghost being given to the Gentiles, and the Jerusalem council decided to agree with God. Therefore they said, “it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us.” They were persuaded by the Holy Ghost and agreed! Once this letter was delivered to the Gentile believers at Antioch, and read, the Bible says: “they rejoiced.” ~ Acts 15:30-31

And I think we should too…