The Nugget:
Mat 10:5 These 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: Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
My Comment:
Moslems continue to cite Matthew 10:5-6 to prove that Jesus came only for the “lost sheep of Israel,” and did not come for the benefit of the Gentiles at all.
This time they even cited a Koranic text from Sura 43:59 to establish their position.
the Quran also confirms it when Allah said ” He [‘Iesa (Jesus)] was not more than a slave. We granted Our Favour to him, and We made him an example to the Children of Israel (i.e. his creation without a father).[Sura 43:59]
This would appear to me rather shaky evidence indeed, but this is the proffered interpretation of that Koranic text.
But that the Muslims are mistaken about what the Bible teaches concerning the extent of the ministry of Christ, and who that ministry and Gospel is for, was my intention in the following response.
My Response:
Phaisal Aziz, you have not at all addressed the FACT that Matthew 10:5-6 which you cited speaks only of the specific mission Jesus gave his disciples on that occasion. That directive of Jesus is not the only directive He gave. In Mark 16:15 He commanded that the Gospel be preached to the whole world, to every creature. The same command is reflected in Matthew 28:19-20. The same command is reflected in Acts 1:8. The same message is reflected in Luke 24:46-47.
Mat 10:5 These 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:
Mat 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Notice that Matthew 10:5, 6 represent the directive Jesus gave to his disciples for their first mission, restricted indeed to the nation of Israel, for of course the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was sent to His own people. Yet we read in the first chapter of John’s Gospel that Jesus came unto his own people, and his own people received him not. This was all in accordance with the predictions contained in the Old Testament Prophets.
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Notice that the mission and message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is extended now to the whole world, to every creature. You cannot correctly use Matthew 10:5, 6 which takes place early in Christ’s ministry to contradict, limit, or deny the final commission of Jesus Christ to His disciples to bring His Gospel to the whole world. Anyone who does that proves that they do not understand the Gospel at all. And if the Koran at Sura 43:59 teaches that the ministry of Jesus Christ was strictly and always limited to the Jewish nation, then it is obvious that on this point the Koran is mistaken, and cannot therefore be considered the word of God.
Mat 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:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Notice that Matthew 28:19 commands the disciples of Jesus Christ to “Go…and teach all nations.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ, therefore, is not limited to the Jewish nation.
Act 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Notice the systematic progression of the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ commanded and outlined in Acts 1:8. The disciples were commanded to start from Jerusalem, progress to all Judea, to extend their ministry to Samaria, and finally to the uttermost part of the earth. The Bible record, and history itself, show that is exactly what the disciples did.
Luk 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Luk 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
Luk 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Notice that Jesus commanded that the disciples were to preach repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name AMONG ALL NATIONS, beginning in Jerusalem. Therefore, it is clear that the message of Jesus Christ was not confined to “the house of Israel,” but was intended for all nations.
Furthermore, Jesus Christ Himself extended His ministry directly and in person to the Samaritans, starting with the account about the woman at the well found in the Gospel of John, the fourth chapter.
Joh 4:4 And he must needs go through Samaria.
Joh 4:5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.
Joh 4:6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
Joh 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
I am sure you have access to the rest of the story. I will not quote it all here. But the point is, Jesus told the woman about her past marriage history, and by this display of His omniscience, the woman realized that Jesus must be a prophet. She entered into a religious discussion with Him, and told Him what she believed about the Messiah who was to come. Jesus told her plainly, I am He. The woman believed His words, and went and told the townspeople, who came out to see Him at her urging and invitation, and they, meeting Him themselves and hearing His word, also believed, and asked Jesus to tarry there with them.
Joh 4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
Joh 4:40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
Joh 4:41 And many more believed because of his own word;
Joh 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Notice what those Samaritans came to believe: “[We] know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” It is clear that the Samaritans did not believe that Jesus came only for the “lost house of Israel.” Clearly, they understood that Jesus is the Saviour for the whole world.
Anyone who reads the Bible intelligently must come to the same conclusion.