When most people start reading and studying the Bible they get an understanding that the Old Testament was written about Israel and the Jewish people.
Approximately 85% of the Bible was written about the nation of Israel.
The first mention of Israel is in Genesis 32 where Jacob’s name is changed to Israel. He had 12 sons that formed the 12 tribes of the nation of Israel. You can read about those twelve sons in Genesis 29 & 30.
Then when Christendom turns to the page after Malachi they see “The New Testament” and they come up with this preconceived idea that it’s all about them. But let’s search the Scriptures to see if that is true.
Jesus in Matthew 10 gave some instructions to the Apostles.
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel
Matthew 10:5-6
He later responded to the Canaanite woman.
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matthew 15:24
When he was conversing with the woman of Samaria he told her.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews.
John 4:22
These examples in the Gospels have so far shown us that Jesus came for and was ministering to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Paul even concurs with this in Romans.
Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
Romans 15:8
The Acts of the Apostles might say something different.
Peter is speaking after Pentecost and the gift of the Spirit was upon him.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Acts 2:36
Ye men of Israel,
Acts 3:12
Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers,
Acts 3:25
Now if Peter were addressing both Jews and Gentiles alike why wouldn’t he saying something like “all you guys”?
We know that there was great persecution in Jerusalem and many were scattered about. Surely one would think that the scattered were preaching to the Gentiles. But what does Scripture say.
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.
Acts 11:19
There is a reason these scriptures say what they do. God was still using Israel as His channel to bless the nations (Gentiles) this was the covenant given to Abraham. But Israel as a nation had to get on board first.
If you continue reading in Acts you will see that Peter is no longer mention after Acts. 15.
There came a dispensational change with the salvation of Paul in mid Acts.
In these previous verses there is a Jew only audience. But now, something changed as Paul writes in Galatians.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:28
Rightly dividing the Scriptures helps us to understand why God did what He did and in the time frame in which it was done.
To see Souls saved and Saints edified!
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