I did want to address directly some of the above replies.

Steve, don't you think it strange that Jesus NEVER went out to teach to
the gentiles, nor did any of his disciples until seven years after he
died? If the gospel preached is faith in Jesus, why did He leave out
most of the world to say this?

I really admire a man who thinks about his faith, and tries to
understand it - because it is so rare a thing. Now, every response
from you, Steve, has been very strong until the last paragraph,
mentioning Hebrews 4:2. Your argument about the Jews recieving the
message that Jesus will die and rise again during the forty year exile
is not even close to proved by Hebrews 4:2. Very, very weak. Also, I
have way to much respect for you to be giving me answers like "the
second reason was to fulfill bible prophecy and God's special
relationship." That shows me that you don't really understand what you
are saying.....

Smilie, thanks for helping me with my point on the Samaritans! I
didn't know that about the Gadarines. And yes, the Samaritans were
partial Jews as my above post explains.

About the gentile being preached to, it's important to remember that
Jesus wanted NO GENTILE TO KNOW OF IT (Mark 7:24). Also, she wasn't
justified to Jesus through any gospel at all. She was justified
through faith, in the same way that old testament believers were. I
will go into a more thorough explanation in my next two threads. But
for now, it's enough to understand that the Gentile (the only one!)
spoken of in the gospel was justified by faith through perseverance,
not through "hearing the gospel." A further expanation is in Romans
2:5-15.

Another interesting fact is that the only time Jesus was called "Lord"
in Mark was by this woman. That is also significant.

But once again, all that to say that the question still stands. Gospel
to gentiles != true. Hehehe.....

Justin the Drewsk

From:	TheDrewsk
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Sat, 18 Dec 2004 20:55:53 GMT

Okay, since I have to reply to 3 posts, I'm going to start a new thread

From:	TheDrewsk
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Fri, 17 Dec 2004 04:10:31 GMT

Thanks for the reply!

About Acts 1:8, was Jesus commanding them, or making a prophesy? It
isn't until Acts 10 that the gentiles are preached to by the very young
church. Peter saw the only vision of the new testament, and had to see
it three times. Then when the Spirit came upon the gentiles, it
"amazed" the Jews. This was about seven years after Jesus'
resurrection. So, not until then were the gentiles included in the
biblical program. I'll get to the Samaritans in a bit....

Now, in Matthew 10:5 Jesus tells his disciples to go to "the lost sheep
of Israel." Also, he tells the disciples to not go to the Gentiles or
the Samaritans.

About your second post, that's an interesting point. Brings up another
good question. Did Jesus preach the gospel to those men? Why couldn't
the gentile join Jesus? What gospel did he take to the Jews and not
the gentiles? It couldn't have been His death and resurrection, it had
not happened, and they didn't have the holy spirit to understand it
anyway(1 Corinthians 2:14).

MOST IMPORTANTLY, the Samaritans. Who were they? Why are there 3
groups of people refered to by Jesus: Israelites, Samaritans,
Gentiles? The Samaritans were to eventually became synonymous with the
Northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 13:32, Jeremiah 31:5) after they
were conquered. When conquered by Assyria, most of the jews were
exiled, but a "remnant of Israel" remained. This led to intermarriage
of some of the tribes of Israel. The descendents of Benjamin and Judah
had split with the Northern Kingdom earlier. Don't quote me on this,
but I think the rest of the tribes became the Northern Kingdom. Now,
the Samaritans were PARTLY jewish by blood. But since they had been
given over to worship of foreign gods and disobeyed God to intermarry,
there was animosity between the true jews and the samaritans. But
Jesus rebuked the disciples for their hostility toward the Samaritans
(Luke 9:55-56) and predicted the witness to Samaritans specifically in
Acts 1:8. It seems that Jesus still considered them His people. Also,
notice that the samaritan woman at the well mentioned that she knew
Jewish prophecy about a coming Messiah. That's why she could have
heard the gospel being preached at the time, and it's also a huge hint
at the question brought up by your post.

Sooo, all that to say that the question still stands. And, the
question your post brought up. The gospel to the jews at the time was
that the kingdom of heaven (also God) is at hand. Matthew 3:2 and Mark
1:15.

The gospel preached then simply could not have been the same gospel
taught now. So what's the difference? I wonder that anyone would
touch this question!

From:	Steve Goltra
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Sat, 18 Dec 2004 01:19:29 GMT

The Drew said:

Thanks for the reply!

