Why “To the Jew First”?

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Dr. Mike Stallard, Friends of Israel

Introduction: The Basic Passages

            Romans 1:14-17

• Paul says he is a DEBTOR (v. 14-15
• The  GOSPEL is the power of God (v. 16)
• “Everyone who believes” means ­________________ (v. 16)
• For the Jew ­­­FIRST  and also for the Greek (v. 16)
• The just shall live by FAITH  (v. 17)

Romans 2:9-11

• Punishment of evil – of the Jew ­­­FIRST (v. 9)
• Rewards for good – to the Jew FIRST (v. 10)
• There is no PARTIALITY with God (v. 11)

Acts 3:26

Debate Over the Meaning of “to or for the Jew first” – what does “first” mean?

            Three Views:

1. Chronologically – “first in time”
2. Priority – “first in priority, status, eminence”
3. Both ideas merge together
4. Chronologically – First in Time

Gen 10 to Gen 12 to Exodus – the start of the nation of __________

The OLD TESTAMENT comes before NEW TESTAMENT

• ROMANS 9:1-5
• PAUL’S HEART FOR HIS PEOPLE (V. 1-3)
• COVENANTS – HERITAGE OF THE FATHERS
• PROMISES – In Christ
• WHAT PERTAINS TO THE ISRAELITE’S (V.4-5)
• The ­­­________________
• The ­­­_________________
• The ­­­_________________
• The ­­­_________________
• The ­­­_________________
• The ­­­_________________
• The ­­­_________________ of the fathers
• The ­­­_________________

Other Evidence of the Israelite’s/Jews Being First Chronologically

• JESUS came to Israel first (Matt. 10:6; Rom. 15:7-8)
• Jesus’ ministry began in Galilee  (Acts 10:37)
• Jesus taught that salvation is of the Jews  (John 4:22)
• The spread of the gospel began in Israel (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8)
• Gentiles were strangers from the promise (Ep. 2:11-13)

The Chosen People (Jews) have inherited a land and are the ROYAL FAMILY of the human race.

The emphasis on universal availability in Romans 1:14-17 & 2:9-11 seems to suggest the chronological view.

Priority – First in priority, status, eminence

• Perhaps this idea can be supported conceptually in the Bible
• The Promises & Covenants  still hold true for Israel (Romans 9:1-5, Gen. 12, Deut.29, 2 Sam. 7, Jer. 31)
• Romans 11:11-15 – Israel still seems to occupy  Center Stage  in some respects
• Paul’s missionary  PRACTICE
• Acts 13:46 (SEE PREV. V 42-44)
• Acts 17:2, 17
• Acts 18:4, 19
• Acts 19:8
• SHOULD WE REPEAT EVERYTHING FORM THE APOSTOLIC AGE?

Both chronologically and priority

• The evidence cited above seems to suggest a belief in  BOTH views even if the basic passages (Rom.1:16, 2:9-10) are emphasizing CHRONOLOGY
• Francis Schaeffer: “Jews should not be LAST  OR IGNORED.”

Conclusion:What does all of this mean for the ministry of a local church in its geographical area?

What does all of this mean for the ministry of a local church globally?

What does this mean for missionary budgets?