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We do need to be careful regarding accepted doctrines. The need to "Study" the scriptures for ourselves is most recommended. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2nd Timothy 2:15).

For instance in Acts: 8-28 we have on record the matter of the "eunuch" that Phillip baptized. A native of Ethiopia. i am sure he would qualify as being "gentile" and more likely a black man, being Ethiopian.

Acts 10;1 mentions a centurion named Cornelius who was clearly of Italian/Roman nationality. We are not told specifically if he was in-fact the first "gentile" convert to Christ but we are told that the Lord used him in a most powerful way regarding Simon Peter. Cornelius was already a "convert" as was "all his house" including his servants and at least one devout (Roman) soldier in his household (v7) prior to his being visited by the Lords messenger in this vision.

The impact of this account is not on Cornelius being the "first convert to Christ" but rather the Lords dealings with Simon Peter and Simon being visited by a gentile on a mission from God would have made some impact on him.

We may never know for sure who was, in-fact, the first Gentile "Christian" but the reprobate on the cross that was put to death with our Christ and the soldier that helped put our Lord to death both confessed to the majesty of the son of God. The soldier, on the one hand, is on record as follows. Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man. (Luke: 23;47) and on the other hand, the thief likewise acknowledged who the Lord was.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.(Luke:23;42)

The book of Romans tells us: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.(Rom: 10; 9-11)

Admittedly the thief would never see with his own eyes the "risen" Lord yet he would be with our Lord after his own demise. They had both come to believe in their hearts, this thief and this soldier, and they both confessed with their mouths who this man with his crown of thorns really was.

We who are of this age are also likewise, awaiting our Lords return. We also know with certainty, that the reprobate on that hill at Calvary was ushered into paradise with our Lord and Savior.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke: 23;43)

Rakau

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The first Gentile convert to Christianity was the Roman centurion Cornelius in Caesarea, who was told in a vision to send for the apostle Peter:

Act 10:1-5 LITV But a certain man,Cornelius by name, was in Caesarea, a centurion of a cohort being called Italian, [v. 2] one devout and fearing God, with all his house, both doing many alms to the people and praying continually to God. [v. 3] About the ninth hour of the day, hesaw plainly in a vision an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, Cornelius! [v. 4] And he was staring at him, and becoming terrified he said, What is it, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and your alms went up for a memorial before God. [v. 5] And now send men to Joppa and call for Simon who is surnamed Peter.

Cornelius did this; Peter also had a vision:-

Act 10:9-16 LITV And on the morrow, these passing along on the road, and drawing near to the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray about the sixth hour. [v. 10] And he became hungry and wished to taste food. But as they were preparing, an ecstasy fell on him. [v. 11] And he saw the heaven being opened and a certain vessel like a great sheet coming down on him, being bound by four corners, and let down onto the earth; [v. 12] in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the birds of the heaven. [v. 13] And a voice came to him, Rise up, Peter, slay and eat. [v. 14] But Peter said, Not at all, Lord, because I never did eat anything common or unclean. [v. 15] And again a voice came to him a second time, What things God made clean, you do not make common. [v. 16] And this happened three times, and the vessel was taken up into the heaven again.

It was repeated twice and Peter didn't know what it meant:-

Act 10:19-20, 22 And as Peter pondered concerning the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are seeking you.

Act 10:20 But rising up, go down and go with them, not discriminating, because I have sent them.

Act 10:22 And they said, Cornelius, a centurion, a just man and one fearing God, and being testified to by all the nation of the Jews, was divinely warned by a holy angel to call you to his house and to hear words from you.

It was considered not right for Jew and Gentile to mix and they were to be separate: but after Christ's death and resurrection God changed this:-

Act 10:28, 34-35 And [Peter] said to them, You know howunlawful it is for a man, a Jew, to unite with or to come near to one of another race.Yet God showed to me not to call a man common or unclean.

Act 10:34-35 LITV And opening his mouth, Peter said, Truly I see that God is not a respecter of faces, [v. 35] but in every nation the one fearing Him and working righteousness is acceptable to Him.

The Holy Spirit had been previously been given to Jews only, but it was now available to Gentiles as well:-

Act 10:44-48 LITV As Peter was yet speakingthese words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the Word [ie both Jews and Gentiles]. [v. 45] And the faithful of the circumcision [ie the Jews] were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the nations [ie Gentiles] also. [v. 46] For they heard them speaking in languages and magnifying God. Then Peter answered, [v. 47] Can anyone forbid the water that these not be baptized, who the Holy Spirit received, even as we also? [v. 48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to remain some days.

Word soon got around about this:-

Act 11:1 KJV And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God.

The Jews in Judea objected to this but when they heard Peter's explanation they welcomed it:-

Act 11:15-18 NET Then as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as he did on us at the beginning. [v. 16] And I remembered the word of the Lord, as he used to say, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' [v. 17] Therefore if God gave them the same gift as he also gave us after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder God?" [v. 18] When they heard this, they ceased their objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted the repentance that leads to life even to the Gentiles."

The Jews knew God was to be obeyed regardless:-

Act 5:29 But answering Peter and the apostles said, It isright to obey God rather than man.

Act 5:34-35 LITV But one standing up in the sanhedrin, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law ... [v. 35] ... said to them, Men, Israelites, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do on these men.

Act 5:38-39 LITV And now I say to you, draw away from these men and permit them; because if this counsel is of men, or this work, it will be destroyed. [v. 39] Butif it is from God, you will not be able to destroy it, lest even you will be found fighters against God.

It's the same with us today: Christianity is open to all who accept it from all nations.

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11y ago
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9y ago

Gentile is first referenced in Genesis as descendants of Japheth. This would make him the first Gentile. It is also noted in the Book of Acts of the Apostles that Cornelius the Centurion is the first Gentile converted to Christianity.

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Adam.

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6y ago

No, it is the other way around. The first gentile who became Jewish was Ruth. She went home with Naomi to Bethlehem from Moab and converted. She said to her "where thou goes, I go and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."

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9y ago

Many point to Simon Peter from this account in Luke:

Luke 5:8-11New King James Version (NKJV)

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." 11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

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6y ago

A Jewish person can be non-religious or even join another religion, but they can never become a gentile. A Jewish person never stops being Jewish, just like an Italian person can never stop being Italian.

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13y ago

Cornelius, a centurion of the Italian Regiment, was the

first gentile convert to Christianity (Acts 10).

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11y ago
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11y ago

Cornelius

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13y ago

Cornelius

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12y ago

Paul

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Q: Who was the first gentile convert?
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