Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

Both gentiles and jews who have heard the gospel preached. The "one hope" is everlasting glory with Christ as the children of God, so this applies to the entire body of Christ. The theme throughout Eph 4:3-7 is unity, and that the whole body of Christ follows the same Lord.

Israel (the nation) was called by God out from among the nations to follow God, and it was chosen to be set apart from the other nations and Holy. In the same way the church (both jews and gentiles) is called out from the world to be a priesthood set apart, with Christ as our high priest. Individually, we are called to faith in the Lord by hearing the gospel (the farmer sowing seed) and God appointing us to bear fruit.

1 Cor 7:17-24 gets into more detail:

"Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them."

October 02 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report