THE JEWISHNESS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT

[son of Hilkiah]

In understanding the Jewish foundations of the Christian faith most people recognize that the First Testament is very Jewish. Many even think that the Second Testament is a Gentile book and not very Jewish at all. But let’s put this in perspective.

The First Testament and the Second Testament are actually two halves of exactly the same book and if you want to understand the Second Testament you first need to understand the First Testament.

In Gentile minds they believe that the Second Testament supersedes the First Testament, but this is not the case. What most people don’t understand is that the Second (New) Testament is so unbelievably Jewish. If you push a Gentile mind into something that is inherently Jewish at every level, they can come up with some unfortunate understandings or interpretations. Although this is not deliberate on their part, it was deliberate in the early centuries in men’s attempts to severing its Jewish connection.

The Second Testament was written entirely by Jews. Most biblical scholars that read the New Testament understand it was written entirely by Jews and for the Jews. The writers themselves wrote with Jewish or Hebrew understanding and the historical framework of the original writers had written from was from the framework of Judaism.

The first four books of the Second Testament called the Gospels is completely written to a Jewish audience and it’s about Jewish history as it was unfolding. These were the eyewitness testimonies of what was happening in Judaea, the home of the Jews, to the Jewish people. It mentions the despots or occupying forces of the Romans and Herod who were oppressing the Jewish people.

The Second Testament is also a book about fulfilled prophecy. Most people when they read the Second Testament don’t realize how many times the Second Testament is referencing the First Testament.

The writers of the Second Testament could not look up Matthew or take a quote from apostle Paul out of Colossians because they only had the First Testament to reference, and they were filled with prophecy. Jesus Himself referenced and quoted the First Testament speaking about their prophets out of the books of Moses and Daniel and Jonah and others. When Jesus was asked a question, He took the person back to the First Testament. He wasn’t coming up with something new but firmly and solidly answered all questions by referencing the First Testament writings.

Jesus was always quoting the First Covenant. Jesus was addressing a Jewish audience in the sermon on the Mount by bringing up the First Testament writings by saying, “You have heard it said…” or “It is written…” then He’d quote the passage relevant to His response in answer to the question or teaching.

Another fact is the Second Testament was written in the language of the Jews. We have the Second Covenant Scriptures written in Greek because they were living at a time when the culture was Greek and Hellenistic but the Jews themselves spoke Aramaic and Hebrew. So, even if they were speaking in Greek they were still talking about Hebrew and Jewish concepts and principles and traditions.

The language they used was the language of the Jewish people. The Second Testament is a book of Jews dealing with Jews. You had the Jewish believers that were dealing with antagonism and persecution of the religious Jewish leaders who had rejected Messiah. There were also Jewish believers dealing with issues of a growing Church and how the Holy Spirit was moving. For instance, such as when Gentile believers started wanting to join the Church and the question of whether or not they had to become Jews and circumcised. Even when Paul preached to his Jewish brethren and said, “I am going to go to the Gentiles” everywhere he traveled he went to the synagogue first and he preached to the Jews out of their Law that this Jesus was their Messiah and Redeemer and King.

The Second Testament is a book about Jewish history. Everything that unfolded in their present time always reflected to the First Covenant and the history of the Jewish people. In Corinthians Paul speaks about their forefathers and their wandering in the wilderness and their rebelliousness and concludes all of that happening was for your learning.

When you read through Revelation it is referring to history future not just history of the world but directly how it will affect the Jewish people. Most people just don’t realize how Jewish Revelation is. It talks about the Temple and the various practices going on there.

James, the apostle to the Jews, also talks about Jewish history and directly addresses his epistle to the “twelve tribes scattered abroad” which was true for the Jews had been living far and wide in Gentile lands as a result of the Diaspora and exile and conquest by the Assyrians and then the Babylonians. When Jesus sent the apostles out in Acts 1, He sent them out to take a message to the twelve tribe descendants in Gentile lands that Israel’s Messiah, Redeemer, and King had come, and that God had kept His Promise in fulfilling every prophecy up to that time and with a message directly from God.

