Biblical Context and Background

Most of the bible describes Gods interaction with the people of Israel. From Genesis 25 on the story is focused mainly on the nation of Israel. The other nations (Gentiles) are mentioned only when they are in contact with Israel. Israel was liberated from the oppression of the Egyptians as described in Exodus, and given laws at Mount Sinai which they were to obey. For their obedience they were promised a future glorious land and a future godly King who was to be the Lord Himself. For disobedience and unbelief, they would experience hardship, exile and ruin. Overall, they failed, they were disobedient and thus suffered the consequences. But they continued to hope for that glorious future in the Kingdom, even to this day.

In the beginning of the New Testament we find that the Israelites were continuing to hope for the same things: the glorious land and the Messiah to rule over them. We see that the story is very similar in character to the writings of the Old Testament in terms of the same people (Israel) in the same land, with the same hopes, laws and status over Gentiles. Jesus Christ came as the Savior of the world and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14).

Jesus Christ came into the land of Judea, announcing the gospel (evangel) of the kingdom of God. We have only to read on in these four accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, regarding our Lord’s ministry to see what answer the nation of Israel, in her calloused condition of heart, gave to His glorious message. If any people were in need of rest and hope at that time (and even yet), it was God’s chosen nation Israel. They were toiling, they were burdened, but didn’t know it. Instead of opening their hearts to the One Who alone could have taken their load and given them rest, they spurned His offer until He had to denounce the leaders of Israel as a generation of vipers (Mat. 12;34, Mat. 23;33). And most of the general population heard the message of Jesus but did not understand.

Matthew 15:24 (KJV) But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

John 1:11 (KJV) He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

Time after time, the people of Israel would hear and not believe the Holy One sent by God even though He did many wonderful works and performed many miracles.

They did not accept that this was the son of God, the Holy One. They had Him crucified. The two main missions of Jesus were to announce the kingdom of God and to die for the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Jesus did not proclaim the gospel message to other nations, only to the nation of Israel (Mat. 15:24).

Matthew 15:24 (KJV) But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Rom 15:8 (KJV) Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

This tells us that the ministry of Jesus was for the House of Israel only (the circumcision), not those outside the nation, i.e. the uncircumcision — gentiles (nations).

Just as Jesus was rejected, so were the 12 Apostles. The book of Acts records that Israel was given opportunities to repent after Christ was resurrected and ascended to heaven. The Apostles preached of the resurrection and salvation through Jesus Christ. Not only was this message largely rejected, but many despised it.

The church that was formed on the day of Pentecost was composed of the people of Israel. There were no gentiles in that throng. On that day 3000 souls were added (Acts 2:41). Many of the dispersion from other lands had come to Jerusalem during that period (Acts 2:9-11). The church grew and flourished.

Shortly thereafter Peter and John healed the lame man and about 5000 more believed. And because of the two Apostles preached of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead, the leaders of the nation were angered and threatened them, forbidding them to preach of Jesus Christ.

But the Apostles continue to preach the resurrected Christ. “And by the hands of the Apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people…” (Act 5:12). “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women” (Act 5:14). However persecution intensified.

Throughout most of the Acts period the 12 Apostles preached the Gospel of the kingdom of God. The twelve were sent to the Circumcision. The message was rejected by the majority of the Israelites including the leaders and Pharisees. They went within the land consistent with the character of the commission under which they acted. This kingdom message is specifically designated “the gospel of the Circumcision” (Gal. 2:7), because it primarily concerns the preparation of Israel, as a nation, for possessing the kingdom. Their rejection resulted in the postponement of the kingdom (the Millennium) until a future time. It was deferred.

 

Go to Kingdom of God Deferred  click here