Jews, Gentiles, and Unbelievers

The early church was divided right from the beginning as to whether new Christians had to be circumcised---first become Jewish---to be Christian.  St. Peter and St. Paul led the debates as the Christian church sought to resolve the controversy.  The church came into existence on the Day of Pentecost, when 3000 were baptized, people from all over the known world.  Most were Jews, in Jerusalem for the celebration---but the same Holy Spirit quickly began to be "poured out" on "devout" Gentiles. 

It fell to Peter and to Paul to reconcile the believers with one another---the Jews still adhered to their customs, but the Gentiles did not (understandably). 

In the letter to the Romans, Paul wrote this:

Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.  [Today, we might substitute the word "Baptism" for "circumcision."]  If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?  The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

In the Book of Acts, Paul also says that God has given the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him.  It seems to me that we can apply the same principles to the current controversy about non-Christians.  Those 'unbaptized" persons who obey the laws of God show themselves to be "baptized" by the Spirit of God.  The grace of God is a great mystery, not to be apprehended by the minds of natural mankind.  I think we can trust that the plans and purposes of God are greater than any we can imagine.

In the meantime, as Paul goes on to point out in Romans, there is great advantage in being a Jew, for "they have been entrusted with the very words of God" (3:2).  And they have the law, a guide to righteousness, integrity, and truth.  There is great advantage to being a Jew; there is great advantage to being a Christian---but only if we are "inwardly" Jewish and Christian.  Those who are not formally circumcised/ baptised may yet condemn those who are.