The Gospel Given to the Gentiles in Acts and Romans

The New Testament books of Acts and Romans extensively detail the spread of the Gospel to the Gentiles, a pivotal development in early Christianity. This expansion was understood by early Christian writers as the fulfillment of ancient prophecies and a central aspect of God's redemptive plan ^{[1, 16]}.

The term "Gospel" refers to the "good message" or "good news" concerning the person and mission of Christ, which was the central theme of early Christian preaching ^{[6, 7]}. This message, foretold in the Old Testament, exhibits God's grace and is presented as the power of God for salvation ^[7].

The Biblical Foundation for Gentile Inclusion

The inclusion of Gentiles into God's salvific plan is rooted in Old Testament promises. The Geneva Bible's translation of Galatians 3:8 states that "the Scripture foreseeing, that God would iustifie the Gentiles through faith, preached before the Gospel vnto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed" ^[1]. This verse highlights an understanding that the blessing promised to Abraham was always intended to extend beyond a single ethnic group to encompass "all the Gentiles" ^{[1, 11]}. John Chrysostom, an early church father, noted that prophetic conceptions of the Messiah's work contemplated salvation for the Gentiles, demonstrating that Christ's mission was not exclusively for one people ^[16].

The Book of Acts: Documenting the Expansion

The book of Acts, traditionally attributed to Luke, serves as a historical account of the early Christian church, detailing the fulfillment of the promise of the Father through the descent of the Holy Spirit and its subsequent impact ^{[5, 8]}. While it contains accounts of several apostles, it primarily focuses on Peter and Paul ^[8].

Initially, the preaching of the Gospel was largely directed towards Jewish communities ^[17]. However, a significant turning point occurred with the conversion of Cornelius, a Gentile, as recorded in Acts 10. This event was a "great surprise" to both believing and unbelieving Jews, marking the "bringing of light to us who sat in darkness," as Matthew Henry observed ^[12]. The intelligence of Cornelius's conversion quickly reached the church in Jerusalem, prompting discussion and inquiry ^[12].

The expansion to the Gentiles gained further momentum through the ministry of Paul. In Acts 13, the work of spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles is described as being "revived" after a period where it seemed to have withdrawn ^[17]. Paul explicitly states his commission as "a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:16) ^[2]. This priestly language underscores the sacred nature of his mission to bring Gentiles into the fold of God's people.

Towards the end of Acts, Paul declares, "Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!" (Acts 28:28) ^[3]. John Gill interprets "the salvation of God" in this context as the Gospel itself, which declares the salvation God planned and accomplished through Christ ^[13]. This statement, made in Rome, signifies the definitive shift in the Gospel's trajectory.

The Epistle to the Romans: Theological Articulation

Paul's Epistle to the Romans, likely written from Corinth and delivered by Phoebe of Cenchrea ^[4], provides a profound theological exposition on the inclusion of Gentiles. Paul addresses a church composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers ^[10]. He emphasizes that the mystery of Gentile inclusion, though hinted at in prophetic scriptures, was not fully revealed until the New Testament era ^{[11, 15]}. Adam Clarke notes that while prophets declared the calling of the Gentiles in general terms, the specific detail that they would be admitted without the Mosaic law was kept secret until Paul's preaching ^[15].

Paul identifies himself as "the apostle of the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13), a role he was ordained to fulfill ^[10]. He explains that the Gospel's spread to the Gentiles was, in part, a consequence of the differing responses to the Gospel message among Jewish communities. While some Jewish individuals embraced the Gospel, others did not, leading to its wider dissemination among non-Jewish peoples ^[14]. This dynamic, according to Paul, served a divine purpose, allowing the Gentiles to receive the Gospel ^[14].

The epistle clarifies that the promise made to Abraham extended to the Gentiles and was to be fulfilled through Christ ^[11]. Paul's argument in Romans, as well as in Galatians, demonstrates that Gentiles are "fellow heirs" with Jewish believers through Christ ^[11]. This inclusion is not merely an afterthought but a central component of God's plan, making the Gentiles acceptable through sanctification by the Holy Spirit ^[2].

The "glory of the Gospel" is presented as exceeding that of the law, bringing life and immortality to light through Jesus ^{[9, 7]}. This glorious Gospel, ordained for saints, is a work of the Holy Spirit, leading to eternal glory inherited by believers ^[9]. The message of salvation, therefore, is not confined by ethnic or legalistic boundaries but is universally offered through faith in Christ.

