Hopefully by this point in the series no one has a phobia of using the term Israel having understood what God desires the term to mean – sons of God.

However, there are many Christian phobias against being Jewish, like their was a Jewish way to God and we now have a Christian way to God. There has always been only one way to God and that through FAITH. This is why Abraham is called the father of the faithful.

By the end of this article you should realize that there is only one way to God for the Jew and for the Gentile and that there has always been only one way to God.

"Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, "but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood." Acts 15:19-20

Now to some people this seems to be a somewhat conclusive list and that this list varies from what the Jews were required to do. At first glance, on the surface that may seem correct. However, the argument was that they had to become circumcised to be saved and they gathering acknowledged that circumcision wasn’t required of God. God required baptism and the laying on of hands as the public ceremony for becoming a disciple. So what is this list about then.

Some say it is the complete standard for the Gentiles to live by. Odd considering it would mean dishonouring your parents is okay, being a false witness is okay, coveting is okay, and so is pride, ego and arrogance. Obviously this is a reflection of God’s law that is contained in nature, Scripture and in His Holy Spirit.

Lets look at another location that is list is used in Acts 21: 23-26 "Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow. "Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law. "But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality." Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them."

Let’s note several things:

1. There is no need for a Christian to go the temple.
2. The temple was not yet destroyed and if they visited the temple this was the requirement.
3. There is no requirement for Gentiles to do these temple practices either.

On the other hand, every pagan religion has temple practices. The ones in their day included, offerings to idols (Acts 19:24-27), sexual immorality (temple prostitutes), blood sacrifices and strangulation. While they had no need to follow Jewish traditions and temple customs they were also to stay away from the pagan ones they were called out of.

This one way to salvation and practice before God is demonstrated further in Ephesians.

Chapter 1:1-2:9 he describes the one way they were ALL saved in Christ Jesus.

In the past they were separated and could not be together unless they became Jews. In fact, the Gentiles and women were separated by various walls in the temple from Jews.

Now in Christ there is no temple ordinances of separation for in Christ we both come to God in the heavenly temple together.

And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Again our access is through God’s Spirit which he gives to those who repent (spirit of obeying) and are baptized and receive His Spirit.

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:10-22

Therefore we are all the same together. The same nation, same citizens and none of us are foreigners in Christ.

He continues with this one way for ALL throughout the letter.

Ephesians 4:1-6 I, "beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Only one way for ALL.

We are all a part of the New Covenant that God gave to Israel.

"This is the Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for the remission of sins." Matthew 26:28

The fault was obviously with the people, they transgressed the covenant and sinned. They are described as having their hearts far from Him. They kept their Sabbaths and offerings but with a heart of ripping off the poor, and the elderly – their neighbours. So he disregarded them and removed them from the land.

This old covenant had a membership covenant ritual – circumcision, a memorial service – Passover, a temple, sacrifices and a priesthood. Hebrews describes this as being about ready to fade away. The temple was shortly destroyed, along with the sacrifices and the priesthood. The writer telling us that we have a much greater Priesthood and Sacrifice that brings us to the Heavenly temple not the copy made with hands. The new covenant membership ritual is baptism and laying on of hands and a memorial service of the Lord’s Body and Blood that was historically partaken of on the 14^th of Nisan.

This new covenant was for ALL men who were drawn by the Testimony of Jesus.

"Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, Nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. He will not fail nor be discouraged, Till He has established justice in the earth; And the coastlands shall wait for His law." Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it: "I, the LORD, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles," Isaiah 42:1-6

Jesus is that Servant, the Elect One, the Covenant, it is a covenant in His blood and it is for the Gentiles, all of them, including the descendents of Jacob.

The New Covenant for Israel and for Judah is the One Covenant for everyone in Jesus’ Blood.