The book of Hebrew also explains so much of Temple practices and principles and Jewish history written to the Jews (Hebrews) and the relevance of all the symbolism of Judaism with the covenants, the promises, and their Law. All of it explained in Christ.

Peter, James, and John, all three known apostles to the Jews write to the Jews and on many subjects going directly to the effect the Messiah and Christ had brought upon them with His arrival and what it meant to Israel living at that time. Paul’s letters to the various Jewish churches in Asia Minor speaks directly to his Jewish brethren on many issues confronting their new faith in Messiah and how it was to play out in their daily lives.

 

[Clare73]

In understanding the Jewish foundations of the Christian faith most people recognize that the First Testament is very Jewish. Many even think that the Second Testament is a Gentile book and not very Jewish at all. But let’s put this in perspective.
The First Testament and the Second Testament are actually two halves of exactly the same book and if you want to understand the Second Testament you first need to understand the First Testament.
In Gentile minds they believe that the Second Testament supersedes the First Testament, but this is not the case. What most people don’t understand is that the Second (New) Testament is so unbelievably Jewish. If you push a Gentile mind into something that is inherently Jewish at every level, they can come up with some unfortunate understandings or interpretations. Although this is not deliberate on their part, it was deliberate in the early centuries in men’s attempts to severing its Jewish connection.

The Second Testament was written entirely by Jews.

The gospel of Luke was written by a Greek physician who accompanied Paul on some of his journeys.
The many letters of Paul were written to Gentiles.

Most biblical scholars that read the New Testament understand it was written entirely by Jews and for the Jews.

Not so.

The gospel of John was written much later with the Greeks (Gentiles) in mind.

The writers themselves wrote with Jewish or Hebrew understanding and the historical framework of the original writers had written from was from the framework of Judaism.

And what's more, Jesus was a Jew.

The first four books of the Second Testament called the Gospels is completely written to a Jewish audience

The gospel of John was written with the Greeks in mind.

and it’s about Jewish history as it was unfolding. These were the eyewitness testimonies of what was happening in Judaea, the home of the Jews, to the Jewish people. It mentions the despots or occupying forces of the Romans and Herod who were oppressing the Jewish people.
The Second Testament is also a book about fulfilled prophecy. Most people when they read the Second Testament don’t realize how many times the Second Testament is referencing the First Testament.
The writers of the Second Testament could not look up Matthew or take a quote from apostle Paul out of Colossians because they only had the First Testament to reference, and they were filled with prophecy. Jesus Himself referenced and quoted the First Testament speaking about their prophets out of the books of Moses and Daniel and Jonah and others. When Jesus was asked a question, He took the person back to the First Testament. He wasn’t coming up with something new but firmly and solidly answered all questions by referencing the First Testament writings.
Jesus was always quoting the First Covenant. Jesus was addressing a Jewish audience in the sermon on the Mount by bringing up the First Testament writings by saying, “You have heard it said…” or “It is written…” then He’d quote the passage relevant to His response in answer to the question or teaching.
Another fact is the Second Testament was written in the language of the Jews. We have the Second Covenant Scriptures written in Greek because they were living at a time when the culture was Greek and Hellenistic but the Jews themselves spoke Aramaic and Hebrew. So, even if they were speaking in Greek they were still talking about Hebrew and Jewish concepts and principles and traditions.

The language they used was the language of the Jewish people. The Second Testament is a book of Jews dealing with Jews.

Except for the gospel of Luke, who was not a Jew, and the many letters of Paul to the Gentiles who also were not Jews.

The NT is the revelation of Messiah, who was a Jew.

Your point?

 

[son of Hilkiah]

The gospel of Luke was written by a Greek physician who accompanied Paul on some of his journeys.
The many letters of Paul were written to Gentiles.

That’s the tradition but in reality he was a Hellenized Jew. I take a 51% view this is correct.
The other is that God ordained that the Hebrews possess the oracles of God.

Not so.
The gospel of John was written much later with the Greeks (Gentiles) in mind.

God is establishing the continuation of His Church established in the desert at the time of the Tabernacle. The first to be saved through Israel’s Messiah are Jews and the writings of the New Testament were Jewish Christians writing to Jewish Christians to testify to the Jews that this Jesus is their Messiah and that they would believe. The gospels are a history of the Jewish people continued as the last time God spoke to Israel was 400 years earlier through the prophet Malachi.

