Cornelius: The First Gentile Convert

1. Israel or “The Church”?

2. A study by John Krneta (latest version of November 2015) Contact information for questions or comments: jkrneta@hotmail.com

3. Please Note: Scripture text taken from the New King James Version Some text has been underlined or highlighted for emphasis. Some comments have been added (in bold print and in brackets) for clarification and teaching purposes. The word Church has sometimes been replaced with Assembly in order to give a more accurate sense of the Greek word Ekklesia.

4. Cornelius – The First Gentile Convert Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18 Cornelius was: • A “God Fearer” (Acts 10:2, 22) • Devout • A giver of alms to the Jewish people • A person who prayed to God always • Had a good reputation among all the nation of the Jews • Had an angelic visitation • Fasted for 4 days until Peter came to him

5. Peter, his companions and all the apostles were shocked ! Acts 10:44-45 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. Acts 11:1, 18 Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God…. When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life."

6. Please note: - Peter’s experience with Cornelius occurred about 10 years after the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. All those years Peter and all the disciples considered it unthinkable that a Gentile could be saved. Therefore they did not preach to Gentiles before Cornelius! • Please keep this in mind as you read the following scriptures!

7. Jesus came to save His people Israel Matthew 1:21 – (to Joseph) “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus (“Yeshua”), for He will save His people from their sins.” Psalm 130:8 And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Luke 1:46, 54-55 And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord,… He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever."

8. Luke 1:67-80 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying: "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: To grant us that we, Being delivered from the hand of our enemies, Might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace." So the child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his manifestation to Israel.

9. John 1:31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.“ For what purpose was He to be revealed ?

10. Restoring the Kingdom of Israel Luke 1:30-33 - (to Mary) And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end." John 1:49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"

11. John 12:12-13 The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' The King of Israel!” Luke 24:21 – (the 2 disciples on the road to Emmaus) “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.”

12. Matthew 19:27-28 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

13. Israel is “The Elect” Mark 13:19-20 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

14. The Great Tribulation will be Israel’s Time of Trouble Jeremiah 30:4-7 Now these are the words that the LORD spoke concerning Israel and Judah. “For thus says the LORD:‘We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask now, and see, whether a man is ever in labor with child? So why do I see every man with his hands on his loins like a woman in labor, and all faces turned pale? Alas! For that day is great,So that none is like it; and it isthe time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.

15. Matthew 24:29-31 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

16. Where and to whom did Jesus Preach ? Luke 4:13-16 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all. So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. Luke 4:31 Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths.

17. Luke 4:42-44 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee. Luke 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, Luke 10:1,13,15 (shows that He was about to go to Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum – cities of the Jews)

18. Luke 13:22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. Luke 17:11 Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. Luke 19:1, 28, 47-48; 20:1 Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him. Now it happened on one of those days, as He taught the people in the temple and preached the gospel, that the chief priests and the scribes, together with the elders, confronted Him

19. Did Jesus Preach to the Gentiles? Matthew 15:21-28 Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed." But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us." But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!" But He answered and said, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs." And she said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their Lord’s table." Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. This is typical of the other accounts – the answer: No ! See also: Mark 7:24-30; Luke 7:1-10 and Luke 17:11-19

20. The Samaritans – a special case Jeremiah 7:15 And I will cast you out of My sight, as I have cast out all your brethren—the whole posterity of Ephraim. - There were no Israelites left for the Samaritans to mix with. 2 Kings 17:22-34, 41 shows that the Samaritans are gentile peoples who blended the fear of the Lord with the worship of their gods. v.27 – one single priest of Jeroboam’s religion taught them - There is no record of him having any offspring with them. v.34 – “To this day they continue practicing the former rituals; they do not fear the Lord, nor do they follow their (Israel’s) statutes or their (Israel’s) ordinances, or the law and commandment which the Lord had commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel,” John 4:22 – (Jesus to the Samaritan woman at the well) “You (Samaritans) worship what you do not know; we (Jews) know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.” Luke 9:51-56 – The Samaritans later refused a second visit from Jesus because He was going to go to Jerusalem and they did not like that!

