J e s u s : The Only Way to God
Why There Was No Full-Blown Mission to the Nations before the Incarnation In other words, there is a profound theological reason why salvation did not spread to the nations before the incarnation of the Son of God. The reason is that it would not have been clear that the nations were gathering for the glory of Christ. God means for his Son to be the center of worship as the nations receive the word of reconciliation. For this reason also we will see further on that the preaching of Christ is the means appointed by God for the ingathering of the nations. Consider a very complex sentence from the book of Romans. If we patiently examine its parts and notice how they relate to each other (hence the detailed verse numbering), the crucial meaning for our question will appear. 25,1Now
to him who is able to strengthen you "''according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, 2Scaccording to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26lbut has now been disclosed 26band through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations 26caccording to the command of the eternal God, 26dto bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Romans 1 6 : 2 5 - 2 7
These verses are a doxology. Paul begins, "Now to him who is able to strengthen you ..." But he gets so 66