And what's more, Jesus was a Jew.
The gospel of John was written with the Greeks in mind.

It makes no sense for God keeping His Promise to send Israel’s Messiah and write a letter to Gentiles who know nothing of the promise or their religion. God wrote to His people Israel.

Except for the gospel of Luke, who was not a Jew, and the many letters of Paul to the Gentiles who also were not Jews.

The whole writings of the New Testament deals with covenants, promises, and history of the Jewish people. Something Gentiles know nothing about.

 

[Clare73]

That’s the tradition but in reality he was a Hellenized Jew. I take a 51% view this is correct.
The other is that God ordained that the Hebrews possess the oracles of God.

God is establishing the continuation of His Church established in the desert at the time of the Tabernacle. The first to be saved through Israel’s Messiah are Jews and the writings of the New Testament were Jewish Christians writing to Jewish Christians to testify to the Jews that this Jesus is their Messiah and that they would believe. The gospels are a history of the Jewish people continued as the last time God spoke to Israel was 400 years earlier through the prophet Malachi.

It makes no sense for God keeping His Promise to send Israel’s Messiah and write a letter to Gentiles who know nothing of the promise or their religion. God wrote to His people Israel.

What "makes sense" to you is not God's rule of thumb.

The whole writings of the New Testament deals with covenants, promises, and history of the Jewish people. Something Gentiles know nothing about.So?

So?

They knew nothing about Christ, which is why he wrote to them about him.

Have you read Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Thessalonians, etc.?

 

[BNR32FAN]

That’s the tradition but in reality he was a Hellenized Jew. I take a 51% view this is correct.
The other is that God ordained that the Hebrews possess the oracles of God.

Paul often taught the gentiles about the gifts of prophecy. 1 Corinthians 14 Then there’s Cornelius’ vision in Acts 10. And Peter quoting Joel 2:28-29 reveals that God’s Spirit will come to all mankind and they will prophesy and see visions. Apparently this included Cornelius.

“‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams;”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

 

[rockytopva]

I believe the writers of the New Testament of the first congregation.... In which was Messianic...

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; - Revelation 1:20 - Revelation 2:1

Ephesus - Messianic - Beginning with the Apostle to the Circumcision, Peter
Smyrna - Martyr - Beginning with the Apostle to the Un-Circumcision, Paul
Pergamos - Orthodoxy formed in this time... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholicism formed in this time - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestantism formed in this time- A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism formed in this time - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Charismatic movement formed in this time - Beginning with DL Moody, the first to make money off of ministry

Candlesticks - Seven church congregations
Stars - Individuals within the congregations, all held in the right hand of Christ
Seals - The seven seals sealed each congregation within the lambs book of life
Angels - The current preacher to the congregation.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. - Revelation 5:4

If this interpretation is not correct why all the ado? And... If you have a better interpretation please post your info! I dont mind for people to disagree with me and may end up learning a thing of two! I believe the churches came down as seven and each congregation is different in their generation!

There may be two exceptions here...

Paul - A break away from the Messianic congregation?
Luke - Was he ever Messianic?

It seems to me that the Apostle Paul and Luke ministered to an entirely Gentile congregation. In which I would call Smyrnaen, or Oriental Orthodox.

 

[son of Hilkiah]

What "makes sense" to you is not God's rule of thumb.

What makes sense to God is what He ordains and He doesn't change what He's promised.

They knew nothing about Christ, which is why he wrote to them about him.

God wrote to Israel about Israel's Messiah and the effect He had on Judaism, specifically the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants and their prophecies about Him. Gentiles would know nothing about these things due to the middle wall partition and the animosity Israel had for Gentiles and vice versa.

Have you read Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Thessalonians, etc.?

Yes.

