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Theme: God has no favourites; Christ’s church is open to all who believe

Roots of Jewish Enmity Towards Gentiles
Alexander the Great (323 BC) brought the Persian Empire, which began with Cyrus in 550 BC, to an end. After his death, his kingdom was divided between his generals. They introduced the Greek language, religion and culture to the areas where they were in power.

In an effort to promote unity across his kingdom, Antiochus IV Epiphanes made some radical changes in the land of Judea around 167 BC. He prohibited sacrifices, sabbath keeping, circumcision and feasts. He also set up various altars to Greek deities, made it an offence to possess Scriptures and defiled the Second Temple by erecting an idol on the altar. There are also indications that he forced old covenant believers to eat unclean food (see 2 Maccabees 6). The result of his actions was a revolt and the establishment of a new independent ‘Maccabean Kingdom of Israel.’ Initially the political leaders were very keen to remove all Greek influence and promote old covenant religious purity. Over time however they became more accepting of Greek practices. In 63 BC their kingdom was conquered by the Romans.

The Romans generally allowed the Jews freedom in religion, as long as they paid their taxes. In 38AD however, the Emperor Caligula made an error of judgement when he sent the vassal king Herod Agrippa to Alexandria unannounced. The visit was met with jeers from the Greek population and the local Roman prefect responded by having statues of the Emperor placed in Jewish synagogues. The resulting riots turned the anger of the Emperor against the Jews and he ordered a statue of himself to be erected in the Temple of Jerusalem. He died in 41 AD at the hands of assassins before his order was carried out.

Jewish Tradition Concerning Gentile Converts
“By three things did Israel enter into the Covenant: by circumcision, and baptism and sacrifice. Circumcision was in Egypt, as it is written: ‘No uncircumcised person shall eat thereof’ (Exodus 12:48). Baptism was in the wilderness, just before the giving of the Law, as it is written: ‘Sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes’ (Exodus 19:10). And sacrifice, as it is said: ‘And he sent young men of the children of Israel which offered burnt offerings’ (Exodus 24:5)…When a gentile is willing to enter the covenant…He must be circumcised and be baptized and bring a sacrifice.” – Jewish Scholar Maimonides