21. The Disciples sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel Matthew 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jeremiah 50:6a, 17 – “My people have been lost sheep… Israel is like scattered sheep; The lions have driven him away. First the king of Assyria devoured him; Now at last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones.” Ezekiel 34:11 For thus says the Lord God: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

22. The 12 and the 70 sent out to only Israelite towns Luke 9:1-6 – Jesus sent His 12 disciples “to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick”… “through the towns”. - These were not gentile towns as we see below. Luke 10:1, 9 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. And heal the sick there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' v.13-15 show that these were Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, all Israelite towns. v. 16 – “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me."

23. The Great Commission – to all the peoples ? Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Mark 16:15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Who are these “creatures” in “all the nations” ?

24. “Nations” = “Ethnos” (Strong’s Gk. #1484) 1) a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together a) a company, troop, swarm 2) a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus a) the human family 3) a tribe, nation, people group 4) in the OT, foreign nations not worshipping the true God, pagans, Gentiles 5) Paul uses the term for Gentile Christians

25. The Disciples understood “nations” to mean only their own people group – the Israelites Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. Acts 1:6-8 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "the Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

26. Luke 24:46-47 Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Messiah to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. - Remember, they understood this as to the tribes of Israel only! Acts 10 and the context of Acts 1 to 9 prove that. Mark 16:19-20 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. - “Everywhere” to Israelites only

27. Who are the Greeks and the Hellenists ? John 7:32-35 The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. Then Jesus said to them, "I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come." Then the Jews said among themselves, "Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? Matthew 23:15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

28. In John 7:35 the English word “Dispersion” is “Diaspora” in Greek(Strong’s Greek # 1290) Strong’s definition of “Diaspora”: “Israelites resident in Gentile countries” • Though there are historical instances of Pharisees proselytizing Gentiles towards Judaism, this was a relatively a rare occurrence. This verse is rather speaking of Pharisees considering that Jesus might go to dispersed Israelites among the Gentiles and preach to those Israelites. Those Israelites are in turn referred to as “Greeks” by the Pharisees. • Here we see an instance where Hellenized Israelites are called “Greeks” in the Bible. They are dispersed Israelites who live among the Greeks and are called “Greeks” by other Jews.

29. John 12:20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. John 11:47-54 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation." And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death. Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.

30. Please note what Caiaphas prophesied by the Holy Spirit: • That Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation (Judah) only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad (the dispersed Israelites of all 12 tribes). • This shows that the purpose of Jesus`s death was to gather together all the dispersed tribes of Israel with Judah in one.

31. Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. “Hellenist” = “Hellenistes” (Strong’s Gk. # 1675) 1) a Hellenist a) one who imitates the manners and customs or the worship of the Greeks, and use the Greek tongue b) used in the NT of Jews born in foreign lands and speaking Greek

32. Acts 2 – The Key to your Identity! (understanding who you are not) Acts 2:1-21 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from everynation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "Whatever could this mean?" Others mocking said, "They are full of new wine."

33. Please note: • Just like today, anyone who followed the religion of Judaism at that time was referred to as a Jew, even though he may have been a proselyte from one of the other tribes of Israel (there are 12 other tribes of Israel besides Judah), or a non-Israelite who has converted to Judaism. (see Galatians 1:14 as a reference to Judaism) • Most of the areas mentioned that these people came from are areas that the 10 tribe Northern Kingdom of Israel was dispersed to after their deportation by the Assyrian Empire. (see the well-researched works of Steven Collins, Yair Davidy, Raymond Capt, and others)

34. The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah

35. Peter’s address to: the House of Judahin Jerusalem & Judea Acts 2:14-21 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.'

