It is a common error to believe that Gentiles were accorded salvation from Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) onward.  It's simply not true.  Those men from other nations were Jews and so the message was to no one but the circumcised at that time.  It wasn't until seven or eight years later when Peter 'unlocked the Kingdom' to the Gentiles (Acts 10) (Peter had the keys to the Kingdom - Matt 16:19) that any one in the world knew that Gentiles could be saved also!  As further proof, the Church in Jerusalem was astonished by the news that a Gentile had been saved:

      Acts 10:

        [45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also                             was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

     Acts 11:

         [2] And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
         [3] Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.

Then Peter tells the whole story concerning the vision of the 'unclean' beasts and the Gentile Cornelius ..... and after that:

         [18] When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the                                                                   Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

 

This last verse should tell anyone reading it that there were NO Gentiles converted before this time.  As a matter of biblical fact,

it appears that the Church of the Circumcision (Jerusalem and it's outposts) were never lead to convert Gentiles. 

    Acts 11:

            [19] Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and                                          Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

    Gal.2:

            [7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me (Paul), as the gospel of the                                        circumcision was unto Peter;
            [8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
            [9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and                         Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

 

The salvation of Gentiles was the exclusive jurisdiction of Saul/Paul (Acts 9) and his handful of close followers.   

 

Why is this Important? 

    1.  Starting at Pentecost, for at least 7 or 8 years, the Church was all Jews and those Jews were under law and Temple worship. 

        All the teaching uttered by Jesus (during his earthly ministry) was to Jews under the law.

    2.  After Paul started his ministry, there was a 'gospel of the circumcision' and a 'gospel of the uncircumcision'. 

    3.  Paul made it plain that Gentiles were never under the law:

     

    Eph 2:         

            [11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the                     Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
            [12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of                         promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

    4.   Paul made it plain that Gentiles were saved through faith and even that was a gift from God.    

    5.   Paul railed against Gentile believers who were being lured by Jews under law & circumcision.

    Gal 3:

            [1] O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth ............

            [2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
            [3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

 

    Titus 1:

            [13] This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;
            [14] Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
 

Paul was the only apostle to the Gentiles !!!

If the teachings of Peter, James, and John were for the Gentiles, God would not have needed to call Saul/Paul.

Paul didn't get his doctrines from Peter, James, or John, or the Church in Jerusalem. He got them directly from the Ascended Lord Jesus. 

    Gal.1

                I conferred not with flesh and blood:

            [17] Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

 

Gentiles should get their doctrine from Paul's writings.

 

 

Phil 2