About Acts 1:8, was Jesus commanding them, or making a prophesy? It
isn't until Acts 10 that the gentiles are preached to by the very young
church. Peter saw the only vision of the new testament, and had to see
it three times. Then when the Spirit came upon the gentiles, it
"amazed" the Jews. This was about seven years after Jesus'
resurrection. So, not until then were the gentiles included in the
biblical program. I'll get to the Samaritans in a bit....

Steve's response:

I really think that this was a command that was not carried out by the early
Church. They were very comfortable in Jerusalem until Christ sent the
persecution. Then they were forced to leave and fulfill the command. Right
at this time period (the persecution) we have Saul of Tarsus, who meets
Jesus face to face on the Damascus road, and becomes the primary instrument
of reaching the Gentile, as prophesized in Isaiah and other books in the Old
Testament.

Drew said:
Now, in Matthew 10:5 Jesus tells his disciples to go to "the lost sheep
of Israel." Also, he tells the disciples to not go to the Gentiles or
the Samaritans.

Steve's response:

This occurred before he was rejected by the Jewish leaders, earlier on in
his ministry. In Matthew 10 he empowered his disciples with the ability to
cast out unclean spirits and to heal all types of sickness and disease and
sent them out, two by two, to the lost sheep of the Jews (not to the
Samaritans or to the Gentiles).

Drew said:

About your second post, that's an interesting point. Brings up another
good question. Did Jesus preach the gospel to those men? Why couldn't
the gentile join Jesus? What gospel did he take to the Jews and not
the gentiles? It couldn't have been His death and resurrection, it had
not happened, and they didn't have the holy spirit to understand it
anyway(1 Corinthians 2:14).

Steve's response:

The Gospel, then as well as now, is the belief and faith in God, and in His
Son, Jesus Christ the Messiah. Hebrews 4:2 reveals to us that the "Gospel"
was preached to the Jews, while they walked in the wilderness for forty
years. " 2. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but
the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them
that heard it." As far as the reason why the gentile (from Gaderene) did not
join the Jews was mainly because he was not called by Christ, as all of the
others were. The second reason was to fulfill Bible prophecy and God's
special relationship with the Jews. All of the Apostles were from the house
of Israel.

This is very interesting, Drew. I will continue later. Please respond to my
post as well.

God bless,

Steve Goltra

"TheDrewsk" wrote in message
news:X_swd.1553$RH4.1352@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Thanks for the reply!
>
> About Acts 1:8, was Jesus commanding them, or making a prophesy? It
> isn't until Acts 10 that the gentiles are preached to by the very young
> church. Peter saw the only vision of the new testament, and had to see
> it three times. Then when the Spirit came upon the gentiles, it
> "amazed" the Jews. This was about seven years after Jesus'
> resurrection. So, not until then were the gentiles included in the
> biblical program. I'll get to the Samaritans in a bit....
>
> Now, in Matthew 10:5 Jesus tells his disciples to go to "the lost sheep
> of Israel." Also, he tells the disciples to not go to the Gentiles or
> the Samaritans.
>
> About your second post, that's an interesting point. Brings up another
> good question. Did Jesus preach the gospel to those men? Why couldn't
> the gentile join Jesus? What gospel did he take to the Jews and not
> the gentiles? It couldn't have been His death and resurrection, it had
> not happened, and they didn't have the holy spirit to understand it
> anyway(1 Corinthians 2:14).
>
> MOST IMPORTANTLY, the Samaritans. Who were they? Why are there 3
> groups of people refered to by Jesus: Israelites, Samaritans,
> Gentiles? The Samaritans were to eventually became synonymous with the
> Northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 13:32, Jeremiah 31:5) after they
> were conquered. When conquered by Assyria, most of the jews were
> exiled, but a "remnant of Israel" remained. This led to intermarriage
> of some of the tribes of Israel. The descendents of Benjamin and Judah
> had split with the Northern Kingdom earlier. Don't quote me on this,
> but I think the rest of the tribes became the Northern Kingdom. Now,
> the Samaritans were PARTLY jewish by blood. But since they had been
> given over to worship of foreign gods and disobeyed God to intermarry,
> there was animosity between the true jews and the samaritans. But
> Jesus rebuked the disciples for their hostility toward the Samaritans
> (Luke 9:55-56) and predicted the witness to Samaritans specifically in
> Acts 1:8. It seems that Jesus still considered them His people. Also,
> notice that the samaritan woman at the well mentioned that she knew
> Jewish prophecy about a coming Messiah. That's why she could have
> heard the gospel being preached at the time, and it's also a huge hint
> at the question brought up by your post.
>
> Sooo, all that to say that the question still stands. And, the
> question your post brought up. The gospel to the jews at the time was
> that the kingdom of heaven (also God) is at hand. Matthew 3:2 and Mark
> 1:15.
>
> The gospel preached then simply could not have been the same gospel
> taught now. So what's the difference? I wonder that anyone would
> touch this question!
>
>

