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Post by Rohanmdn on Feb 7, 2006 11:43:59 GMT -8
Other than the book of Hebrews ( messianic Jews), which books in the new testament would ( in your opinion) be specifically addressed to the Nation of Israel?
Specifically what about the Gospels?
Please feel free to explaine why you have a particular opinion. How it relates to the Kingdom offer, and to the Abrahamic and Davidic Covenants.
Shalom, and thank you for your time asnwering my question. Rohan
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Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Feb 12, 2006 14:43:28 GMT -8
I personally believe that the audience many times changes back and forth with a given book and in many places addresses all believers in Messiah. At any rate, I believe all of the various books in question are relavent to all believers in Messiah. Sorry for not getting more specific.
Any other thoughts?
Reuel
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Post by Rohanmdn on Feb 12, 2006 20:23:15 GMT -8
Thank you Reuel,
It might have seemed like a strange question, but I'm doing a study on eschatology and I see sequences that I feel address the Nation specifically and I'm comparing them to the book of Daniel. It's for a debate at another site to argue against replacement theology and covenantalism.. we might as well say anti-semitism..
I was looking for ways to specifically address these heretical ideas. Thank you for your comment. Shalom, Rohan
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Post by Chizuk Emunah on Feb 13, 2006 5:23:32 GMT -8
Shalom Rohanmdn, Right off the bat, I can tell you that all four books of the B'sorah Tovot (Good News) were addressed to Am Yisrael. Other than that, I pretty much agree with Reuel that for the most part, they are addressed to the believers in Moshiach, both Jew and Gentile.
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Post by Ashirah on Feb 27, 2006 21:45:37 GMT -8
I believe all are to the Nation of Israel. I believe there is only one testament. I don't believe there is a division of OT and NT. There is nothing in the "NT" that can contradict the "OT". Everything in the "NT" is in reference to the of "old". Everything Yeshua, his talmadim and followers referred to was from the scripture they learned - which were the scriptures of old. The "Bible" is a book written to the Jew, for the Jew and by the Jew. Other people can reap the promises and covenants as they are either aligned or "grafted in" but it was, is and always will be to the Jew first. I am interested in hearing other opinions.
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RoRK
New Member
Posts: 41
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Post by RoRK on Feb 28, 2006 20:35:26 GMT -8
>>The "Bible" is a book written to the Jew, for the Jew >>and by the Jew.
I cringe when I read such phrases. My thoughts and feelings were always that God's message was for everyone.
God sent his message to everyone through a very small number of Jewish people. God did not send his message TO the Jewish people.
The important words in the statements above are through and to.
The Bible is a book of God's teachings in as much as it is a book of prophesies. Only the one true God is able to prophesize with accuracy continually. For a prophesy to occur, a place, a time, and act or reaction, and either a person or a people must all come together to fulfil any one prophesy.
To ensure that God's prophesies can be carried out hundreds if not thousands of years later, it was of course ideal to choose a people rather than a person to help fulfil prophesies. The Jews were God's chosen people for the purpose of fulfliing prophesies and of course other pertinent requirements of His.
Jews are not God's favorite people. Jews are God's chosen people. There is no sciprtural basis that says that Jews are God's favourite people.
Comments?
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Post by Mark on Mar 1, 2006 4:34:49 GMT -8
There are four books in the Brit Hadashah that are universally accepted as being addressed specifically to the Jewish people: the book of Matthew is specifically identified as attempting to reach the logic of a Jewish audience. The reasons suggesting the other three gospels include gentile audiences are vague: that Mark writes from a gentile (outsider's) perspective, that Luke is writing to Theopholis (Greek name, so he must be a Greek... not my logic, Church logic), and John is the great universalist- since his later writing were to the churches in Asia, it is assumed his gospel would be to the same audience.
James specifically addresses the twelve tribes of Israel (or the diaspora)
(James 1:1) James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
1st and 2nd Timothy are addressed to one accepted as a Jew, having been raised in Jewish teaching, though not allowed to fully participate because of his father (Acts 16:1-3, 2nd Timothy 1:5). Since he acted as pastor to a gentile Church, letters to him are not as fully acceptable as being Jewish in nature and content.
When dealing with the arguments that the New Testament was not written to Jews, the most effective position I've found is to demonstrate to confessed allegiance and confidence of the writers to Judaism.
In Acts 15:21 the counsel regarding the gentiles expressed confidence that the gentile believers would be taught obedience "because they have (the gentiles have) Moses taught to them in the synagogues every Sabbath in every city.
Paul confessed himself repeatedly to be a Jew, adherent to the rules of Judaism. He made public declaration of such in Acts 21:20-24. The last recorded words of Paul declare him to have been uncompromising in his adherence to the Jewish faith (Acts 28:17: "I have done nothing against the traditions of the Fathers.") Either Paul's teachings were always consistent with the rules of Judaism or he was a liar.
One of my favorite defenses is to have the opponent look up the word "traditions" in their Strong's concordance as it is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:15. 2nd Thessalonians was written to a gentile Church, right?
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Post by R' Y'hoshua Moshe on Mar 4, 2006 2:04:50 GMT -8
The scritpure does say that the B'sorot Tovot (Good News) was to the Jew first and then to the Gentile...So, it was meant for both, but...with priority. As to G-d's favored people, the TeNaKh has much to say...here is a sample... "For I am YHVH your Elohim, the Holy One of Yisra'el, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Kush and Seva in your place. Since you have been precious and honored in my sight, and I have loved you; therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life. Don't be afraid; for I am with you. I will bring your seed from the east, and gather you from the west. I will tell the north, 'Give them up!' and tell the south, 'Don't hold them back! Bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.'" - Yesha'yahu/Isaiah 43:3-7 Of course any Gentile can take hold and become apart of Yisrael and be apart of this intense love and favor which is clearly bestowed upon Yisrael. Shalom chaverim, Reuel
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Post by Nachshon on Jun 23, 2006 7:45:31 GMT -8
As to Scripture being addressed specifically to the Jews, it may be helpful to note Romans 1:16. It may also be important to note that ancient church fathers accepted without question that Matthew was written in Hebrew (I note Eusebius, Iranius, Origen, and Tertullian) and Eusebius and Iranius both quote from a Hebrew gospel named "The Gospel According to the Hebrews" now lost, which Jerome claims was written in Aramaic.
Shalom, David
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