The concept of being "included" in the biblical context often relates to themes of community, belonging, and the divine invitation extended to all people to partake in the promises of God. This theme is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting God's desire for inclusivity within His covenantal relationship with humanity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of inclusion is primarily seen in God's covenant with Israel, where He calls a specific people to be His own. However, the inclusion of Gentiles is also foreshadowed. For instance, in Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham, "And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." This indicates that the blessings of the covenant are not limited to Israel alone but are intended for all nations.

The account of Ruth, a Moabite woman, further exemplifies inclusion. Despite being a foreigner, Ruth is welcomed into the community of Israel and becomes an ancestor of King David and, ultimately, Jesus Christ. Her inclusion signifies God's openness to those outside the ethnic boundaries of Israel who choose to follow Him.

New Testament Context

The New Testament expands on the theme of inclusion, particularly through the ministry of Jesus Christ and the early Church. Jesus' interactions with Samaritans, tax collectors, and sinners illustrate His mission to include those marginalized by society. In John 10:16, Jesus states, "I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd." This passage underscores the inclusivity of Jesus' mission, extending beyond the Jewish people to all who would believe in Him.

The Apostle Paul further articulates this theme in his epistles. In Galatians 3:28, he writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This declaration emphasizes the breaking down of social and ethnic barriers within the body of Christ, affirming that all believers are included in the promises of God regardless of their background.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of being included in the family of God is central to the doctrine of salvation. Through faith in Jesus Christ, individuals are grafted into the spiritual lineage of Abraham, as Paul explains in Romans 11:17-24. This grafting signifies that Gentiles, once outsiders, are now partakers of the rich heritage and promises given to Israel.

The inclusion of all believers into the body of Christ is also a reflection of the unity and diversity within the Church. As described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink." This passage highlights the unity of believers, each contributing uniquely to the whole.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the biblical theme of inclusion calls Christians to embrace diversity within the Church and to extend the message of the Gospel to all people. It challenges believers to break down barriers of race, class, and culture, reflecting the inclusive love of God in their communities and relationships. The Church is called to be a welcoming place where all individuals can find their identity and purpose in Christ, fully included in the family of God.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Include.

2. (a.) Enclosed; confined.

1936. epithesis -- a laying on, an assault
... (Ro 1:11) Paul exemplified face-to-face because these are . They included: "laying
on of hands" (done in conjunction with the elders of the church), and (cf. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1936.htm - 7k

3762. oudeis and outheis, oudemia, ouden and outhen -- no one ...
... It rules out , ie "shuts the door" and leaves no exceptions. 3762 () is in force
so it excludes () that is included withing the premise (supposition). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3762.htm - 8k

1128. gumnazo -- to exercise naked, to train
... 1128 () conveys acquiring -- regular exercise with graduated resistance (the physical
element is also included with the spiritual of being in "God's gymnasium ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1128.htm - 7k

5171. truphao -- to live luxuriously
... See 5172 (). 5171 ("indulging in dainty living") is only used in Js 5:5. ["Dainty
living" in NT times included going to the public baths ("wash houses ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5171.htm - 7k

3761. oude -- and not, neither
... This is analogous to the following: Because 100 is not enough, then neither
are 90, 80, or 70 because they are all included in 100. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3761.htm - 8k

3648. holokleros -- complete, entire
... 3648 (from 3650 , "whole" and 2819 , "a , cast to better discern God's
preferred-will") -- properly, "all that is included (apportioned) through divine ." ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3648.htm - 7k

6790. Tsin -- a desert area which included Kadesh-barnea
... 6789, 6790. Tsin. 6791 . a desert area which included Kadesh-barnea.
Transliteration: Tsin Phonetic Spelling: (tseen) Short Definition: Zin. ...
/hebrew/6790.htm - 6k

5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb
... goes (6), going (8), gone (18), gone away (2), got back (1), grew (3), grow (2),
grow back (1), grows (1), imported* (2), incite (1), included (1), invaded (2 ...
/hebrew/5927.htm - 8k

Whether the Order of Charity is Included in the Precept?
... OF THE PRECEPTS OF CHARITY (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the order of charity is included
in the precept? ... Therefore it is not included in the precept. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the order of charity 2.htm

