In the Bible, are 'the sheep' the Jews or the church?
In this teaching, the sheep of Scripture are the Jews, not the church. The Old Testament uses the sheep-and-shepherd analogy for Israel, and Paul never calls the church the Lord's sheep. Jesus' command to Peter to feed His sheep is understood as confining Peter's ministry to the nation of Israel.
Les explains that his impression is that the sheep of Scripture are the Jews. He says that when we get to the church portion of the Bible, Paul never refers to believers as the Lord's sheep, whereas the Old Testament consistently uses the sheep-and-shepherd analogy, as in Psalm 23. He understands Jesus' threefold command to Peter, 'Feed my sheep,' as compensating for Peter's three denials and as confining Peter to the nation of Israel. He adds this primes a study of the book of Acts.
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
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Are the sheep Jesus tells Peter to feed in John 21 the Jews or the church?
Les says the sheep of Scripture are the Jews, and the same is true in John 21 when Jesus tells Peter to feed His sheep.