From:	Steve Goltra
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Thu, 16 Dec 2004 15:42:34 GMT

I have been thinking of other examples in Jesus' ministry where he witnessed
to the gentiles, Himself. One of those times was when He went to the
Gaderenes- a godless place where He went and cast the demons out of two men.
He didn't have to stop at this God forsaken place, but He did so to heal two
men,as if He was on a mission. One of them who was delivered of the demons
went his own way, while the other man wanted to join Him as a Disciple, but
Jesus told him to stay there and witness to his friends at Gaderene. See
Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-19; Luke 8:26-39.

God bless,

Steve Goltra

wrote in message
news:x84wd.374$RH4.146@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles? Also, he even told his
> disciples not to do so.
>
>

From:	Smilie
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Sat, 18 Dec 2004 15:06:14 GMT

Im not sure that the Gaderenes were not Jews. They were living on the sea of
Galilee remember. Its possible they WERE jews.... that then explains why the
pigs died. Pigs were an unclean animal under the law so their destruction in
this manner would have terrified them if they were Jews.

One definate time he preached to a gentile was mark 7:26-30. The women's
daughter was healed because Christ saw her as a faithful servant of God.

--
Love makes God make the world go round!
:)
Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon

"Steve Goltra" wrote in message
news:K1iwd.1065$9j5.257@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>I have been thinking of other examples in Jesus' ministry where he
>witnessed to the gentiles, Himself. One of those times was when He went to
>the Gaderenes- a godless place where He went and cast the demons out of two
>men. He didn't have to stop at this God forsaken place, but He did so to
>heal two men,as if He was on a mission. One of them who was delivered of
>the demons went his own way, while the other man wanted to join Him as a
>Disciple, but Jesus told him to stay there and witness to his friends at
>Gaderene. See Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-19; Luke 8:26-39.
>
>
>
> God bless,
>
>
>
> Steve Goltra
>
>
>
> wrote in message
> news:x84wd.374$RH4.146@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>
>> Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles? Also, he even told his
>> disciples not to do so.
>>
>>
>
>

From:	Steve Goltra
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Sat, 18 Dec 2004 20:53:42 GMT

Dear Smilie:
I am quite sure that they were not Jews because they actually kept pigs. In
this story, reference is made to a "herd" of pigs. Pigs were forbidden by
Jewish law as food to the Jews. I don't know if you have ever visited a pig
farm- it really smells, and stinks for miles around. I surely can't think of
any reason why anyone would just keep pigs as pets, especially the jews who
saw them as unclean. The only real reason to raise pigs is to either eat
them yourself, or raise them to sell to others. The Jews would not do this,
as they were under the law and pigs were unclean.

Also, the Gaderenes were scared to death of Jesus Christ and the power He
had over the demons. They wanted Him out of their land. They hardly seem
like Jews to me. I have checked various Bible Dictionaries, and can find no
specifics about their ethnicity. If anyone else knows more information about
the Gaderenes, please post it on this thread.

God bless,

Steve

"Smilie" wrote in message
news:GHXwd.2664$RH4.147@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Im not sure that the Gaderenes were not Jews. They were living on the sea
> of Galilee remember. Its possible they WERE jews.... that then explains
> why the pigs died. Pigs were an unclean animal under the law so their
> destruction in this manner would have terrified them if they were Jews.
>
> One definate time he preached to a gentile was mark 7:26-30. The women's
> daughter was healed because Christ saw her as a faithful servant of God.
>
> --
> Love makes God make the world go round!
> :)
> Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon
>
>
> "Steve Goltra" wrote in message
> news:K1iwd.1065$9j5.257@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>I have been thinking of other examples in Jesus' ministry where he
>>witnessed to the gentiles, Himself. One of those times was when He went to
>>the Gaderenes- a godless place where He went and cast the demons out of
>>two men. He didn't have to stop at this God forsaken place, but He did so
>>to heal two men,as if He was on a mission. One of them who was delivered
>>of the demons went his own way, while the other man wanted to join Him as
>>a Disciple, but Jesus told him to stay there and witness to his friends at
>>Gaderene. See Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-19; Luke 8:26-39.
>>
>>
>>
>> God bless,
>>
>>
>>
>> Steve Goltra
>>
>>
>>
>> wrote in message
>> news:x84wd.374$RH4.146@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>>
>>> Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles? Also, he even told his
>>> disciples not to do so.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

From:	Smilie
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Sun, 19 Dec 2004 14:39:30 GMT

Dear Steve
Keep the possibility open though.
If they were non-practicing Jews then they would see a righteous man with
the power to obliterate the whole community and the proof of their sin
before him. A scary thought to any.
If they were gentiles, wouldnt they ask who Jesus was, his God and his
message? No, they just begged him to leave.