ROMANS:
PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
-- Gentiles know nothing about Israel's prophets not their prophecy.
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
-- Gentiles know nothing about the prophecies that Jesus Christ, Israel's Messiah, would come from the seed of David their king.
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
-- Gentiles who were idol-worshipers and did not know anything among their 1000s of gods about holiness or a Son of God or a resurrection from the dead. This is strictly a Hebrew/Jewish belief. Pharisees believed in this the Sadducees did not.
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
-- Gentiles in their pagan and heathenistic idol-worshiping know nothing about grace or apostleship. Nor would they refer to themselves as "goyim," a Hebrew word meaning "nations."
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
-- Gentiles know nothing in their pagan religion about "the called" (with the definite article) which the word translated into Greek is "ekkesia" which is translated as [the] "Church" (or "called [out] ones".)
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
-- Gentiles are not beloved of God, Israel is, and Israel is betrothed to God in the Old Testament:

19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever;
Yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment,
And in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness:
And thou shalt know the LORD.
Ho 2:19–20.

Israel is the Bride of God and His Christ. Israel is the Church. The Old Testament called those in covenant with God "saints."
And these saints are listed as follows: (note there are no Gentiles named here.)

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:
19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:
33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Heb. 11:7-33

Take note these are all Hebrew and one Jewish Gentile woman [Rahab] and saints of the House of Israel.. These people would be known to the children of Israel but not to Gentiles for Gentiles do not go to the Temple of Synagogues every Sabbath, nor sit at their Hebrew/Jewish father's and grandfather's feet being told these stories about their history.
Rom. 1:1–7.

The writers of the New Testament Scriptures/letters/gospels were Jews and wrote to Jewish Christians of which they were the ones to start the New Testament Church which is a continuation of the Old Testament Church known as the "Great Congregation" of over 3 million Jews in the desert at the time of the Tabernacle after being delivered out of Egypt.

 

[son of Hilkiah]

Have you read Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Thessalonians, etc.?

Corinthians:

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Cor. 1:12–13.

The Jewish Church at Corinth was divided. The Jewish Christians in this church had favorites and you'll notice their favorites were all Jews.

 

[son of Hilkiah]

Paul often taught the gentiles about the gifts of prophecy. 1 Corinthians 14 Then there’s Cornelius’ vision in Acts 10. And Peter quoting Joel 2:28-29 reveals that God’s Spirit will come to all mankind and they will prophesy and see visions. Apparently this included Cornelius.

“‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, And your young men shall see visions, And your old men shall dream dreams;”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

The New Testament Church was founded by Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost at the preaching of Peter. 3000 Jews were saved that day since they were the ones at the Hebrew Feast and were present at Peter's sermon in which He addressed "Ye men of Judaea" (vs. 14 two tribes of the southern kingdom), and "Ye men or Israel" (vs 22 ten tribes of the northern kingdom.) It was a continuation of the Church God founded with Israel His Chosen in the desert at the time of the Tabernacle. They were known in the Old Testament as the "Great Congregation" of over 3 million Hebrews/Jews. Jesus Christ is a Jewish Messiah who was promised to Israel and when Messiah came He taught Israel. He was sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
In Acts 7 Stephen, a Jew, was being persecuted for being converted to Christ by his Jewish brethren. After his stoning by his Jewish brethren for Christ there was a great persecution in Israel and the regular folk fled to other parts of Israel and into Gentile lands where they would have went to the local synagogue and witness in time to their Jewish brethren about Christ. Jews became saved. They were soon forced out of the synagogue for the Judaizers could not receive their Messiah was hung on a tree as it says in their Scripture such a person is cursed. So, Jewish Christians began their home fellowships. These were already in place when Paul visited and later wrote to them. He calls them "brethren" and writes about things in their religion fulfilled by Christ that only a Jew would know about such as Abraham, covenants, Moses, their history, prophecy from their prophets in the past, Judaism, its practices and their history.
Gentiles would know nothing about these things coming from heathen and pagan idol-worshiping 1000s of false gods. Paul taught Jews about the Promised Holy Spirit and the gifts and blessings He brings to God's Chosen people whom God chose to save.
No epistle or gospel was addressed to Gentiles. They were addressed to Jewish Christians and may speak of Gentile Christians or pagan Gentiles, but these writings were to Jewish Christians.

 

[son of Hilkiah]

I believe the writers of the New Testament of the first congregation.... In which was Messianic...

