"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. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand."
Today's is a very short lesson but a very important one that is often overlooked or misunderstood in bible study. Note that Jesus told the apostles to stay away from the Gentiles and to go and preach only to their own Jewish brethren. This information is important in that it confirms that the message, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand.", was meant to warn and prepare the Jewish nation about the inevitable coming of the new doctrine of Christianity, a wholly new law that could not be preached until the old Law was done away. Jesus would replace that old Law. That replacement, however, could not occur until Jesus had finished His divine mission to be a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED." Jesus, during His ministry, fulfilled every requirement of the old Law and allowed for it to be replaced with the new law of salvation by grace through faith.
The message the apostles were to teach was NOT Christian doctrine as many today contend. The doctrine of Jesus Christ, which later would be called "Christianity" could not be taught until Jesus had successfully fulfilled the old Law, completed His supreme sacrifice and ascended back to the Father in heaven.
The message the apostles were to teach was NOT Christian doctrine as many today contend. The doctrine of Jesus Christ, which later would be called "Christianity" could not be taught until Jesus had successfully fulfilled the old Law, completed His supreme sacrifice and ascended back to the Father in heaven.
It is very important to keep all bible study within it's original context so as not to distort the intent of each individual lesson.~
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