We cant prove it or anything but it would put a different light on the whole
thing.

--
Love makes God make the world go round!
:)
Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon

"Steve Goltra" wrote in message
news:qN0xd.2792$9j5.335@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Dear Smilie:
> I am quite sure that they were not Jews because they actually kept pigs.
> In this story, reference is made to a "herd" of pigs. Pigs were forbidden
> by Jewish law as food to the Jews. I don't know if you have ever visited a
> pig farm- it really smells, and stinks for miles around. I surely can't
> think of any reason why anyone would just keep pigs as pets, especially
> the jews who saw them as unclean. The only real reason to raise pigs is to
> either eat them yourself, or raise them to sell to others. The Jews would
> not do this, as they were under the law and pigs were unclean.
>
> Also, the Gaderenes were scared to death of Jesus Christ and the power He
> had over the demons. They wanted Him out of their land. They hardly seem
> like Jews to me. I have checked various Bible Dictionaries, and can find
> no specifics about their ethnicity. If anyone else knows more information
> about the Gaderenes, please post it on this thread.
>
> God bless,
>
> Steve
>
>
> "Smilie" wrote in message
> news:GHXwd.2664$RH4.147@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> Im not sure that the Gaderenes were not Jews. They were living on the sea
>> of Galilee remember. Its possible they WERE jews.... that then explains
>> why the pigs died. Pigs were an unclean animal under the law so their
>> destruction in this manner would have terrified them if they were Jews.
>>
>> One definate time he preached to a gentile was mark 7:26-30. The women's
>> daughter was healed because Christ saw her as a faithful servant of God.
>>
>> --
>> Love makes God make the world go round!
>> :)
>> Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon
>>
>>
>> "Steve Goltra" wrote in message
>> news:K1iwd.1065$9j5.257@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>>I have been thinking of other examples in Jesus' ministry where he
>>>witnessed to the gentiles, Himself. One of those times was when He went
>>>to the Gaderenes- a godless place where He went and cast the demons out
>>>of two men. He didn't have to stop at this God forsaken place, but He did
>>>so to heal two men,as if He was on a mission. One of them who was
>>>delivered of the demons went his own way, while the other man wanted to
>>>join Him as a Disciple, but Jesus told him to stay there and witness to
>>>his friends at Gaderene. See Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-19; Luke 8:26-39.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> God bless,
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Steve Goltra
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> wrote in message
>>> news:x84wd.374$RH4.146@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>>>
>>>> Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles? Also, he even told his
>>>> disciples not to do so.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

From:	Steve Goltra
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Mon, 20 Dec 2004 23:47:48 GMT

Dear Smilie: I agree that we do have to keep the possibility open since it
is not clear from God's word who they were. We will find out in Heaven
together!

