Bible Studies for Life By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Religion, Samford University
One Great Commitment
Romans 10:1–3, 8b–13
One of the most vexing questions faced by Jesus’ first followers was one which sounds quite odd to us today: Can Gentiles be Christians? Perhaps the question might make more sense if we rephrase it a bit: Can Gentiles become Christians as Gentiles?
As the gospel begins to spread in the Book of Acts, it initially does so solely among Jews. By the time we reach Acts 8, some Samaritans and an Ethiopian eunuch respond, but even these characters are considered to be already part of “Greater Judaism.” It is not until Acts 10 that we find the fascinating story of the first true Gentile to become a Christian. That Gentile was a man named Cornelius. Cornelius was apparently quite a man. In Acts 10:2, we read, “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” But if Cornelius (and many other Gentiles like Cornelius) was such a good man, why hadn’t he already converted to Judaism? One issue loomed larger than any other in this sort of situation: circumcision.
God had been quite explicit in instructing Abraham that any man who wanted to be part of His family had to be circumcised (Gen. 17:12–13; cf. Ex. 12:48). For an eight-day-old boy, this was not much of an issue. But for an adult male, this was another matter entirely. However much a Gentile man might have believed that the one God of Israel was the true God, however attractive he might have found the orderly and sober lifestyle of the Jews, going through circumcision was just a bridge too far for most.
If being saved hinged on getting circumcised, the practical reality was that very few Gentiles were ever going to get saved. Thankfully, as more and more Gentiles started embracing the message of Jesus, the early Jewish believers gathered in Jerusalem and came to the decision that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised after all (see Acts 15). While the Law had indeed ordered circumcision, the coming of Jesus had signaled a new era in which God was reaching out to the Gentiles, and this outreach was so important that a stipulation like circumcision could not stand in its way.
Christ is the only way to salvation. We cannot earn our salvation. (1–3)
It is just this background that the apostle Paul has in mind when he writes his letter to the Christians in Rome. Here he urges his fellow Jews not to think of a relationship with God as a kind of “membership” defined by specific markers like circumcision, keeping kosher and observing the Sabbath. Those are just the fruits that were to come from the more important step, placing one’s faith and trust in God.
We are saved when we confess and believe Jesus is Lord. (8b–10)
And how does one express this faith and trust in God? By responding to God’s Son. Paul reminds his readers that being saved does not depend on having the right membership markers. On the contrary, a person is saved by embracing Jesus as their risen Savior and Lord. God had already drawn near to humanity in the person of His Son. Now it falls to humanity to recognize that Son as Lord.
Salvation is available to all who
call on Jesus. (11–13)
For Gentiles, this should be especially welcome news. God has now signified His willingness to accept Gentiles as Gentiles. The difficult hurdle of circumcision is one Gentiles no longer need to clear. The Lord who is Lord of all, both Jew and Gentile, will accept and bless all, both Jew and Gentile, who call on Him.
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