The confirmation that Gentile inclusion is not an anomaly nor something to be feared serves to build our trust.
Our Lord wants us to welcome those who come to faith in Jesus Christ. Whatever their ethnicity and background, when we see evidence of God’s grace, when there is submission to Christ and a desire to serve him, we rejoice and we say welcome.
Practically, this means that we do not need to be tempted to adapt doctrine in order to win people. We do not need to dumb down the faith or change it to match modern scruples. If someone belongs to Jesus Christ, they will submit to Jesus Christ and they will join us in seeking to ensure that his Word rules in his church. This reality of course does not negate the need for instruction. Part of the reason why it is wise to have catechism or membership classes is to make sure that our unity is grounded on apostolic truth. A common and historic understanding of what God’s Word teaches regarding who he is and what he has done for us in Christ. The good news that we can enjoy God’s favour through faith in Jesus Christ, because he has died the death which we deserve for our sin and lived the perfect life which God demands of those made in his image. If we are not clear and united on the Gospel, then we will drift towards a social humanitarianism which offends no one, or a legalism where we are constantly made to feel guilty.
Unity in God’s truth is thus important for his church, and we can confidently continue with classes and preaching because we know that those who belong to Christ will be eager to learn and make a Biblical confession. We are not chasing anyone away when we call on God’s people to make a public profession of faith. This duty reminds us, of course, that Scripture must guide what we think and believe. If we are the church of Christ we must listen to Christ and we must always be ready to change our confession when errors are revealed. We should also limit ourselves to that which is of the essence and not matters where Scripture is unclear. This is why historic confessions are so important—they summarize what the church has historically understood to be essential.
In essence, we must not be scared that doctrine will chase people away. Those who belong to Christ will listen to Christ and be eager to learn more.
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.