WHY TO THE JEW FIRST ?

The question before us demands an answer.

It is apparent that to some Christians, a simple "because GOD said so" is not sufficient. I say this based on the following personal observations that I have been able to pick up from various people over the last twenty-five years. Some will say, "I don't want to offend"; others have said, "I don't think it's necessary"; while yet others have actually spoken these words to me, "I don't think it's for today."

In addition to the above, here are some other reasons that I believe people use as excuses for not practicing "to the Jew first" in their own lives.

1- There may be some misinformation about The Scriptures.

2- The individual may be unaware that The Bible actually invites us to be a faithful witness to Jewish people.

3- Perhaps there exists either covertly or overtly some form of prejudice (anti-Semitism).

4- An individual may feel that he or she may not have enough knowledge of Holy Writ to be effective for Our Lord.

5- Or, a person might be just plain 'afraid' to speak to a Jewish person about their Messiah.

Before we go any further let's establish the Biblical identity of the Jewish people.

In DEUTERONOMY 7:6 we read:

"FOR THOU (THE JEWISH PEOPLE) ART A 'HOLY' PEOPLE UNTO THE LORD THY GOD: THE LORD THY GOD HATH 'CHOSEN' THEE TO BE A 'SPECIAL' PEOPLE UNTO HIMSELF, ABOVE ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE UPON THE FACE OF THE EARTH."

The usual connotation of a Jewish person is that he or she belongs to 'the chosen people', but in actuality according to our Scripture the Jewish people are not only 'chosen', but they are also 'holy' and 'special'.

In Zechariah 2:8 we read that The LORD Himself tells us, "for he that toucheth you (the Jewish people) toucheth the Apple of His (The LORD's) Eye."

In The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter 10 and verse 6, we read that our LORD Jesus Christ spoke of the Jewish people as "the lost sheep of the house of Israel", and He commissioned His disciples to "go" and "preach" saying , "the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

The Jewish Apostle Saul-Paul who was sent by our LORD to the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) to preach and witness of GOD's love, said:

IN ROMANS 1:16

"For I am not ashamed of The Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of GOD unto salvation to every one that believeth; 'to the Jew first', and also to the Gentile".

Yes, the Apostle Saul-Paul was instructed to go to the Gentiles, yet everywhere he went, according to The Scriptures, he first presented The Good News of Salvation "to the Jew first". Therefore, when we are confronted in Romans 1:16 that The Gospel is to be presented "to the Jew first", and for the most part it is not part and parcel of Christianity, we would naturally ask ourselves, WHY NOT ?

I believe that if you do not place "to the Jew first" in your witness, prayer life, financial support, and in your life as a believer in general; and I repeat, if you do not, you probably do not have a place at all for GOD's 'holy', 'chosen', 'special' PEOPLE, that is, the Jewish people.

Even Jesus our LORD in The Gospel according to Luke 24:46-47 said, "Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ (Messiah) to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His Name among all nations (Gentiles), BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM (the Jewish people)".

Please remember what Romans 3:9 tells us, "For we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin".

SO, WHY TO THE JEW FIRST ?

Because, GOD said so, and this of course is found in Holy Writ: also, because Jewish people should have an opportunity 'TODAY' to hear that

Yeshua (Jesus) is

The Promised Messiah (Christ).

I hope that you are interested in being obedient to GOD's Word.

If you believe that The Gospel of Christ 'IS' the power of GOD unto Salvation - for EVERYONE that believeth, then you must recognize that the Jewish people are part of EVERYONE. Furthermore, The LORD instructs you to place "to the Jew first" in your life of service unto our LORD, that is, in your prayers (see: Romans 10:1) and in your financial support (see: Romans 11:30-31, and Romans 15:26-27).

The LORD Himself has a very special blessing for you as you obey Him. Remember, that if you DON'T put "to the Jew first" in your program of service unto our LORD, you probably will leave the Jewish people totally and absolutely out of your life as a witness.

Once the Biblical principle of "to the Jew first" takes hold of your life and you put into practice the admonition thereof, don't try to reform or convert your Church or Fellowship. Remember, that Jewish Evangelism for all practical purposes is 'NOT' an integral part in the average Church or Fellowship, and you might even find that there is no interest whatsoever in reaching Jewish people with The Gospel. Usually a Church or Fellowship Missionary Budget speaks for itself. However, The LORD might just use you as an instrument to help others in realizing that "to the Jew first" is for TODAY AND NOW.

In Genesis 12:3 we read, "And I will bless them (you) that bless thee (the Jewish people). Take hold of this promise of blessing as you practice "to the Jew first".

Our ministry, SHALOM SCRIPTURE STUDIES, INC., allows you an avenue to become involved in practicing "to the Jew first", by STUDYING with us; or, by SUPPORTING us in a prayerful financial way; or, SERVING with us in preaching "to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" that MESSIAH HAS COME and that He is Coming Again.

The LORD bless you in your new awareness and challenge of "to the Jew first".

Shalom.

Dr. and Mrs. Elias E. Hidalgo

Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem:

They Shall Prosper That Love Thee".

Psalm 122:6

PEACE
IS AN ENGLISH WORD THAT MEANS
SHALOM

SHALOM SCRIPTURE STUDIES, INC.
'a Hebrew-Christian Bible Fellowship'

Your contribution and donation which are tax deductible, should be sent to:

Shalom Scripture Studies, Inc. P.O. Box 60580 Savannah, GA 31420

You may also make a secure credit card donation thru PayPal

"Salvation is by grace through faith": To reach out and locate the lost and to present the Gospel of salvation takes your financial help, thank you.