God bless,

Steve Goltra

"Smilie" wrote in message
news:Cogxd.4336$RH4.3074@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Dear Steve
> Keep the possibility open though.
> If they were non-practicing Jews then they would see a righteous man with
> the power to obliterate the whole community and the proof of their sin
> before him. A scary thought to any.
> If they were gentiles, wouldnt they ask who Jesus was, his God and his
> message? No, they just begged him to leave.
>
> We cant prove it or anything but it would put a different light on the
> whole thing.
>
> --
> Love makes God make the world go round!
> :)
> Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon
>
>
> "Steve Goltra" wrote in message
> news:qN0xd.2792$9j5.335@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> Dear Smilie:
>> I am quite sure that they were not Jews because they actually kept pigs.
>> In this story, reference is made to a "herd" of pigs. Pigs were forbidden
>> by Jewish law as food to the Jews. I don't know if you have ever visited
>> a pig farm- it really smells, and stinks for miles around. I surely can't
>> think of any reason why anyone would just keep pigs as pets, especially
>> the jews who saw them as unclean. The only real reason to raise pigs is
>> to either eat them yourself, or raise them to sell to others. The Jews
>> would not do this, as they were under the law and pigs were unclean.
>>
>> Also, the Gaderenes were scared to death of Jesus Christ and the power He
>> had over the demons. They wanted Him out of their land. They hardly seem
>> like Jews to me. I have checked various Bible Dictionaries, and can find
>> no specifics about their ethnicity. If anyone else knows more information
>> about the Gaderenes, please post it on this thread.
>>
>> God bless,
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>> "Smilie" wrote in message
>> news:GHXwd.2664$RH4.147@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>> Im not sure that the Gaderenes were not Jews. They were living on the
>>> sea of Galilee remember. Its possible they WERE jews.... that then
>>> explains why the pigs died. Pigs were an unclean animal under the law so
>>> their destruction in this manner would have terrified them if they were
>>> Jews.
>>>
>>> One definate time he preached to a gentile was mark 7:26-30. The women's
>>> daughter was healed because Christ saw her as a faithful servant of God.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Love makes God make the world go round!
>>> :)
>>> Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon
>>>
>>>
>>> "Steve Goltra" wrote in message
>>> news:K1iwd.1065$9j5.257@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>>>I have been thinking of other examples in Jesus' ministry where he
>>>>witnessed to the gentiles, Himself. One of those times was when He went
>>>>to the Gaderenes- a godless place where He went and cast the demons out
>>>>of two men. He didn't have to stop at this God forsaken place, but He
>>>>did so to heal two men,as if He was on a mission. One of them who was
>>>>delivered of the demons went his own way, while the other man wanted to
>>>>join Him as a Disciple, but Jesus told him to stay there and witness to
>>>>his friends at Gaderene. See Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-19; Luke 8:26-39.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> God bless,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Steve Goltra
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> wrote in message
>>>> news:x84wd.374$RH4.146@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>>>>
>>>>> Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles? Also, he even told his
>>>>> disciples not to do so.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

From:	Steve Goltra
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Thu, 16 Dec 2004 15:42:03 GMT

Somehow, without checking it out, I remember Christ telling the Gospel to
the Samaritan woman at the well. He spent time with her and revealed that He
was the Messiah. His Disciples were surprised when they came back and found
Him at the well (even talking with her)- See John 4:1-30.

In Acts 1:8 Christ orders His disciples to go out and preach the Gospel
throughout the world. Acts 1:8 spells it out:
"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 Judaea,
and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

The Samaratians were considered dogs by the Jews. The Jews had "no dealings
with the Samaritans" (John 4:9; compare to Luke 9:52, 53). Our Lord was in
contempt called "a Samaritan" (John 8:48).

It is not very likely that Christ sent His disciples out to witness to the
lost, in every country in the world, and expect them to witness to Jews
only.

At what part of His ministry did He tell the disciples not to witness to the
gentiles? Where can we find this in His Word?

God bless,

Steve

wrote in message
news:x84wd.374$RH4.146@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles? Also, he even told his
> disciples not to do so.
>
>

From:	Smilie
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Sat, 18 Dec 2004 15:06:19 GMT

Just a point on the Samaritan women in john.

John 4 20-22:
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is
the place where men ought to worship.
Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall
neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of
the Jews.

See the reprimand? The samaritans SHOULD have gone to Jerusalem to worship.
This became irrelevant after his crusifiction of course.
josh 22:9-31 Is on the same topic. The tribes on the other side of the
Jordan could see problems with going to Jerusalem to worship so they built
an alter to God on the other side. Their intentions were good and that saved
them from destruction by their brethren but it was definate: Worship in
Jerusalem.

I had heard also that the samaritans were the remnant from an exile that had
been returned. Partial Jews.

--
Love makes God make the world go round!
:)
Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon

"Steve Goltra" wrote in message
news:f1iwd.1064$9j5.777@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Somehow, without checking it out, I remember Christ telling the Gospel to
> the Samaritan woman at the well. He spent time with her and revealed that
> He was the Messiah. His Disciples were surprised when they came back and
> found Him at the well (even talking with her)- See John 4:1-30.
>
> In Acts 1:8 Christ orders His disciples to go out and preach the Gospel
> throughout the world. Acts 1:8 spells it out:
> "8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
> you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
> Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
>
> The Samaratians were considered dogs by the Jews. The Jews had "no
> dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9; compare to Luke 9:52, 53). Our
> Lord was in contempt called "a Samaritan" (John 8:48).
>
> It is not very likely that Christ sent His disciples out to witness to the
> lost, in every country in the world, and expect them to witness to Jews
> only.
>
> At what part of His ministry did He tell the disciples not to witness to
> the gentiles? Where can we find this in His Word?
>
>
> God bless,
>
>
>
> Steve
>
>
> wrote in message
> news:x84wd.374$RH4.146@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>>
>> Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles? Also, he even told his
>> disciples not to do so.
>>
>>
>
>

