15. What did He say to the woman of Samaria as to the source of salvation?
“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.” John 4:22.
16. When the Jews rejected Paul's preaching of the gospel, what did he and Barnabas say?
“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” Acts 13:46.
Note.—From all this it is plain that had not the Jews as a nation rejected Christ, they would still have maintained the preeminence as the children of God, and as God's light-bearers to the world. But on account of this rejection, they were rejected as God's peculiar people, and others took their place, and now bear the name of Israel in common with those who were first called by that name.
17. Under what figure are the Gentile believers represented who have become a part of the true Israel of God?
“And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive-tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive-tree; boast not against the branches.” Rom. 11:17, 18.
18. Lest the Gentile grafts should boast, saying that the Jews were broken off to let them come in, what warning is given them?
“Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.” Verses 20, 21.
19. What encouragement is held out concerning the branches which have been broken off?