There are groups that have arisen in the most recent times, which have a claim that the Messiah only came to make disciples of one nation, who are the Nation of Israel. These are the people that descended from Jacob, whos name was changed to Israel when he fought with an Angel of Alohim (God).
By reading through the scriptures we can get the truth about whether there was command for there to be made disciples of all nations and not just the nation of Israel alone.
If we read the scriptures it is safe to say that the Nation of Israel is the focal point of the books, and if we read carefully we see that one of the greatest apostles Paul state claim to His nation being an Israelite from the tribe of Benjamin.
Romans 11:1-2
1I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew…
The statement from Paul above gives us clear indication that the nation of Israel is still in existence today! and that the Messiah has not gotten rid of them, which is something often taught in modern day Christianity today, some gos as far as to say Israel is no more.
The topic here, though is whether there should be disciples of all nations and not just Israelites. If we look at the scriptures we can draw a better understanding of what YHWH intended for all nations.
Leviticus 19:33-34
33And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him.
34But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
If we look to this scripture found in the law of the Israelites we see that the YHWH always required that the Israelites were to accomodate any nation that they came into contact with, here nations are called strangers.
Isaiah 49:6
6And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
And again we see what Isaiah is told by YHWH, which is that he not only was to preach to Israel, but was also to be a “light to the Gentiles (nations)”, in like manner. By preaching to the other nations this would enlighten them as to what the YHWH want of man and they can spread the message.
John 1:11-13
11He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
If we look at this scripture in the book of John, it gives us an even clearer picture of what YHWH’s promise to Israel and all nations is. It say that this promise supercededs, blood and flesh.
This means the believers of YHWH do not have to be of the blood of Jacob, but only that they believe the Messiah died and resurrected for their sins and keep the commandments that he taught and teaches.
This is something that many Israelites at the time neglected to do, as is read in verse one “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”
Lets look at the words of the Perfect example the Messiah himself to see what he taught concerning making disciples of all nations.
First he says,
Matthew 8:11
11And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
But we should also note that there was a command for the disciples to preach to the people that he had a covenant with original, i.e the Israelites
Matthew 10:5-6
5These 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:
6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
It is important to remember that Israel do need to be preached to, as they have a part to play in the spreading of the word of YHWH as teachers and lights to the gentiles (all nations).
But after this the Messiah tells the disciples to call all nations into his covenant by preaching to them and make disciples of all nations, aswell as baptize them too.
Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
So what ever country you come from there the Most high desires you to be his disciple. It will require some work and change, but who ever you are you have a place in the kingdom of heaven along side the Israelites,as you can see in the book of Revelations below:
Revelation 7:4-10
4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nephthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.
7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.
8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
Shalom
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There are more scriptures below that show the inclusion of all nations as disciples:
Deuteronomy 27:19
2 Timothy 4:17
1 Timothy 3:16
1 Timothy 2:1-8
Romans 11:14-24
Acts 15:5-11
Romans 2:26-29
Deuteronomy 29:10-15
Romans 11:13-21
Acts 9:15
Acts 15:19-21
Hebrews 2:9
Hosea 2:23
Romans 9:24
Romans 2:9-13
Amos 9:11-12
Isaiah 42:6-7
Feel free to add some scriptures to the comments that you find related to this teaching!
Shalom
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