Yes, God turned to the Gentiles because Israel persistently rejected the message concerning Jesus and the promised kingdom.
Scripture and Les Feldick's teaching show that Israel was the first recipient of the gospel offer, but when they rejected it, God set them aside and extended His grace to the Gentiles. This was not an accident but part of God's preordained purpose. The offer to Israel was genuine, but God knew their rejection in advance, so He planned to turn to the Gentiles from the beginning.
Acts 13:46 — Paul declares that because Israel rejected the word, the gospel turns to the Gentiles.
In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul, speaking to Jewish leaders in Antioch, says: 'Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles' (Acts 13:46, KJV). This verse indicates that the offer of the gospel went first to Israel, but their rejection led to the gospel being directed to the Gentiles. Furthermore, the Old Testament had already revealed God's intention to use Israel as a light to the nations, as seen in Isaiah 42:6 (KJV): 'I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.' This missionary purpose was a consistent theme in God's dealings with Israel.
Les Feldick explains that God's turn to the Gentiles was a direct consequence of Israel's rejection of Jesus as their Messiah and King. Peter's Pentecost sermons were still directed to Israel, offering the promised kingdom if they repented (Acts 2 and 3). However, because Israel continued to reject, God did something new that was hidden in His plan from before time (Acts 3:20; 15). That new thing was the salvation of Gentiles without Israel as intermediaries, based solely on faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Les emphasizes that this was not an afterthought or a plan B. God knew Israel would reject, and He had always planned to extend salvation to the Gentiles and then provoke Israel to jealousy (Romans 11). The fall of Israel opened the windows of heaven for the Gentiles, a grace program so simple that it stunned the world.
Peter's sermons in Acts 2 and 3 were directed exclusively to the nation of Israel, not to Gentiles. The offer was that if Israel repented and believed Jesus was the Messiah, Christ would return and set up His Kingdom. This is evident in Acts 3:20 where Peter says, 'And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you.' The offer was valid and required complete repentance from every Jew, including water baptism (Acts 2:38).
Israel rejected Jesus as her King and Messiah, and ultimately crucified Him. Les points out that this rejection was a persistent pattern, not a one-time event. Israel had already failed in her role as the light to the Gentiles for 2,000 years, trampling the idea of salvation. Thus, when the Messiah came, they continued in that rejection, which led to God turning to the Gentiles.
God's turn to the Gentiles was not an accident but was kept secret in His mind from before time. Though it appears as a change, it was actually within His eternal purpose. Les says that God knew Israel would reject, so He planned to go to the Gentiles without them. This was a mystery not revealed until the New Testament, specifically through the apostle Paul.
No, God is not done with Israel. Les rejects the idea that God is finished with the Jew. The turning to the Gentiles was designed to provoke Israel to jealousy and, ultimately, to bring them back. Salvation has come to the Gentiles, but Israel will be restored. God's promises to Israel remain.
Peter's Audience
Peter's sermons were addressed exclusively to Israel, not Gentiles, showing the initial offer was to the nation.
Israel's Rejection
Because Israel rejected the message, God turned to the Gentiles with a salvation based on grace, not law, but He is not finished with Israel.
Every Jew Had to Repent
The kingdom offer required universal repentance from Israel, a condition God knew would not be met, so He planned to turn to the Gentiles.
Grace Program
Israel's fall opened the door for a gospel of grace to the Gentiles—free, without works, and contrary to human comprehension.
God's Foreknowledge
God knew the Gentiles would have trampled the offer, so He chose Israel first to prepare them to be a light, but Israel failed and God went to the Gentiles directly.
Hidden Mystery
God's turning to the Gentiles without Israel was a secret plan kept hidden in God's mind, distinct from the Old Testament promise that Israel would be the means.
Gentiles' Pagan Background
Israel's rejection opened the door for pagan Gentiles to receive salvation, who readily swarmed to the gospel message.
Provoking Israel
Salvation came to the Gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy, fulfilling God's purpose, and this program is working.
Acts 13:46: Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Paul's declaration to Jewish leaders that the gospel would now be preached to the Gentiles because of Israel's rejection.
Acts 3:20: And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
Peter's offer to Israel that Christ would return if they repented, showing the kingdom was still conditional upon their response.
Isaiah 42:6: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
God's original purpose for Israel to be a light to the Gentiles, which they failed to fulfill.
Romans 11:11: I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
Paul explains that Israel's fall brought salvation to the Gentiles and that this was to provoke Israel to jealousy.
Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter's call to Israel to repent and be baptized, a prerequisite for the kingdom offer.
God turned to the Gentiles because Israel rejected Jesus as their Messiah and King. Their rejection opened the door for the gospel to go to the Gentiles, as seen in Acts 13:46. This was part of God's plan from the beginning, not an accident.
No, it was never an afterthought. Les Feldick teaches that God knew Israel would reject, so He had planned to go to the Gentiles all along. It was a secret kept in the mind of God, not revealed until later.
No, God is not done with Israel. The turn to the Gentiles is meant to provoke Israel to jealousy and ultimately bring them back. God's promises to Israel still stand.
Because Israel rejected the offer of the kingdom, God brought salvation to the Gentiles through the gospel of grace, free for all who believe, without the need for the Law or temple worship (Romans 11:11).
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