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; - Revelation 1:20 - Revelation 2:1

Ephesus - Messianic - Beginning with the Apostle to the Circumcision, Peter
Smyrna - Martyr - Beginning with the Apostle to the Un-Circumcision, Paul
Pergamos - Orthodoxy formed in this time... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholicism formed in this time - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestantism formed in this time- A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism formed in this time - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Charismatic movement formed in this time - Beginning with DL Moody, the first to make money off of ministry

Candlesticks - Seven church congregations
Stars - Individuals within the congregations, all held in the right hand of Christ
Seals - The seven seals sealed each congregation within the lambs book of life
Angels - The current preacher to the congregation.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. - Revelation 5:4

If this interpretation is not correct why all the ado? And... If you have a better interpretation please post your info! I dont mind for people to disagree with me and may end up learning a thing of two! I believe the churches came down as seven and each congregation is different in their generation!

There may be two exceptions here...

Paul - A break away from the Messianic congregation?
Luke - Was he ever Messianic?

It seems to me that the Apostle Paul and Luke ministered to an entirely Gentile congregation. In which I would call Smyrnaen, or Oriental Orthodox.

Until the destruction of the Temple "ism" of Judaism remained and Messiah came to and for the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The first converts to Christ were Jews. The gospels and epistles were written by Jewish Christians to other Jewish Christians throughout the then-known world. Jesus sent His disciples to the twelve tribes that were scattered throughout Gentile lands with the message of His arrival and that God has kept His Promises. For over four decades since Christ ascended the Church He promised to build was founded upon Jewish Christians for salvation is of the Jews and Israel is His Bride and the primary recipients of all that His arrival brought with Him with regard to the covenants, promises, and blessings.
It makes no sense initially for God to Promise Israel a Redeemer, King, and Savior, and when this concluded that He would send His first messages and the Holy Spirit of Promise to Gentiles. Especially since the bulk of the New Testament writings address Jewish issues and the effect Messiah's coming would have on Judaism.
If you were to try to read the New Testament (as well as the Old Testament) with a Jewish mind-set if at all possible and not as a Gentile then it will become clear to you. But if you insert Gentile where Jew belongs then you will end up with a lot of heretical doctrine which is in the Gentile Church today.
The Times of the Gentiles will end soon and God will turn His full attention back to Israel, remove their blindness, and fulfill the remainder of His promises to His betrothed and Church Israel.
At the Marriage Supper Israel will be there through covenant.
Gentiles will be there by invitation.

 

[Clare73]

The New Testament Church was founded by Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost at the preaching of Peter. 3000 Jews were saved that day since they were the ones at the Hebrew Feast and were present at Peter's sermon in which He addressed "Ye men of Judaea" (vs. 14 two tribes of the southern kingdom), and "Ye men or Israel" (vs 22 ten tribes of the northern kingdom.) It was a continuation of the Church God founded with Israel His Chosen in the desert at the time of the Tabernacle. They were known in the Old Testament as the "Great Congregation" of over 3 million Hebrews/Jews. Jesus Christ is a Jewish Messiah who was promised to Israel and when Messiah came He taught Israel. He was sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.

In Acts 7 Stephen, a Jew, was being persecuted for being converted to Christ by his Jewish brethren. After his stoning by his Jewish brethren for Christ

Jewish brethren for Christ are Christians, and Christians did not stone Stephen.

there was a great persecution in Israel and the regular folk fled to other parts of Israel and into Gentile lands where they would have went to the local synagogue and witness in time to their Jewish brethren about Christ. Jews became saved. They were soon forced out of the synagogue for the Judaizers could not receive their Messiah was hung on a tree as it says in their Scripture such a person is cursed. So, Jewish Christians began their home fellowships. These were already in place when Paul visited and later wrote to them. He calls them "brethren" and writes about things in their religion fulfilled by Christ that only a Jew would know about such as Abraham, covenants, Moses, their history, prophecy from their prophets in the past, Judaism, its practices and their history.
Gentiles would know nothing about these things coming from heathen and pagan idol-worshiping 1000s of false gods. Paul taught Jews about the Promised Holy Spirit and the gifts and blessings He brings to God's Chosen people whom God chose to save.
No epistle or gospel was addressed to Gentiles.