Sources

Galatians “Galatians 3:8 (Geneva1599) — For the Scripture foreseeing, that God would iustifie the Gentiles through faith, preached before the Gospel vnto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed.”
Romans “that I should be a servant of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, serving as a priest the Good News of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. -- Romans 15:16”
Acts “Acts 28:28 (LEB) — Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!””
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Romans, Epistle to the — This epistle was probably written at Corinth. Phoebe (Rom. 16:1) of Cenchrea conveyed it to Rome, and Gaius of Corinth entertained the apostle at the time of his writing it (16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14), and Erastus was chamberlain of the city, i.e., of Corinth (2 Tim. 4:20). The precise time at which it was written is not mentioned in the epistle, but it was obviously written when the apostle was about to "go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints", i.e., at the close of his second visit to Greece, during the winter preceding his last visit to th”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Acts Of The Apostles — the fifth book in the New testament and the second treatise by the author of the third Gospel, traditionally known as Luke. The book commences with an inscription to one Theophilus, who was probably a man of birth and station. The readers were evidently intended to be the members of the Christian Church, whether Jews or Gentiles; for its contents are such as are of the utmost consequence to the whole Church. They are the fulfillment of the promise of the Father by the descent of the Holy Spirit, and the results of that outpouring by the dispersi”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Acts of the Apostles — The title now given to the fifth and last of the historical books of the New Testament. The author styles it a "treatise" (1:1). It was early called "The Acts," "The Gospel of the Holy Ghost," and "The Gospel of the Resurrection." It contains properly no account of any of the apostles except Peter and Paul. John is noticed only three times; and all that is recorded of James, the son of Zebedee, is his execution by Herod. It is properly therefore not the history of the "Acts of the Apostles," a title which was given to the book at a later date, ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory — God is, to his people -- Ps 3:3; Zec 2:5. Christ is, to his people -- Isa 60:1; Lu 2:32. The gospel ordained to be, to saints -- 1Co 2:7. Of the gospel, exceeds that of the law -- 2Co 3:9,10. The joy of saints is full of -- 1Pe 1:8. Spiritual Is given by God. -- Ps 84:11. Is given by Christ. -- Joh 17:22. Christ. -- Joh 17:22. Is the work of the Holy Spirit. -- 2Co 3:18. Eternal Procured by the death of Christ. -- Heb 2:10. Accompanies salvation by Christ. -- 2Ti 2:10. Inherited by saints. -- 1Sa 2:8; Ps 73:24; Pr 3:35; Col 3:4; 1Pe 5:10. Saints called to. --”
Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles,.... The church at Rome, as the primitive churches for the most part did, consisted of Jews and Gentiles; hence the apostle sometimes addresses the one, as in Rom 2:17, and sometimes the other, as here; and this he does to observe unto them the grace and goodness of God, in enriching them with the Gospel of salvation; and that they might not despise the Jews, from whom it first came out, and through whose fall it came to them, and was preached among them by some of that nation: in as much as I am the apostle of the Gentiles. He was ordai”
Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 3:6: That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs - This is the substance of that mystery which had been hidden from all ages, and which was now made known to the New Testament apostles and prophets, and more particularly to St. Paul. His promise in Christ - That the promise made to Abraham extended to the Gentiles, the apostle has largely proved in his Epistle to the Romans; and that it was to be fulfilled to them by and through Christ, he proves there also; and particularly in his Epistle to the Galatians, see Gal 3:14. And that these blessings were to be announced in th”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 11:1: The preaching of the gospel to Cornelius was a thing which we poor sinners of the Gentiles have reason to reflect upon with a great deal of joy and thankfulness; for it was the bringing of light to us who sat in darkness. Now it being so great a surprize to the believing as well as the unbelieving Jews, it is worth while to enquire how it was received, and what comments were made upon it. And here we find, I. Intelligence was presently brought of it to the church in Jerusalem, and thereabouts; for Cesarea was not so far from Jerusalem but that they might presently h”
Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 28:28: Be it known therefore unto you,.... Unbelievers and despisers, take this along with you at parting, and do not say you were never acquainted with it: that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles; meaning the Gospel, which is a publication and declaration of that salvation, which God contrived from all eternity; made provision for, and secured in the covenant of grace; which he appointed, called, and sent Christ to effect, in the fulness of time; and which he has accomplished, by his obedience, sufferings, and death; even a full, complete, spiritual, and eterna”
Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 11:28: As concerning the Gospel,.... Whereas it might be objected to the call and conversion of the Jews, their implacable enmity to the Gospel, the apostle replies, by granting, that with respect to that, they were enemies to God and Christ, to the Gospel, and the ministers of it, and particularly to the apostle: for your sakes; the Gentiles, to whom it was preached, and by whom it was received, and which greatly irritated and provoked the Jews; or the sense is, that they were suffered to reject the Gospel, and treat it with hatred and virulence, that by this means it ”
Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 16:26: But now is made manifest - Now, under the New Testament dispensation, and by my preaching. By the scriptures of the prophets - Hints relative to this important work being scattered up and down through all their works, but no clear revelation that the Gentiles, who should be admitted into the Church, should be admitted without passing under the yoke of the Mosaic law. This was the point which was kept secret: as to the calling of the Gentiles, this was declared in general terms by the prophets, and the apostle quotes and makes a most important use of their predictio”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: member that is broken off. Then he adds testimonies, in which he shows that the man of the Jews ought to blend himself with those of the Gentiles; and so he says, “As it is written, For this cause I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, O Lord, and will sing unto Thy Name.” 1633 1633 The quotations in the passage on which this homily is based are all taken from the LXX. with a few trifling verbal changes. They are designed to show that the prophetic conception of the Messiah’s work contemplated salvation for the Gentiles, so that Christ was not to”
Acts (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Acts 13 (introduction): We have not yet met with any things concerning the spreading of the gospel to the Gentiles which bears any proportion to the largeness of that commission, "Go, and disciple all nations." The door was opened in the baptizing of Cornelius and his friends; but since then we had the gospel preached to the Jews only, Act 11:19. It should seem as if the light which began to shine upon the Gentile world had withdrawn itself. But here in this chapter that work, that great good work, is revived in the midst of the years; and though the Jews shall still have the ”

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