The first Church, the Body of Christ, consisted only of Jews

How, then, is the Gospel of the Kingdom a Gentile religion? By the fact that Gentiles claimed it and made it their own? By this reasoning, the Jews have no right to the land between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean because the Arab nations have claimed it and made it their own.

Just as the land bounded by the Euphrates and the Mediterranean, the Sinai and Lebanon, was given to the Jews as an inheritance by the God of Heaven, so it is true that the Kingdom of God was given to the Jews by the God of Heaven. Neither ownership can be changed by the actions of covetous people.

The first Church, the original Body of Christ, consisted only of Jews.

And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (Acts 2:46)

At this time, the believers never would have considered adding a Gentile to their fellowship.

There was a large church in Jerusalem, all Jews, numbering in the thousands, pastored by James, the half brother of Jesus.

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. (Acts 4:4)

The Jews were not at all certain Gentiles were to be included in the Kingdom of Heaven, until God gave a vision to the Apostle Peter.

And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou unclean. (Acts 10:15)

It required a Divine vision in order for the Apostle Peter, a devout Jew, to consider bringing the Gospel, the children’s bread, to Cornelius, a righteous Gentile.

The Jewish apostles and elders came together to consider the problem of Gentile believers.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them [the Gentile believers], and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. (Acts 15:5,6)

The idea that God would accept a Gentile in His Church was so alien to Jews, so repugnant, that Paul and Peter had to be careful when they were near Jewish believers.

And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. (Acts 21:20-25)

We can note the troubled thinking of the Jewish saints at this time. They did not want a Jew upon becoming a believer to forsake Moses. As for the Gentiles, they were considered to be strangers whom God had accepted but who certainly were not on a level with Jews in the Kingdom of God.

The above passage from Acts helps us appreciate the degree of faith required of Paul in order for him to be willing to receive the Divine revelation—given only to him, apparently—concerning the transition from Moses to Christ. Gentile believers are greatly indebted to the Jew, Saul of Tarsus. Let the Gentile believers help repay that debt by showing kindness to their Jewish brothers, who always were on Paul’s heart as a continual grief.

For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (Romans 9:3)

We note here that Paul was willing to be cut off from Christ because of the unbelief of his fellow Jews. Moses also had this same tender agony concerning Israel.

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. (Exodus 32:32)

The believing Jews considered themselves more favored in God’s sight than were the believing Gentiles, and Peter was afraid of the devout Jews.

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. (Galatians 2:11,12)

The original Church was thoroughly Jewish. We do not understand how the concept grew that the Gospel of Jesus is a Gentile religion. We do know, however, of the promises of Scripture that in the last days the Lord will turn once again to His chosen people, the Jews.

And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place from where I caused you to be carried away captive. (Jeremiah 29:14)

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