In many of the images of Jesus, he appears to be a white European. He wasn’t white, though. He was also not a European. Jesus did not even visit Europe. or the United States. Jesus was born in the Middle East, in Israel. This indicates that, like many Arabs or Asians today, He most likely had light brown or olive complexion. He belonged to the Jewish people. All followers of God had to be Jews prior to the earthly advent of Jesus. either convert to Judaism—that is, alter their religion and culture in order to become a Jew—or be born Jewish.
Jesus came to save everyone
A few followers of Jesus believed that his mission was limited to rescuing Jews. Furthermore, other people were aware of the Jews’ dislike of non-Jews. Jesus, however, came to save everyone. When the Samaritan lady heard Jesus discussing spiritual subjects, she grew perplexed:
“How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” the Samaritan woman asked him. (Because Jews do not trade with Samaritans.) “If you had known the gift of God and who it is that is asking for a drink, you would have asked Him,” Jesus retorted to her. He would have also provided you with living water. (John 4:9–10)
The Samaritan woman believed that because Jesus was Jewish, He would turn away from her. However, Jesus wished to inform her of God’s good news. The good word of God will no longer be limited to one people or one nation after Jesus. Take heed of what Jesus says to the woman from Samaria:
“Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither you nor Jerusalem will worship the Father,” replied Jesus to her. You revere things you are ignorant of. Since the Jews are the source of salvation, we worship what we know. However, the time is now arrived for the sincere worshipers to offer forth an authentic, spirit-filled worship to the Father. Because the Father is looking for these individuals to adore Him. (John 4:1–23)
Gentiles do not require to hold to Jewish laws and culture
Some Gentiles (non-Jews) later believed in the gospel and received the Holy Spirit, indicating that God had accepted them after Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 10:44-48). However, other Jews objected, claiming that in order for the Gentiles to be saved, they needed to convert to Judaism (Acts 15:5). When the early church leaders got together to discuss this problem, they came to the conclusion that since God accepts non-Jewish Christians by bestowing upon them His Holy Spirit, then they also shouldn’t force them to adhere to Jewish law and culture:
“And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you. That by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us. And He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”” (Acts 15:7-11)
United in Christ
The Apostle Paul later attests to the fact that there is no longer a distinction between Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews). Because all racial and ethnic groups that believe in Christ are connected in Him:
“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called the circumcision. Which is made in the flesh by hands — remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise. Having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances. That He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two. Making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:11-18)
Every nation will worship the Lord
Additionally, [the last book of the Bible] describes how people will be worshiping God in heaven from all around the world:
Following this, I looked and saw an enormous throng that was impossible to count. Standing before the throne and the Lamb, dressed in white robes, holding palm branches in their hands, and yelling loudly, are people from every nation, tribe, people, and language. “The Lamb and our God who is seated on the throne are the rightful owners of salvation!” (Revelations 7:9–10)
God calls us to repent
Indeed, all individuals of all races are welcome to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul notably declared in Athens, God calls everyone, everywhere, to turn from their sins and put their faith in Him:
And He created every country on earth from a single man, establishing the limits of their home and the times during which they would each be allowed to exist. He commanded them to seek God, believing that they would eventually find and navigate their way to Him. But in reality, He is not distant from any of us. God disregarded the days of ignorance, but now He [orders everyone to repent] because He has set a day for the world to be judged in righteousness by a man He has appointed, and He has assured everyone of this by rising Him [Christ] from the dead. Based on Acts 17:26–27, 30-31.