They were addressed to Jewish Christians and may speak of Gentile Christians or pagan Gentiles, but these writings were to Jewish Christians.

The Greeks were not Jewish Christians.

 

[Clare73]

Corinthians:

12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Cor. 1:12–13.

The Jewish Church at Corinth was divided. The Jewish Christians in this church had favorites and you'll notice their favorites were all Jews.

They were pitting Paul, Apollos and Peter against one another.

Apollos was not a Jew.

 

[son of Hilkiah]

Jewish brethren for Christ are Christians, and Christians did not stone Stephen.

You misread my comment.
Stephen was Jewish. Jews were his Jewish brethren. Paul and other Judaizers killed Stephen.

The Greeks were not Jewish Christians.

The birth of the New Testament Church was founded in Jerusalem by Jews.
I did not say Greeks were Jews.
You misread me here, too.

 

[son of Hilkiah]

They were pitting Paul, Apollos and Peter against one another.

Apollos was not a Jew.

No, they weren't.
It was celebrity 'worship.'
These Jewish Christians at Corinth had their favorites among the apostles.
Just like Gentile Christians at forums like this. You have your favorites and others have their favorites.
Same with Gentile Christian personalities. Chuck Smith has his followers, The antichrist John MacArthur has his followers. It's predominant in Gentile denominational churches.

Apollos was certainly a Jew and knew the Law.
He just needed to be schooled 'more perfectly' by Aquila and Priscilla.

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Acts 18:24–26.

 

[BNR32FAN]

The New Testament Church was founded by Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost at the preaching of Peter. 3000 Jews were saved that day since they were the ones at the Hebrew Feast and were present at Peter's sermon in which He addressed "Ye men of Judaea" (vs. 14 two tribes of the southern kingdom), and "Ye men or Israel" (vs 22 ten tribes of the northern kingdom.) It was a continuation of the Church God founded with Israel His Chosen in the desert at the time of the Tabernacle. They were known in the Old Testament as the "Great Congregation" of over 3 million Hebrews/Jews. Jesus Christ is a Jewish Messiah who was promised to Israel and when Messiah came He taught Israel. He was sent to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
In Acts 7 Stephen, a Jew, was being persecuted for being converted to Christ by his Jewish brethren. After his stoning by his Jewish brethren for Christ there was a great persecution in Israel and the regular folk fled to other parts of Israel and into Gentile lands where they would have went to the local synagogue and witness in time to their Jewish brethren about Christ. Jews became saved. They were soon forced out of the synagogue for the Judaizers could not receive their Messiah was hung on a tree as it says in their Scripture such a person is cursed. So, Jewish Christians began their home fellowships. These were already in place when Paul visited and later wrote to them. He calls them "brethren" and writes about things in their religion fulfilled by Christ that only a Jew would know about such as Abraham, covenants, Moses, their history, prophecy from their prophets in the past, Judaism, its practices and their history.
Gentiles would know nothing about these things coming from heathen and pagan idol-worshiping 1000s of false gods. Paul taught Jews about the Promised Holy Spirit and the gifts and blessings He brings to God's Chosen people whom God chose to save.
No epistle or gospel was addressed to Gentiles. They were addressed to Jewish Christians and may speak of Gentile Christians or pagan Gentiles, but these writings were to Jewish Christians.

That’s incorrect my friend the epistles were not all written to Jews most of them were written to their respective churches which were mostly in Gentile provinces and composed of mostly gentile converts with the exception of the two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus and one to Philimon. Paul is well know for being very clear on who he addressed his epistles to in every one of them, unless of course he did write Hebrews which could possibly be the one exception.

“to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬


“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

 

[BNR32FAN]

The antichrist John MacArthur has his followers.

I think that may be a bit harsh but I’m not going to disagree with it. Lol at his age and at his level of study he should know better.

