peepnklown said:
When Jesus invokes himself he makes himself clear: I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus clearly says I.
Jesus also says: Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
If you want to pull out the Greek term ethnos which means people of the same race or nationality who share a distinctive culture we have to trace the Greek back to the Aramaic that Jesus most likely spoke: and the words for people and nation are basically the same word.
So in historical context Jesus came for Israel/Judah.
We are not going to speculate whether Jesus spoke this in Aramaic. This discussion is only relevant to what the term actually means in the language that we are discussing it inGreek. I gave you the definition. From Strongs, it is rendered as a very strong reference to nationalities/people outside of Jews. Let's not ignore that. Here it is again as a reminder.
ethnos
eth'-nos - a race (as of the same habit), that is,
a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): -
Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
Also, lets not lose sight of the context nations is used in. The decree from Jesus was to go out from Jerusalem and into the other nations. It did not say to the other 12 tribes or to the rest of Israel. The usage is not specific enough to make a claim of to Israel only. The context of all of the other passages that Jesus speaks in after His resurrection are consistent with nations as being of other lands and people and not to Jews specifically. In fact, I will go as far as saying that it refers to all other nations specifically excluding Israel.
peepnklown said:
They must have not been around for Matthew 10:5-6.
When dealing with a historical outlook I have every right to ignore Acts.
If you cannot separate a historical discussion from your theology then this discussion is fruitless.
I suppose that you do have a right. The question to be answered is if your right of refusal is binding to this discussion. You cannot just throw out Acts because you dont believe that Jesus is speaking in a human body, therefore, making any reference to his speech non historical. I think this is what you are arguing. If I am incorrect, then explain and I will be most gracious to correct myself.
What is it that you don't see about the Luke 24 passage? You asked for proof that Jesus was not sent only to the house of Israel. I gave you the quote from Luke 24 which shows Jesus in his flesh communicating with His disciples after He had resurrected from the grave. You asked for quotes that showed Jesus speaking directly while confessing His motives to go beyond the lost sheep in the house of Israel. Now you refuse it. I will post it again with a little more context.
Luk 24:36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them,
Peace be unto you.
Luk 24:37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
Luk 24:38 And he said unto them,
Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
Luk 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Luk 24:40 And when he had thus spoken, he showed them
his hands and
his feet.
Luk 24:41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them,
Have ye here any meat?
Luk 24:42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb.
Luk 24:43 And he took
it, and did eat before them.
Luk 24:44 And he said unto them,
These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures,
Luk 24:46 And said unto them,
Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Luk 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
Luk 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Luk 24:50 And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
Luk 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
Luk 24:52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
Luk 24:53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
What prevents you from accepting this passage? Please don't tell me that it is a ghost. This is him directly speaking and telling His disciples to go to all nations. This passage is directly related to Acts chapter 1 that I posted earlier, which you dismissed. Here it is again.
Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Act 1:7 And he said unto them,
It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
I hope that you see the connection that I was trying to show you earlier about Jesus ministry from pre-resurrection to post-resurrection. The difference being that at post resurrection, He is leaving the rest of His ministry in the hands of His trained hands (Disciples) to finish the mission outside of Israel.
