THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME
by Tuese Ahkiong
Those who regularly study the New Testament have probably come across this phrase, "The Gentiles who are called by My Name." Where does it come from could help us define who the gentiles are! Clue: Be Berean and search the entire Scriptures and one will find it in the OT because Acts is quoting it from Amos.
Scripture teaches that the scattered tribes of Israel or Diaspora were THE GENTILES we see in the NT. They were scattered among the gentile nations and became like them because of their sin of idolatry.
Check these 2 passages out:
Amos 9:9-12 “For surely I will command, AND WILL SIFT THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AMONG ALL NATIONS, As grain is sifted in a sieve; YET NOT THE SMALLEST GRAIN SHALL FALL TO THE GROUND.10 All the sinners of My people shall die by the sword,
Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’
11 “On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;
12 That they may possess the REMNANT OF EDOM, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,”
Says the Lord who does this thing.
Who say, ‘The calamity shall not overtake nor confront us.’
11 “On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old;
12 That they may possess the REMNANT OF EDOM, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,”
Says the Lord who does this thing.
Acts 15:14-17 Simon has declared HOW GOD AT THE FIRST VISITED THE GENTILES TO TAKE OUT OF THEM A PEOPLE FOR HIS NAME. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return
AND WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID, WHICH HAS FALLEN DOWN;
I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS,
AND I WILL SET IT UP;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,
Says the Lord who does all these things.’
16 ‘After this I will return
AND WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID, WHICH HAS FALLEN DOWN;
I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS,
AND I WILL SET IT UP;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,
Says the Lord who does all these things.’
**In Amos, YHWH proclaims He will sift the house of Israel among all nations to gather the grain or the remnant. v12 We see the remnant of Edom which is the Diaspora who are the GENTILES who are called by YHWH's name.
"Yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground" echoes:
Matthew 10:29 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Therefore don’t be afraid. YOU ARE OF MORE VALUE THAN MANY SPARROWS.
John 18:9 the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “OF THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE GIVEN ME, I HAVE LOST NONE.”
John 6:39 This is the will of my Father who sent me, THAT OF ALL HE HAS GIVEN TO ME I SHOULD LOSE NOTHING, but should raise him up at the last day.
John 10:27-28 MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, AND I KNOW THEM, AND THEY FOLLOW ME. 28 I GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO THEM. THEY WILL NEVER PERISH, AND NO ONE WILL SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY HAND.
Acts describes the same gentiles who are called by YHWH's Name being taken out to be His People being fulfilled 1st century.
The context of Acts 15:17 regarding "mankind" is The whole House of Israel, both northern and southern kingdoms.
