Questions and Answers
QUESTION:
I would like to know who the “other sheep” are which are not of this fold.”
John 10:16 (NASB) 16“I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. (Jesus’ Words in red)
ANSWER:
In John 10 the Messiah Jesus is talking to His disciples as believing Jewish men and tells them in verse:16 that there are other sheep He must bring with Him. These are the Gentiles who would accept Him and, with the believing Jewish people, become one flock.
The idea of salvation being offered to the Gentiles is already set forth in the Older Testament. We see this promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 and Paul’s application in Galatians 3:8.
Genesis 12:3 (NASB) 3And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Galatians 3:8 (NASB) 8The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU.”
We also see this in the Book of Isaiah:
Isaiah 9:2 (NASB) 2The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.
Isaiah 42:6 (NASB) 6 “I am the LORD, I have called you in righteousness, I will also hold you by the hand and watch over you, And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, As a light to the nations,
Isaiah 49:6 (NASB) 6 He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
The Book of Romans teaches us this:
Romans 15:9-13 (NASB) 9and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, “THEREFORE I WILL GIVE PRAISE TO YOU AMONG THE GENTILES, AND I WILL SING TO YOUR NAME.” 10Again he says, “REJOICE, O GENTILES, WITH HIS PEOPLE.” 11And again, “PRAISE THE LORD ALL YOU GENTILES, AND LET ALL THE PEOPLES PRAISE HIM.” 12Again Isaiah says, “THERE SHALL COME THE ROOT OF JESSE,AND HE WHO ARISES TO RULE OVER THE GENTILES, IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES HOPE.” 13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What was not revealed in the Older Testament was that Gentiles would come in on the same privileges as the Jewish people.
Ephesians 3:4- 6 (NASB) 4By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; 6to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,