17
Israel, presupposes Paul's glorious teaching concerning the
reconciliation of the world in its dispensational aspect (Rom.
11:15), even as the gospel he preached (2 Cor. 5:21) necessitated
the reconcilication of the world, in its doctrinal aspect (2 Cor.
5:19,20).
For our present purpose Romans 15:8-12 provides an
abundant confirmation of the fact that the inclusion of the
Gentile was no new thing. Further evidence can be gathered
from the remaining epistles of the period, but enough, we trust,
has been brought forward to establish the fact that the inclusion
of the Gentile, both in the gospel and in the Abrahamic promise,
demands for its confirmation `none other things than those
which the prophets and Moses did say should come'.
No. 4
The Hope of the Church of the Acts
still the Hope of Israel.
The conclusions that we have so far reached with regard to the
gospel, and the inclusion of the Gentile during the Acts, do not
make a very great demand upon the believer whose position is
what we may call `orthodox'. There are, however, other subjects
so close to the heart of the redeemed that anyone suggesting that
present traditional views with regard to them are unscriptural,
must be prepared not only to meet strong opposition, but also to
endure a good deal of misunderstanding and possibly abuse.
Among these sensitive themes is that of the Hope of the Church.
Many a believer who would be prepared to endorse all that has
been put forward in the three opening studies, would