Jesus commanded his Twelve disciples to continue sharing the gospel that he began to Israel. His message included such things as: Jesus is the messiah (anointed one), Jesus is the son of God, Jesus is the king of Israel, Jesus is the one through whom God would deliver Israel, and prepare yourselves for the kingdom by loving one another.
The Twelve, which developed the Jerusalem Church, continued to share this gospel (good news) message about the king and kingdom to the surrounding area. Of course, new elements were included in the message by the Twelve after Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension. Before Jesus ascended, he commanded his disciples to take this message first to Jerusalem, then Judea, then Samaria and finally to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The Old Testament prophets prophesied that the nation of Israel would be a great beacon of light of God’s salvation to the nations of the world. But for this to happen, the nation of Israel had to accept their Messiah. The Twelve preached to Israel for a few years after Christ’s resurrection, but the majority of Israel continued to reject their Messiah. Before the Twelve ever made it out of Israel and into the Gentile nations, God chose Paul to take the message of the gospel out to the nations. God was not about to let His plan of salvation for the ends of the earth to be put on hold just because of the stubborn Israelites.
Paul’s message included additional elements that the Jerusalem group would not have needed. The Twelve focused primarily on converting the Jews. The reason is because the plan was that the nation of Israel would first convert and then be a magnet to the surrounding nations. Paul was to reach out primarily to the Gentile nations and that’s why we see God sending him OUT on missionary trips. Since Paul was reaching out to Gentiles, his message obviously included elements as to how Gentiles were included in the blessings and promises of Israel.
Questions are welcome.
The Twelve, which developed the Jerusalem Church, continued to share this gospel (good news) message about the king and kingdom to the surrounding area. Of course, new elements were included in the message by the Twelve after Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension. Before Jesus ascended, he commanded his disciples to take this message first to Jerusalem, then Judea, then Samaria and finally to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
The Old Testament prophets prophesied that the nation of Israel would be a great beacon of light of God’s salvation to the nations of the world. But for this to happen, the nation of Israel had to accept their Messiah. The Twelve preached to Israel for a few years after Christ’s resurrection, but the majority of Israel continued to reject their Messiah. Before the Twelve ever made it out of Israel and into the Gentile nations, God chose Paul to take the message of the gospel out to the nations. God was not about to let His plan of salvation for the ends of the earth to be put on hold just because of the stubborn Israelites.
Paul’s message included additional elements that the Jerusalem group would not have needed. The Twelve focused primarily on converting the Jews. The reason is because the plan was that the nation of Israel would first convert and then be a magnet to the surrounding nations. Paul was to reach out primarily to the Gentile nations and that’s why we see God sending him OUT on missionary trips. Since Paul was reaching out to Gentiles, his message obviously included elements as to how Gentiles were included in the blessings and promises of Israel.
Questions are welcome.