From:	Steve Goltra
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Sat, 18 Dec 2004 20:55:44 GMT

Thank you for your reply, Smilie

It seems to me that Christ made a special stop at this well, for a
pre-planned meeting with this "woman at the well", in Samaria, a place that
the Jews hated (they hated the Samaritans). He sent all of His disciples
away and was waiting for her to arrive. As they start to talk, He is telling
the woman at the well that Salvation is coming from the Jews who worship at
the Temple in Jerusalem. The Samaritan woman replies that they worship on
this mountain ("Shechem", in Samaria). The reason for this is that the Jews
would not allow them to worship at Jerusalem, so they built their own temple
on their own mountain and did their best to follow Jewish law.

This is what the Easton's Bible Dictionary has to say about the Samaritans:

"The name given to the new and mixed inhabitants whom Esarhaddon (B.C. 677),
the king of Assyria, brought from Babylon and other places and settled in
the cities of Samaria, instead of the original inhabitants whom Sargon (B.C.
721) had removed into captivity (2 Kings 17:24; comp. Ezra 4:2, 9, 10).
These strangers (comp. Luke 17:18) amalgamated with the Jews still remaining
in the land, and gradually abandoned their old idolatry and adopted partly
the Jewish religion.After the return from the Captivity, the Jews in
Jerusalem refused to allow them (Samaritans) to take part with them in
rebuilding the temple, and hence sprang up an open enmity between them. They
erected a rival temple on Mount Gerizim, which was, however, destroyed by a
Jewish king (B.C. 130). They then built another at Shechem. The bitter
enmity between the Jews and Samaritans continued in the time of our Lord:
the Jews had "no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9; comp. Luke 9:52,
53). Our Lord was in contempt called "a Samaritan" (John 8:48). Many of the
Samaritans early embraced the gospel (John 4:5-42; Acts 8:25; 9:31; 15:3).

Of these Samaritans there still remains a small population of about one
hundred and sixty, who all reside in Shechem, where they carefully observe
the religious customs of their fathers. They are the "smallest and oldest
sect in the world.""

The woman said to Jesus: 19. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that
thou art a prophet. 20. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye
say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Christ then said: " 21. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour
cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem,
worship the Father.

22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is
of the Jews. 23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers
shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such
to worship him.

24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit
and in truth

The woman then said: " 25. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias
cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all
things."

Then Christ revealed Himself to her, because of her BELIEF in Him: "26.
Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."

Above, before the woman's final statement (saying the Messiah would soon
come and reveal all things)- Christ, knowing her heart before she even made
one statement, revealed to her what worship is really all about. This type
of worship could only take place after He would fulfill all the requirements
of the Law for sin, and had become the living sacrifice for the sins of all
mankind.

Worship for us today, ever since Christ's death on the Cross and the
Resurrection from the dead, is really all about: " But the hour cometh, and
now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in
truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.God is a Spirit: and they
that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth"

I would be willing to bet that when we get to heaven we will have the
opportunity to meet the "Woman at the Well". I am looking forward to it.

God bless,

Steve Goltra

"Smilie" wrote in message
news:LHXwd.2665$RH4.2111@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Just a point on the Samaritan women in john.
>
> John 4 20-22:
> Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is
> the place where men ought to worship.
> Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall
> neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
> Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of
> the Jews.
>
> See the reprimand? The samaritans SHOULD have gone to Jerusalem to
> worship. This became irrelevant after his crusifiction of course.
> josh 22:9-31 Is on the same topic. The tribes on the other side of the
> Jordan could see problems with going to Jerusalem to worship so they built
> an alter to God on the other side. Their intentions were good and that
> saved them from destruction by their brethren but it was definate: Worship
> in Jerusalem.
>
> I had heard also that the samaritans were the remnant from an exile that
> had been returned. Partial Jews.
>
>
> --
> Love makes God make the world go round!
> :)
> Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon
>
>

From:	Smilie
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Sun, 19 Dec 2004 14:39:01 GMT

Yeah! I completely agree Steve!
Christ it seemed went to Shechem for a purpose. Most likely to teach the
samaritans.
If Christ went to teach to them, then he acknowledged them as seekers of
God.

