| When Jesus was on earth, He said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Later through Paul, He explains, "At that time ye (Gentiles )were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without Christ in the world: but now ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ... |
(Four Gospels and Early Acts) | (Paul's Epistles and Mid-Acts) |
| King of Israel John 1:49 | Head of the Body Col 1:18 |
| Israel's future on earth Is 11:4-9; Jer 23:5,6; Rev 5:20 | Future in heaven Cor 5:l; Eph 2:6 |
| Prophesied Acts 3:21,24; Lk 1:67-75&24:27,44 | Kept secret Rom 16:25; Eph 3:1-5 |
| Israel, special nation of priests Ex 19:5,6; I Pet 2:9 | Jew & Gentile no different Gal 3:28 |
| Law of Moses Mat 19:17; Lk 2:22-24; Heb 8:10-12 3 | Law abolished Eph 2:15; Gal 3:24,25 |
| Miracles promised Ex 34:10; Mark 16:17,18 | No visible miracles II Cor 4:18 |
| Baptisms Mat 3:11&20:22; Acts 1:5&2:38 | One baptism r 12:13; Eph 4:5 |
| Prayer promises Mat 21:22; John 14:12-14 | Prayer peace Phil 4:6,7; Rom 8:26 |
| Declaration: The Law and the Prophets (coming wrath) Matt. 5:17,18 | Declaration: Grace and Peace Phil 1:2 |
| Gave Himself a ransom for the sins of His people Matt 20:28; Luke 1:68,77 | Gave Himself a ransom for the sins of the world I Tim 2:5,6 |
| Seated at the right hand of the Father until His enemies are made His footstool Acts 2:34-36 | Seated at the right hand of the father in a position of exaltation over all things to the Church Eph 1:20-23 |
| Called 12 Apostles on the earth Matt 4:18-22; 10:1-5 | Called one Apostle (Paul) from heaven Acts 9:1-4; 26:13,19 |
| Christ commands the 12 Apostles to confine their ministry to Israel Matt 10:5,6 | Christ appoints Paul the Apostle of the Gentiles Rom. 11:13 |
| Instructs the 12 to carry out the Great Commission Mark 16:14-18 | Instructs us to carry out the Commission of Reconciliation II Cor. 5:18,19 |
| Gospel of the Kingdom proclaimed Mark 1:14,15 | Gospel of the grace of God proclaimed Acts 20:24 |
| Terms of salvation: Repent, believe on His name, submit to water baptism Mark 1:15; 16:16; John 3:16; 20:31 | Terms of salvation: Believe Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again Acts 16:31; I Cor. 15:1-4 |
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God does not expect us, as His ambassadors, to convince or convert anyone, that is His job, but we can show what His word says so others can choose to believe Him or not. How marvelous to live in fellowship with God and to help others find and enjoy His new life too. Please consider the Bible references given for more details, and to, see if the Bible really does say what we have tried to show. As members of the Body of Christ we are responsible to proclaim, defend, and stand for the heavenly ministry of Christ. |