To the Jew first...

From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subj: Re: Tongues

>>>CQ> It occurred when God got the remnant of Israel saved by grace that Paul was going for when he was going to "the Jew first". Compare Acts 28:20 with Eph.3:1.

>>CQ2> I don't follow your argument here.

>CQ> The point is that in Acts 28:20 it's for the hope of ISRAEL. In Eph.3:1-2 it's "for you GENTILES". A definite change.

Paul was a prisoner for "the hope of Israel", which is ALSO the "hope" of Gentiles, as it is written, Christ in you, the hope of glory. (And Eph.2:11-18 includes "both" Jews and Gentiles. And anyone can see that the Lord Himself is the hope of Israel:

"O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not." (Jer.14:8,9, and see also Col.3:4-14)

>>CQ2> I don't follow your argument here. Expand it for me.

>CQ> Paul's early ministry was "to the Jew first". (Rom.1:16 and other places in Rom.-Gal.). In so doing, Paul used "signs and wonders" because these things belong to the Jew. (See I Cor.1:22).

No. 1Cor.1:22 is NOT an exclusive statement that signs are only for the Jews. And you will find the expression "signs and wonders" in the first (Romans) and last (Hebrews) of Paul's epistles in the Bible. (And many references to signs between, especially 2Cor.12:12). But we should beware of deceptive "signs and lying wonders" (2Thes.2:9p).

>CQ> Israel rejected the gospel of grace given to Paul three distinct times: Acts 13, 18, and 28. In the mouth of two or three witnesses every word is established.

No. Many Israelites, including Paul, did receive the gospel, and he was one witness speaking unto three separate groups of Jews in those cases, and his turning away was LOCAL from particular unbelieving Jews in the same region, and you will find that even then some of the Jews did follow him. (See Acts 17:5,13 for why SOME were rejected.)

"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy." (Rom.11:11)

Remember that Jesus is the Lord and be not wise in your own conceits: The same Lord of all who makes Jews jealous by giving to Gentiles, is preparing to gather ALL nations for JUDGMENT, and restore Israel.

Grace be unto Jews and Gentiles for Jesus' sake. Amen. --Richard

also to the Gentile

From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subj: Re: Tongues

>CQ> In Acts 28 (the last of Paul's ministry "to the Jew first") Paul says he's "bound for the hope Of ISRAEL".

Acts 28 was the "last" of the Acts of the Apostles. Ephesians was clearly written BEFORE the conclusion of the Acts of the Apostles. All Apostles gave the gospel to the Jew first, and the "last" of Paul's epistles in the Bible is HEBREWS. (Salvation is of the Jews.)

"For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judæa are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:" (1Thess.1:14)

>CQ> Ephesians is the first book to the Gentiles AFTER Paul's ministry "to the Jew first" is completed. From that point on through Paul's letters to the church GENTILES are Emphasized, and the Jew no longer has an advantage.

Paul was already "the apostle of the Gentiles" in Romans. The GOSPEL is to the Jew first and also unto the Gentiles, but Paul was very specifically chosen to be "the apostle of the Gentiles" (Rom.11:13).

Paul's apostleship was primarily for Gentiles, as the Lord said unto him at MIDDAY in the way to Damascus at the first:

"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." (Acts 26:15p-18)

>CQ> Hence, Paul is a prisoner in Ephesians "for you GENTILES".

Prisoner IN Rome for the hope of Israel for you Gentiles, to whom he was supposed to be dispensing the grace of God given him to you-ward.

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:47)

There are still Jews among all nations whom Paul says are "beloved". Such love! That God should love a sinner such as I! Amazing Grace! The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be unto you all. Amen. --Richard

Last/First

From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subj: To the Jew first... [and] also to the Gentile

>>>QU> In Acts 28 (the last of Paul's ministry "to the Jew first")

>>RC> Acts 28 was the "last" of the Acts of the Apostles. Ephesians was clearly written BEFORE the conclusion of the Acts of the Apostles.

>CQ> How did you figure that?

With some "hill country" wisdom from an old country doctor. (Lk.1 :)
(1Cor.2:1-16, Acts 16:10, Acts 14:27/Acts 13:47/Isa.49:6, Eph.3:8, Eph.1:15, Acts 20:24,25/2Tim.4:6,7/1Thes.4:15, 2Tim.4:11,13,16,etc.)

>>RC> All Apostles gave the gospel to the Jew first, and the "last" of Paul's epistles in the Bible is HEBREWS. (Salvation is of the Jews.)

>CQ> How do you figure that Paul wrote Hebrews?

The scripture "given by inspiration of God" says: "The epistle of Paul the apostle to the Hebrews". (cf.Heb.1:1-3 with Acts 17:24,25)

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." (Heb.13:9)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. --Richard