I want to see her too... and give her a lovely big hug (im going to be doing
ALOT of hugging in the future :P)... but probably not in heaven. Christ is
coming back to earth to claim his kingdom! We are going to be servants of
our Lord in that kingdom and so we will be on earth too! After a thousand
years of this reign, all people will either be dead or immortal angels and
then Jesus will turn all things back over to The Father. (1 corinthians
15:27, rev 21:4). Oh, we will be able to go to heaven during those 1000yrs
but the work for us to do will be on earth. We are promised the earth Rev
5:10.

--
Love makes God make the world go round!
:)
Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon

"Steve Goltra" wrote in message
news:kP0xd.2799$9j5.1436@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Thank you for your reply, Smilie
>
>
>
> It seems to me that Christ made a special stop at this well, for a
> pre-planned meeting with this "woman at the well", in Samaria, a place
> that the Jews hated (they hated the Samaritans). He sent all of His
> disciples away and was waiting for her to arrive. As they start to talk,
> He is telling the woman at the well that Salvation is coming from the Jews
> who worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. The Samaritan woman replies that
> they worship on this mountain ("Shechem", in Samaria). The reason for this
> is that the Jews would not allow them to worship at Jerusalem, so they
> built their own temple on their own mountain and did their best to follow
> Jewish law.
>
>
>
> This is what the Easton's Bible Dictionary has to say about the
> Samaritans:
>
>
>
> "The name given to the new and mixed inhabitants whom Esarhaddon (B.C.
> 677), the king of Assyria, brought from Babylon and other places and
> settled in the cities of Samaria, instead of the original inhabitants whom
> Sargon (B.C. 721) had removed into captivity (2 Kings 17:24; comp. Ezra
> 4:2, 9, 10). These strangers (comp. Luke 17:18) amalgamated with the Jews
> still remaining in the land, and gradually abandoned their old idolatry
> and adopted partly the Jewish religion.After the return from the
> Captivity, the Jews in Jerusalem refused to allow them (Samaritans) to
> take part with them in rebuilding the temple, and hence sprang up an open
> enmity between them. They erected a rival temple on Mount Gerizim, which
> was, however, destroyed by a Jewish king (B.C. 130). They then built
> another at Shechem. The bitter enmity between the Jews and Samaritans
> continued in the time of our Lord: the Jews had "no dealings with the
> Samaritans" (John 4:9; comp. Luke 9:52, 53). Our Lord was in contempt
> called "a Samaritan" (John 8:48). Many of the Samaritans early embraced
> the gospel (John 4:5-42; Acts 8:25; 9:31; 15:3).
>
> Of these Samaritans there still remains a small population of about one
> hundred and sixty, who all reside in Shechem, where they carefully observe
> the religious customs of their fathers. They are the "smallest and oldest
> sect in the world.""
>
>
>
> The woman said to Jesus: 19. The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive
> that thou art a prophet. 20. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and
> ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.
>
>
>
> Christ then said: " 21. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour
> cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem,
> worship the Father.
>
> 22. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation
> is of the Jews. 23. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true
> worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the
> Father seeketh such to worship him.
>
> 24. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit
> and in truth
>
>
>
> The woman then said: " 25. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias
> cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all
> things."
>
>
>
> Then Christ revealed Himself to her, because of her BELIEF in Him: "26.
> Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he."
>
>
>
> Above, before the woman's final statement (saying the Messiah would soon
> come and reveal all things)- Christ, knowing her heart before she even
> made one statement, revealed to her what worship is really all about. This
> type of worship could only take place after He would fulfill all the
> requirements of the Law for sin, and had become the living sacrifice for
> the sins of all mankind.
>
>
>
> Worship for us today, ever since Christ's death on the Cross and the
> Resurrection from the dead, is really all about: " But the hour cometh,
> and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit
> and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.God is a Spirit:
> and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth"
>
>
>
> I would be willing to bet that when we get to heaven we will have the
> opportunity to meet the "Woman at the Well". I am looking forward to it.
>
>
>
> God bless,
>
>
>
> Steve Goltra
>
>
>
>
>
> "Smilie" wrote in message
> news:LHXwd.2665$RH4.2111@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> Just a point on the Samaritan women in john.
>>
>> John 4 20-22:
>> Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is
>> the place where men ought to worship.
>> Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall
>> neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
>> Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of
>> the Jews.
>>
>> See the reprimand? The samaritans SHOULD have gone to Jerusalem to
>> worship. This became irrelevant after his crusifiction of course.
>> josh 22:9-31 Is on the same topic. The tribes on the other side of the
>> Jordan could see problems with going to Jerusalem to worship so they
>> built an alter to God on the other side. Their intentions were good and
>> that saved them from destruction by their brethren but it was definate:
>> Worship in Jerusalem.
>>
>> I had heard also that the samaritans were the remnant from an exile that
>> had been returned. Partial Jews.
>>
>>
>> --
>> Love makes God make the world go round!
>> :)
>> Luv Matthew (Smilie) Lyon
>>
>>
>
>

