Les Feldick Bible Study

Was the church of the twelve apostles Jewish or Gentile in its orientation?

The church of the twelve apostles was Jewish in its orientation. The Gospel of the Kingdom preached by Jesus in the twelve was still basically Jewish, connected with Temple worship, the Old Testament covenants, and the promise of the coming Messiah. It was not yet the Pauline revelation to the Gentiles.

Les explains that the early church had only the Old Testament Scriptures, since nothing of the New Testament was yet written or circulated. Apollos knew only the baptism of John and the Gospel of the Kingdom preached by Jesus in the twelve, which was still basically Jewish—connected to Temple worship, the Old Testament covenants, and the promise of the coming Messiah. Priscilla and Aquila later expounded to him the way of God more perfectly, bringing him the Pauline revelation that the blood of Christ is the way to God.