The proclamation of the Gospel to the Jews first is a significant theme in the New Testament, reflecting the historical and theological priority given to the Jewish people in God's redemptive plan. This priority is rooted in the Abrahamic covenant and the role of Israel as God's chosen people. The Gospel's initial focus on the Jews underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the continuity of God's salvific work through Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul articulates the principle of the Gospel being preached to the Jews first in Romans 1:16: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek." This statement highlights the chronological and theological order in which the message of salvation was to be delivered, acknowledging the Jews' unique position in salvation history.

Jesus' Ministry

During His earthly ministry, Jesus Himself emphasized the priority of the Jews. In Matthew 10:5-6, when sending out the twelve apostles, He instructed them: "Do not go on the road to the Gentiles, and do not enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel." This directive reflects Jesus' initial focus on the Jewish people, fulfilling the promises made to their forefathers.

Furthermore, in Matthew 15:24, Jesus states, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel," during His encounter with the Canaanite woman. This declaration underscores His mission to the Jews, although His compassion and eventual healing of the woman's daughter also foreshadow the Gospel's extension to the Gentiles.

The Early Church

The early church continued this pattern, beginning their evangelistic efforts among the Jewish population. The Book of Acts records the apostles' activities in Jerusalem and Judea, where they preached to Jewish audiences. On the day of Pentecost, Peter addressed the crowd in Jerusalem, composed primarily of Jews and Jewish proselytes, declaring the fulfillment of prophecy and the resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:14-36).

In Acts 3:25-26, Peter further emphasizes the priority of the Jews, stating, "And you are sons of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers when He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.' When God raised up His servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

Paul's Missionary Journeys

The Apostle Paul's missionary journeys also reflect the pattern of preaching to the Jews first. In each city he visited, Paul typically began his ministry in the local synagogue, reasoning with the Jewish community from the Scriptures. Acts 13:46 records Paul's words in Pisidian Antioch: "It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles."

This approach demonstrates the initial offer of the Gospel to the Jews, consistent with God's covenantal promises, while also highlighting the eventual inclusion of the Gentiles as part of God's redemptive plan.

Theological Implications

The priority of the Jews in the preaching of the Gospel underscores the faithfulness of God to His covenant promises. It affirms the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, showing that the coming of Christ is the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. The Gospel's initial focus on the Jews also serves as a reminder of the universal scope of God's salvation, which extends to all nations through faith in Jesus Christ.Matthew 10:6
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Gospel was Preached to Jews and Gentiles in Hades.
... For God is not only Lord of the Jews, but of all ... If, then, He preached the Gospel
to those in the flesh ... did not for the same cause preach the Gospel to those ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the gospel was preached.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
... Sidenote: The Gospel preached in Antioch ... of the Sauline persecution was the preaching
of the Gospel in the ... city of Antioch by the Greek-speaking Jews who sought ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter i the foundation of.htm

Heralds of the Gospel
... in Thessalonica, in Corinth, in Ephesus, and in other important centers, Paul and
his companions in labor preached the gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 17 heralds of the.htm

Of the Harmony Between the First Three Evangelists in their ...
... Evangelists in Their Accounts of the Occasion on Which the Jews Asked the ... days, as
He taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter lxix of the harmony between.htm

Christ, Though Known to the Jews under the Law, yet Only ...
... one of his peculiar characteristics, that he preached the Gospel ... place to the preaching
of the Gospel, which is ... John himself, in answer to the Jews, says that ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 9 christ though known.htm

The Angel of the Everlasting Gospel.
... When the Jews contradicted and blasphemed, "Paul and Barnabas waxed ... writing to the
Colossians, refers to the gospel as that "which was preached to every ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the angel of the everlasting.htm

His Gospel
... Failure of the Jews. ... LEADING PECULIARITIES OF THE PAULINE GOSPEL. ... The language of
the book of Acts, where it is said that "straightway he preached Christ in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iv his gospel.htm

The Gospel of Matthew
... the following statement: "For Matthew, having first preached to the ... furnished a new
recension of his Gospel in the ... language with a view to the Jews of the ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospel of matthew.htm

The First Epistle to the Corinthians the Pauline Salutation of ...
... has to do with a formula which the Jews still use ... bring glad tidings of good, who
preach the gospel of peace ... those who believe in the folly of the preached cross ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter v the first epistle to.htm

From the Ascension to the Church at Antioch.
... of the universal aspect of Christianity, preached by Steven ... They went everywhere
preaching the gospel of the kingdom. ... something new in the history of the Jews. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xix from the ascension.htm

Why do most Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah? | GotQuestions.org

What are Khazar Jews / Khazars? | GotQuestions.org

Are Jews saved because they are God's chosen people? Will Jews go to Heaven even if they do not trust in Jesus? | GotQuestions.org

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