Before the Apostle Paul, how many Gentiles had access to salvation?
From Genesis chapter 12 until the Apostle Paul, practically no Gentiles had access to salvation. A few exceptions existed, such as Nineveh, Ruth the Moabitess, and Rahab. Paul later explains in Ephesians that Gentile believers in times past were Gentiles in the flesh, called uncircumcision by the circumcision made by hands.
Les explains that all the way from Genesis chapter 12 until the time of the Apostle Paul, practically no Gentiles had access to salvation. He notes there were exceptions, including Nineveh, Ruth the Moabitess, and Rahab. He then turns to Ephesians chapter 2, verses 11 through 13, where Paul writes to Gentile believers at Ephesus. Paul reminds them that in times past they were Gentiles in the flesh, called uncircumcision by the circumcision in the flesh made by hand.