36. Peter’s address to: The House of Israel in their dispersion Acts 2:22-35 "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him: 'I foresaw the Lord always before my face, For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption…

37. …You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.' "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Messiah to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: 'the Lord said to my the Lord, "Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool." '

38. Peter concludes with a message to both Houses Acts 2:36-41 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call." And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation." Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

39. Acts 2 is a Two-Houses of Israel Message! The rest of the chapter describes events that happen after that day. Did we see the word “Church” anywhere at all ? There is absolutely no basis at all for the belief that this event is the “birth of the Church”.

40. Dealing with objections: Objection #1 “But, we see the word “Church” in verse 47 and throughout the Bible!” “So, it must mean what my pastors at my church tell me it means!”

41. “Church” is a substitution, andnot a translationof “Ekklesia” (Strong’s Gk. # 1577) 1) a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly a) an assembly of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating b) the assembly of the Israelites c) any gathering or throng of men assembled by chance, tumultuously d) in a Christian sense 1) an assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting 2) a company of Christian, or of those who, hoping for eternal salvation through Jesus Christ, observe their own religious rites, hold their own religious meetings, and manage their own affairs, according to regulations prescribed for the body for order's sake 3) those who anywhere, in a city, village, constitute such a company and are united into one body 4) the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth 5) the assembly of faithful Christians already dead and received into heaven

42. ekklesiais a conjunction ofek + kaleo ἐκ (Strong’s Gk. # 1537) “ek” 1) out of, from, by, away from καλέω (Strong’s Gk. # 2564) “kaleo” 1) to call a) to call aloud, utter in a loud voice b) to invite 2) to call i.e. to name, by name a) to give a name to 1) to receive the name of, receive as a name 2) to give some name to one, call his name b) to be called i.e. to bear a name or title (among men) c) to salute one by name

43. Who was called out from somewhere? Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, And out of Egypt I called My son.” In the Septuagint, which is the Greek translation of the Tanakh (commonly referred to as the Old Testament), the word ekklesia is employed 96 times to denote the congregation convoked by the Lord, the Children of Israel. (1 Chronicles 28:8; Psalms 22:22; Isaiah 41:8-9 etc.). In the Tanakh, ekklesia always refers to Israel.

44. Objection #2 – Wasn’t the Church build on Peter ? Matthew 16:18-19 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.“ Peter = “Petros” - Strong’s Gk. # 4074 “a rock or a stone” this rock = “Petra” – Strong’s Gk. # 4073 “a large rock or stone” Jesus will build His called out ones (Israel) upon Himself, the large rock, and not on Peter, the rock or stone.

45. Who will Jesus build up ? Psalm 102:16 For the Lord shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. 2 Chron. 9:8 “Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the Lord your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.” Ezekiel 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.

46. A problem - Tell it to the “church” ? Matthew 18:15-17 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. How could they tell it to something that supposedly did not exist yet because it was not born yet? The truth of the matter: Israel is the ekklesia and the people had elders that one could go to.

47. Didn’t Jesus purchase “the Church” with His own blood? Acts 20:28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Psalm 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! Psalm 74:2 Remember Your congregation, which You have purchased of old, The tribe of Your inheritance, which You have redeemed— This Mount Zion where You have dwelt.

48. Inconsistent “Translating” Why was ekklesia not substituted as “Church” in Acts 19:29-32, 39, 35-41? • Because it refers to an assembly of angry pagans who are in an uproar and in confusion! Why was ekklesia not substituted as “Church” in Acts 7:38? “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, the one who received the living oracles to give to us,” - Because this verse speaks of the assembly of Israel!

49. Who are “the saints” ? Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, Psalm 148:14 And He has exalted the horn of His people, The praise of all His saints— Of the children of Israel, A people near to Him. Praise the Lord!

50. Who are the people mentioned below ? 1 Pet. 2:9-14 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, Deut. 7:6 “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.” Exodus 19:5-6 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth mine: 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."