The Selections Included in the Present Collection.
... IX."The Selections Included in the Present Collection. The specimens of
Ephraim's compositions offered in these selections are:" ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/ix the selections included in the.htm

Whether Thoughtlessness is a Special Sin Included in Prudence?
... OF IMPRUDENCE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether thoughtlessness is a special sin included
in prudence? Objection 1: It would seem that thoughtlessness ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether thoughtlessness is a special.htm

Whether Precipitation is a Sin Included in Imprudence?
... OF IMPRUDENCE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether precipitation is a sin included in
imprudence? Objection 1: It would seem that precipitation ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether precipitation is a sin.htm

Whether all Other Beatitude is Included in the Beatitude of God?
... OF THE DIVINE BEATITUDE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether all other beatitude is included
in the beatitude of God? Objection 1: It seems that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all other beatitude is.htm

Books not Included in the Hebrew Canon.
... CHAPTER III. BOOKS NOT INCLUDED IN THE HEBREW CANON. THE MSS. ... Maccabees. We may add
the Psalms of Solomon, a book which was sometimes included in MSS. ...
/.../chapter iii books not included.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue Should have Included a ...
... OF THE PRECEPTS RELATING TO PRUDENCE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether the precepts
of the decalogue should have included a precept of prudence? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 5.htm

Serapion: Everybody is Perfectly Agreed that There are Eight ...
... affect a monk. And all of them are not included in the figure of the nations
for this reason... Chapter XVIII. Serapion: Everybody ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xviii serapion everybody is.htm

Of the Fact that the Question Suggested Ought to be Included among ...
... Chapter V. Of the fact that the question suggested ought to be included
among those things to be held in a neutral or doubtful way. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter v of the fact.htm

The Power of Rome Romanized Aspect of all the Heathen Mythology. ...
... Heathen Mythology. Varro's Threefold Distribution Criticised. Roman Heroes
(??neas Included,) Unfavourably Reviewed. Such are the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter ix the power of rome.htm

Included (17 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Included (17 Occurrences). ... (See RSV NIV). Joshua
21:42 Each of these cities included their suburbs around them. ...
/i/included.htm - 11k

Include (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To confine within; to hold; to contain; to shut up; to enclose; as, the
shell of a nut includes the kernel; a pearl is included in a shell. ...
/i/include.htm - 8k

Graecia
... as touching certain peoples, as, eg the Epirotes, Macedonians, and even the Thessalians,
whether they should be accounted Hellenes and as included in Hellas. ...
/g/graecia.htm - 21k

Derbe (4 Occurrences)
... province and called Galatia (see GALATIA). This province included Laranda
as well as Derbe on the extreme. Southeast, and for a time ...
/d/derbe.htm - 15k

Slavonic
... According to tradition, his translation included the entire Bible with the exception
of Kings (which he thought unadapted to the already too warlike character ...
/s/slavonic.htm - 13k

Georgian
... According to tradition, his translation included the entire Bible with the exception
of Kings (which he thought unadapted to the already too warlike character ...
/g/georgian.htm - 13k

Gothic
... According to tradition, his translation included the entire Bible with the exception
of Kings (which he thought unadapted to the already too warlike character ...
/g/gothic.htm - 13k

Cush (31 Occurrences)
... 38:5), and with the Sabeans (Isaiah 45:14). From these facts it has been inferred
that Cush included Arabia and the country on the west coast of the Red Sea. ...
/c/cush.htm - 25k

Deutero-canonical
... du-ter-o-ka-non'-i-kal: A term sometimes used to designate certain books, which
by the Council of Trent were included in the Old Testament, but which the ...
/d/deutero-canonical.htm - 14k

Deuterocanonical
... du-ter-o-ka-non'-i-kal: A term sometimes used to designate certain books, which
by the Council of Trent were included in the Old Testament, but which the ...
/d/deuterocanonical.htm - 14k

What items should be included in a church constitution? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God command the extermination / genocide of the Canaanites, women and children included? | GotQuestions.org

What is the book of Ecclesiasticus? | GotQuestions.org

Included: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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