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"That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel."

Text: Ephesians 3:6

THE CLOSED MIND OF THE JEWS

The first Christians were Jews. Their joy was in discovering that Jesus was indeed the long awaited-for Messiah. The desire of the early Jewish believers was to reach out to fellow Jews. Luke the historian made this observation concerning the evangelistic efforts of the Jewish Christians in the first century.

“Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose
over Stephen traveled as far as Phonecia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.”
ACTS 11:19

Why were the Jewish Christians not able to reach out to Gentiles? The following reasons may be considered.

1. Cultural problem

The Jews had a deeply ingrained culture. They were brought up to observe the following:-

a) They ate only “kosher” food.

b) They kept themselves separate from idolatrous Gentiles.

c) They maintained speaking their own language (Hebrew or Aramaic).

d) There were little cultural exchanges with Gentiles.

2. Religious problem

The Christian Jews were still enshrouded by the thought that the Messiah was exclusively theirs.

a) Jewish understanding of the Messiah was exclusive to the nation.

b) Salvation was therefore only for Jews.

c) Gentiles were seen as precluded from God’s plan of salvation

3. Theological limitations

a) Many Jewish believers still lacked full teaching.

b) They needed to be taught that salvation was also for Gentiles.

c) Many of the early church leaders, including the apostles (initially) were still struggling with the idea of salvation being extended to Gentiles.

For these reasons, Gentiles were not reached with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.