Moriah's Song
Well-Known Member
The "universal church of Christ" actually began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve tried to cover up their "sins" by sewing fig leaves together. But knew what they had done and therefore..."the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them." (Gen 3:21)your verses refer to the new covenant church founded by Christ on Peter and the apostles
Verse 21 implies that the shedding of blood already had to be the only acceptable method of forgiveness that was acceptable to Him.
Next, we read again the same principle as with Cain and Abel. "
Gen 4:2-5..."Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell."
In the above case with Cain and Abel we can see where now God wants the sacrifice of a human for atonement for their sins instead of an animal....A picture of the cross! We try to cover up our sins but we can't. Only through the blood of Christ can sins be forgiven. Cain's offerings were what we call "works" because Cain decided what to provide for his own sins instead of what God desired for atonement - Christ's human blood!
Then the story progresses to where God selects Abraham out of a Gentile nation (Ur of the Chaldees) and says to him...
And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them. "Then he said to him, "So shall your descendants be." (Gen 15:5)
If you think about it, God is already including Gentiles in the nation that He has yet to build up with the Jews. Why? Because it is impossible to number the stars in the heavens. Those stars represent both Jews and Gentiles in the "universal church of Christ." (Ephesians 2)
You will find words in the OT that indicate that Gentiles who wished to become believers in the one-and-only true God could join that Jewish congregation in the wilderness right up through and to the day Christ died on the cross.
It's that "Tree of Life" that was in the Garden of Eden never stopped growing that composed of both Jews and Gentiles and it will continue that way until the end of this age - The Last Day - Judgement Day!