Some people are extremely proud of their family heritage. Those in England who are part of the Royal Family possibly have a right to be proud, even those who have little chance of ever becoming King or Queen of England. My mother’s mother was predominantly French and she could trace her family tree back to the Clements who were prominent back in colonial days. My dear little wife was partly Jewish, but she was very modest and never mentioned her heritage.

The early church was at the beginning totally Jewish but soon spread to the non-Jewish world of that day. The question then arose, “Could those of other nationalities become Christians without first becoming Jews?” Peter, James, and other leaders were convinced that they must become Jews first. Then God revealed to Peter that they could be converted and filled with God’s Holy Spirit, without becoming Jews.

After Paul was called as missionary to the Gentile world, he took a very strong position on the subject. Following are several statements he made while writing under the Inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit.

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him” (Romans 10:12 KJV).

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:28,29 JKV).

“There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision, or uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all and in all” (Col. 3:9-13 KJV).

Abraham will be in heaven, not because he was the grandfather of Israel and great-grandfather of Judah, but because he claimed Eternal Life by faith;

“for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10 NKJB).

“So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:9-11).

“Cometh this blessedness upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised . . .” (Romans 4:9-11).

“Therefore it is ..of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16).

“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“For we do not have an high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15 NKJB).

The first chapter of Matthew traces the family of David back to Abraham. Many scholars believe that, this list of names pertain to Joseph, rather than Mary and that Jesus is heir to David’s throne because of Joseph, His foster father. Either way there were things about David that are not altogether complimentary.

1. David repented and was forgiven, but he actually committed a series of the most horrible sins recorded in the Bible.
2. David’s grandmother “Ruth” was a dedicated believer, but she was descended from Moab the illegitimate son of Lot and his own daughter. Because the Moabites became Israel’s enemies, none of them were eligible to enter into the “assembly of the Lord FOREVER” (Deuteronomy 23:3 NKJB).
3. Judah was largest of the 12 tribes of Israel. Northern Israel was conquered and no longer called Israel. Later, the people of Judah were conquered and were taken into captivity. They are now called Jews, because they came from the land of Judah. According to Matthew chapter one, one of our Lord’s ancestors was “Perez” the illegitimate son of Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamer.

Although Jesus had a human mother and could thus qualify as “The Son of Man,” He was totally sinless and “without spot” (Hebrews 9:14).

-- Uncle Ben’s Quotebook