Gentile – Any nationality other than Israelite.
God used this word 131 times in Scripture: 30 times to Israel in the Masoretic Text Old Testament; 17 times to Israel in the Koine Greek Old Testament; 6 times to Israel in the transition book of Acts; 24 times to the Body of Christ in the transition book of Acts; 50 times to the Body of Christ in the Gospel of Grace; and 4 times to Israel in their tribulation books.
Being a gentile is simply an issue of nationality; you are either a direct descendant of Abraham, or you are not. You are either an Israelite, or you are not.
The notable attributes of a gentile are that they are without the God of Israel; they have no inheritance, promises, or covenants from God.
According to Scripture, they worship their own gods, have their own religious customs, rituals, traditions, beliefs, artifacts, sanctuaries, etc. In the Masoretic Text Old Testament, God had a plan to save the gentiles; gentiles are part of Israel’s inheritance (Isaiah 54:3). God is now administering that plan, in the Dispensation of Grace, via the Gospel of Grace.
The Christian Religions and belief systems have attached a negative connotation to this word, while in fact, according to Scripture, they are in fact the very gentiles that God talks about in Scripture. Acting contrary to Scripture, they have their own religious customs, rituals, traditions, beliefs, artifacts, sanctuaries, etc. And while ignoring Scripture, they claim to serve the God of Israel.
The great fallacy of Christianity is their teaching of salvation through Israel’s Kingdom Program outlined by God in the Koine Greek Old Testament Gospel accounts of Matthew thru mid-Acts, and Israel’s New Testament books of Hebrews thru Revelation. God is very clear in these books that there are gentiles allowed; these are Israel-only provisions for salvation.
The distinction between gentile and heathen is simply the issue of habitat. Gentiles are farmers, shepherds, and city/urban dwellers: all heathens are gentiles, but not all gentiles are heathens.
See also Christian, Grecian, Heathen, Hebrew, Jew, Proselyte