 

[son of Hilkiah]

That’s incorrect my friend the epistles were not all written to Jews most of them were written to their respective churches which were mostly in Gentile provinces and composed of mostly gentile converts with the exception of the two epistles to Timothy and the one to Titus and one to Philimon. Paul is well know for being very clear on who he addressed his epistles to in every one of them, unless of course he did write Hebrews which could possibly be the one exception.

“to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬


“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:”
‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

I appreciate those Scriptures but none of them identify Gentiles as the recipients of the gospels and epistles. You're looking at this from a Gentile mindset which has been molded through years of Gentile Christians attempting to usurp the covenants and promises God gave to His Beloved apple of His eye Israel.

Let's go down biblical history road:

In Acts 2 in Jerusalem the Jews are celebrating the Feast of Trumpets. The middle wall partition has separated Jews from Gentiles for hundreds of years. There are no Gentiles at this celebration. At this feast there 17 languages and dialects represented that the apostles spoke in which were the languages of the peoples that traveled from outside Jerusalem and even from Gentile lands where these Jews were living. The twelve tribes of Israel were scattered throughout the then known world.
Peter's sermon in response to being accused of being drunk so early in the morning was addressed to the Jews at this celebration for the twelve tribes were there and heard Peter speak.
Even before Peter ended his sermon the Holy Spirit moved upon the people and Scripture says God added 3000 Jews to His Church, which was a continuation of the Church in the desert at the time of the Tabernacle. They were known as the "Great Congregation." Over 3 million Hebrews/Jews were delivered by God through Moses.

When the Feast was over these new converts to Christ became known as Jewish Christians and followers of Christ. These people returned to places like Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica, and even Rome. The had an experience with the Promised Holy Spirit and when they returned were the original holy-rollers and told their Jewish brethren what they experienced and learned from Peter's sermon to the twelve tribes at Jerusalem. When these Jewish Christians went to their synagogues on their Sabbath they shared and witnessed Christ, Israel's Messiah to their Jewish brethren. Many were saved in these Gentile cities and towns. But in time these Jewish Christians could not fellowship with their non-saved Jewish brethren because of the stumbling-block of Israel's Messiah being crucified on a cross and their Scripture saying anyone who is hung on a tree is cursed. They couldn't get past this fact and truth. So, these Jewish Christians began to separate from their Jewish brethren and began to gather in their homes and worship God and sing His praises.
The year of Jesus' ascension was 33 A.D. It is said that Saul was saved around 33-34 A.D. and that his first epistle was a circular letter to the Jewish churches in these various cities and towns. Paul's first epistle is dated around 54 A.D. For at least 21 years Jewish Christians were worshiping Jesus in their homes and other gathering locations. But they began to be persecuted by their Jewish brethren the Judaizers who held to the letter of the Law of Moses and were blinded by God to accept Jesus bar Joseph, their Messiah and Christ. When Paul was saved he said he went away for 17 years and went to Jerusalem for about three-four years.

In the time after Saul's conversion to Christ there was persecution in Jerusalem (Acts 8 ), and Jewish Christians left for safer and greener pastures. They met up in these cities with their Jewish Christian brethren and continued their fellowship. At this point there are no Gentiles in these Jewish Churches until Saul wrote these Jews letters explaining that there is neither Jew or Gentile, nor bond or free, neither male or female that Jewish Christians were one in Christ through the Abrahamic Covenant.

Because these Jewish Christians in these Gentile cities and towns were Hellenized by Greek culture Paul changed his name to Paul to better make himself receptive to these Hellenized Jews. To the Jew I will become a Jew that I may win the Jew he once wrote.
In Saul/Paul's travels he went to each city in these Gentile lands first to their synagogues and then to fellowship with Jewish Christians in their homes.

When he wrote to Jewish Christians in these various cities he wrote of Jewish issues and of their covenants, the promises, their practices, and the issue of Gentiles becoming saved and grafted into the natural branches which is Israel and guided his Jewish brethren in the effect Israel's Messiah had on Judaism, the covenants and the promises/prophecies of God to and for His people Israel.

