Jew and Gentile; no Difference
A Sermon on Romans 10:11-13
Originally preached Feb. 14, 1964
Scripture
11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord …
Sermon Description
People love to make distinctions between themselves and others, between their tribe and other tribes. Fallen hearts tend to make these distinctions so as to elevate themselves above others, especially in religious matters. The apostle Paul has tirelessly labored in Romans to emphasize that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile –– all sin falls short of the glory of God. If one does not follow the apostle here, they will construct different ways of salvation that appeal to the flesh. One may think being moral, good or kind is the way of salvation. But God’s way of salvation has always been the same — those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. There is no distinction between Jew or Gentile in any sense, whether in sin or salvation. In this sermon on Romans 10:11–13 titled “Jew or Gentle, No Difference,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones expounds Paul’s teaching and brings contemporary application. Specifically, he applies Paul’s teaching here to dispensationalism and its teaching that makes a distinction between salvation for Jews and salvation for the church. In an amicable spirit, Dr. Lloyd-Jones challenges the popular movement by rightly connecting the Old Testament teaching on salvation with the New Testament. He emphasizes that there is only one way with one gospel and no distinctions.
Sermon Breakdown
- There is only one way of salvation, and it is through Jesus Christ. No one, in any dispensation, has ever been saved in any other way.
- There is only one gospel. The gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of grace are the same. There are not separate gospels for Jews and Gentiles.
- Salvation is the same for all people, everywhere, at all times. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. All are saved the same way.
- The distinction between Jew and Gentile has been abolished. Gentiles have been added to the people of God, but all come to God the same way.
- The church is one. The church of the Old Testament and the church of the New Testament are the same. There are not separate churches for Jews and Gentiles.
- All believers, whether Jew or Gentile, are children of Abraham and heirs of the promises of God to Abraham. Those promises are not for Jews only.
- The only thing necessary for salvation is to call upon the name of the Lord. Nothing else is required or accepted. No one is saved any other way.
- Calling upon the name of the Lord means realizing you have a need, that you are hopeless and helpless, and crying out to God, confessing Christ as Lord, and relying only on Him for salvation.
- "Whosoever" means salvation is open to anyone. Since the only requirement is to call on the Lord in faith, with nothing else to offer, the invitation is open to all.
The Book of Romans
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.