SUMMARY
A list of key Old Testament terms, long used to describe the people of Israel, now applies to GentileA gentile is anyone who is not Jewish. The term, which is derived from words that the Bible uses to denote the "nations" of the world, reflects beliefs that God had designated Israel as a nation that would be distinct from others, and a blessing... converts to Christianity.
ANALYSIS
For Christians in non-Christian societies, facing hostility and rather unfamiliar with the two-thousand-year heritage from which Christianity emerged, this declaration must have been amazing. The passage applies ancient descriptive names to Gentiles. They now are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holyHoly is a term that originally meant set apart for the worship or service of God. While the term may refer to people, objects, time, or places, holiness in Judaism and Christianity primarily denotes the realm of the divine nation, God’s own people; they too have been called into the service of God to proclaim the mighty, saving acts of this one who called them. These same words still apply to us, for we too have received mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God's mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments..