From:	Steve Goltra
Subject:	Re: Why did Jesus never preach to the gentiles?
Date:	Tue, 21 Dec 2004 05:34:28 GMT

Dear Smilie: I agree with you, God has promised us that we will rule on
earth with Him (during the millennium). He has also promised us a New Heaven
and a New Earth, without a sea and He will wipe away our every tear (Rev
21). I look forward to the day of the resurrection, when I will be like
Christ! The things that he must have in store for us are too wonderful to
even imagine!

One thing you said that I would like to discuss further. You stated: "After
a thousand years of this reign, all people will either be dead or IMMORTAL
ANGELS "

Scripture tells us that these ever-living beings (Angels) were created by
God to serve as ministers to us, the heirs of God's salvation. Hebrews 1:14
says: "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them
who shall be heirs of salvation?"
Angels are created beings, created eons ago. We are mankind, created by God,
and then generated through reproduction. Angels do not reproduce. There
number is static. Satan took 1/3 of them with him when he rebelled, but
God's word reveals to us that there are still un-numbered multitudes of
angels that are still in heaven, serving God and ministering to us.

Gods word tells us we will be less, like the Angels, but we will not be
Angels. Angels are created beings and have a special role to play in God's
Kingdom. The Catholic Church has added to this confusion.
Matt 22:29-30" 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not
knowing the
scriptures, nor the power of God. 30. For in the resurrection they neither
marry, nor are given in marriage,
but are AS THE ANGELS OF GOD in heaven."

Christ is the Firstfruits of the Resurrection. Christ resurrected from the
dead on the 17th day of the month of Abib, on the day of Firstfruits
(Leviticus 23:4-23 goes into detail about this feast [Firstfruits] as well
as the Passover on the 14th, the feast of unleavened bread on the 15th-21st,
Pentecost (50 days after firstfruits), etc. Jesus satisfied all of these
feasts at His death and resurrection from the dead.

This is another description of the Rapture and the receipt of our new
resurrected bodies:1 Cor 15:20-23
20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of
them that slept. 21. For since by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the
dead. 22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
alive. 23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits;
afterward they
that are Christ's at his coming.

We believers are the firstfruits of the Spirit, that will receive our new
resurrected bodies when he comes to get us at the rapture, as described
above, and we will be like Him! The rapture takes place before the
Tribulation and the "Day of the Lord"

Romans 8:23-25 "23. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the
firstfruits of
the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24. For we are saved by hope:
but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet
hope for?25. But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience
wait for it.

When we receive our new resurrected bodies, we will be like Him!
James 1:18 "18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that
we should be
a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."

When we receive our new resurrected bodies, we will have a body like
Christ's, one of flesh and bones (not flesh and blood), and will be able to
eat food, and pass through walls, and ascend and descend to heaven, as well
as many other things that will be revealed to us when it happens, when we
are resurrected.

Luke 24:39-43" 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. 40. And when he
had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. 41. And while they
yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto
them, Have ye here any meat? 42. And they gave him a piece of a broiled
fish, and of an honeycomb. 43. And he took it, and did eat before them."

This is another description of the Rapture and the receipt of our new
resurrected bodies:1 Cor 15:52-57 "52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an
eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we
shall be changed. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and
this mortal must
put on immortality. 54. So when this corruptible shall have put on
incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the
saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.55. O death, where
is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56. The sting of death is sin;
and the strength of sin is the law. 57. But thanks be to God, which giveth
us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This passage describes what will happen when Christ comes back to redeem us
to Himself. We will be perfect like Him in all ways!
1 Cor. 13:9-12 "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10. But when
that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done
away. 11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child,
I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I now in
part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Well Smilie, that is about it. Please respond to all of this.

Thank you and God bless,

Steve Goltra

"Smilie" wrote in message
news:9ogxd.4335$RH4.1438@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Yeah! I completely agree Steve!
> Christ it seemed went to Shechem for a purpose. Most likely to teach the
> samaritans.
> If Christ went to teach to them, then he acknowledged them as seekers of
> God.