Sunday, 22 November 2015

Jewish Evangelism - Part One

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Here's part one of two blogposts I wrote this summer that I wanted to share with you ...

Is there a biblical priority for Jewish Evangelism? I think there is. I believe the biblical pattern for the Great Commission is set in Romans 1:16 and 11:11. All Scripture is to be weighed in light of other texts. One would be surprised to know where the greatest resistance to this comes from.

Apart from these few texts, however, there is a strong biblical pattern for bringing the gospel to the Jew first (I'd love to explain why I believe Romans 1:16 still has contemporary application). We see it in Jesus' personal pattern first. Second, we see it in the fact that Jesus passed on this pattern. We also see that Paul personally followed this pattern even though he was called primarily to the Gentiles. Finally, we see it in God's passion in Scripture.

Again, this is not because the Jewish people are better or more important than other people groups, but they are more strategic in God's plan for world redemption.

One might ask, "Isn't there something different about today though?" Yes. What is different about today is that God has joined the Church to Israel's saved remnant so that there's a real partnership of Jew and Gentile in fulfilling Israel's original irrevocable calling to be a blessing to the world. That's what's different, but the original goal of Israel being the instrument of blessing has not changed, its just been reinforced with the Church.

Don't forget to come back tomorrow for part two!