I can say more and I'm sure I will.
But consider the truth of these paragraphs and understand that Jesus was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. He was not sent to Gentiles. Jesus is a Jewish Messiah and the fulfillment of hundreds of years of covenant and promises and prophecies of Israel's Redeemer and King. The talk of Jesus being Israel's Messiah was fresh in the peoples minds as it was in His apostles minds for they asked Him in Acts 1 if He was going to restore the kingdom to Israel. His reply was revealing.

While the Temple stood the "ism" of Judaism remained and Christianity was founded on Israel's Messiah and He was the fulfillment of the covenants and the promises God gave to His Beloved Chosen people. The early Church until the Temple was destroyed was populated by Jews and the gospels record Jewish history with Israel's Messiah and King the central focus in the plan of God's redemption of His people. The epistles/letter written were by Jewish Christians to and for other Jewish Christians in Gentile lands for in them they record the history of the Jewish people and their religion and the covenants and promises. Saul/Paul writes to Jewish Christians at Rome:

4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom. 9:4–5.

Peter, the apostle to the Jews writes to his Jewish brethren:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
2 Peter 1:4.

James, an apostle to the Jews writes to Jewish Christians:

JAMES, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James 1:1.

And on through the New Testament writings.
God ordained the oracles of God be kept and possessed by the Hebrews/Jews and being the inspired writers of the New Testament being Jewish this word is kept. The New Testament writers are Jewish and wrote to Jewish Christians in the first century addressing things pertaining to the Jew first, and also later to the Gentiles.

 

[rockytopva]

I believe the writers of the New Testament of the first congregation.... In which was Messianic...

The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; - Revelation 1:20 - Revelation 2:1

Ephesus - Messianic - Beginning with the Apostle to the Circumcision, Peter
Smyrna - Martyr - Beginning with the Apostle to the Un-Circumcision, Paul
Pergamos - Orthodoxy formed in this time... Pergos is a tower... Needed in the dark ages
Thyatira - Catholicism formed in this time - The spirit of Jezebel is to control and to dominate.
Sardis - Protestantism formed in this time- A sardius is a gem - elegant yet hard and rigid
Philadelphia - Wesleyism formed in this time - To be sanctioned is to acquire it with love.
Laodicea - Charismatic movement formed in this time - Beginning with DL Moody, the first to make money off of ministry

Candlesticks - Seven church congregations
Stars - Individuals within the congregations, all held in the right hand of Christ
Seals - The seven seals sealed each congregation within the lambs book of life
Angels - The current preacher to the congregation.

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. - Revelation 5:4

If this interpretation is not correct why all the ado? And... If you have a better interpretation please post your info! I dont mind for people to disagree with me and may end up learning a thing of two! I believe the churches came down as seven and each congregation is different in their generation!

There may be two exceptions here...

Paul - A break away from the Messianic congregation?
Luke - Was he ever Messianic?

It seems to me that the Apostle Paul and Luke ministered to an entirely Gentile congregation. In which I would call Smyrnaen, or Oriental Orthodox.

I have no problem with the Jewish congregation as the first congregation and the writers of New Testament scripture. I wonder if they will reform Messianic in this last day.

 

[son of Hilkiah]

I have no problem with the Jewish congregation as the first congregation and the writers of New Testament scripture. I wonder if they will reform Messianic in this last day.

The Hebrews/Jews/twelve tribes of Israel are under covenant with God. They are His Bride and Church ("called out [ones]") and will be taken care of.
They WILL come to accept Jesus as their Messiah.
The two Jewish prophets of Revelation are sent to Israel and once the blindness God placed on Israel proper is removed and these two witnesses herald with words and signs from the Old Testament Scripture that this Jesus was truly their long-awaited Messiah, Redeemer, and King, and with the Promised Holy Spirit moving upon their lives, will come to know the Lord and their God like never before.
What an exciting time that will be.
I would love to see Jesus with His people and angels in tow descending from above and fighting alongside Israel against His and her enemies. What a bloody and victorious day that will be.

 

[Clare73]

You misread my comment.
Stephen was Jewish. Jews were his Jewish brethren. Paul and other Judaizers killed Stephen.

The birth of the New Testament Church was founded in Jerusalem by Jews.
I did not say Greeks were Jews.
You misread me here, too.

And what is more, Jesus was a Jew.
We are in agreement on the undisputed facts.