The disciples of Christ Jesus did what they were trained to do, which is to primarily minister to Israel. Jesus Himself called Gentiles "dogs," and for good reason:
Ephesians 2:11-13
11 Wherefore remember, that ye [Gentiles] being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Verse 13 is the key to the mystery revealed (the body of Christ) only to Paul at first, not to the eleven, is yet again something that so many miss because of their failure to rightly divide the word of truth. Before the fall of Israel, Gentiles had only the priesthood of Israel through which they could enter to be in Christ. The reformed gang can't see the forest for the trees, along with the RCC and many other groupings and denominations.
The lack of discernment on the part of many is amazing. Failure for so many to grapple with such things as this parable is what feeds the fires that burn away understanding:
Luke 13:6-9
6 He spake also this parable; A certain man (Messiah) had a fig tree (Israel) planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit (faith) thereon, and found none.
7 Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years (hint, hint) I come seeking fruit on this fig tree (Israel), and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
8 And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9 And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down (Stephen's stoning).
(Parentheses entries above and below are mine.)
The nay-sayers out there have demanded that this parallel isn't correct, and yet they have no other parallel to place along-side this parable recorded in Luke's gospel. It speaks volumes to the fall of Israel:
Romans 11:11-13
11 I say then, Have they stumbled (Israel) that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them (Israel) to jealousy.
12 Now if the fall of them (Israel) be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness (restoration)?
13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
This is so very overlooked by the LoS and other groupings of blind and indifferent claimants to following Christ Jesus. Notice in verse 13 where Paul declared that HE is the apostle to the Gentiles. Throughout the four gospels, we have to recognize this command from Christ to them at that time:
Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
It was only to bloodline Israel they were commanded to go at that time, and to the scattered twelve tribes abroad. James remained true to that command after the ascension of Christ:
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
James was not writing to the Gentiles because he was not the apostle to the Gentiles.
So, sticking today to what was written TO us under the Gospel of Grace, we can indeed reverence the truths written TO Israel, but when we try to integrate the two sets of instructions into one, there results only confusion and inconsistencies.
Gentiles were never "scattered abroad," because that's where they lived...
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