Jesus Christ's earthly ministry was directed to the Jews to fulfill and confirm the Old Testament covenant promises God made to the fathers, beginning with Abraham.
Les Feldick teaches that Jesus came to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant, which included no one but Jews, and that everything in His earthly ministry was directed primarily to Israel under those covenant promises (Clips 2, 6). Israel was under the Law and was to believe that Jesus was the Christ in fulfillment of those promises (Clip 4). The final promise of the covenant — that in Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed — was to be fulfilled through the Messiah's crucifixion (Clip 1). When Israel rejected the offer, God set the nation aside and turned to the Gentiles (Clip 7).
Romans 15:8 — States that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision to confirm the promises made to the fathers — the clearest biblical statement of the purpose of His ministry to the Jews.
Genesis 12:3 — The Abrahamic covenant promise that in Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed — the foundational promise Christ came to fulfill.
In Romans 15:8, the apostle Paul writes, "Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers." Christ's earthly ministry was therefore the confirmation of the covenant promises God made to the patriarchs. Those promises are recorded in Genesis 12, where God told Abraham that He would make of him a great nation (Genesis 12:2) and that "in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). The Gospel of John records that when this promised One came, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not" (John 1:11). Yet even after His resurrection, Peter preached to Israel, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).
Les Feldick teaches that everything in Christ's earthly ministry was directed primarily — though not exclusively — to the Jew under the covenant promises of the Old Testament. Jesus came to fulfill the covenants, and all of those covenants rested on the Abrahamic covenant, which included no one but Jews (Clips 2, 6). The premise of Christ's ministry to Israel was that they were to keep the Law, and along with that, they were to believe that He was the Christ who fulfilled those promises (Clip 4).
Les explains that Jesus did not come except to fulfill the covenants, and these covenants all rested on the Abrahamic covenant, which included no one but Jews [Clip 2]. He also points out that every Jew Jesus dealt with was a law-keeping Jew and that everything in Christ's earthly ministry was directed primarily to the Jew under the covenant promises of the Old Testament [Clip 6]. With only two exceptions — the Roman centurion and the Canaanite woman — Jesus confined His ministry to Israel throughout His three years on earth [Clip 7].
Yes. Les states that the whole premise of Christ's earthly ministry to the nation of Israel was that they were to keep the Law. Jesus lived under the Law and never told them they were not under the Law [Clip 4]. The temple was still operating at full capacity — Les notes that a million animals were sacrificed every year at the time of Christ — and Israel remained under the Law throughout Christ's earthly ministry [Clip 3].
Les teaches that every Jew had to repent of sin and follow it with water baptism, even as Acts 2:38 said. If every Jew had turned, Christ would have ushered in the tribulation, lifted the curse from creation, and brought in the kingdom, and Israel would have gone out to evangelize the nations [Clip 5]. It was a valid offer — but God knew Israel would not do it [Clip 5]. Peter continued to preach the same message into the book of Acts, and the promise was still to Israel [Clip 4].
Les explains the last statement of the Abrahamic covenant — "In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" — was fulfilled through Israel's Messiah being crucified and becoming the object of faith for the whole world [Clip 1]. So while Christ's ministry was to the Jews, the purpose behind it was ultimately the blessing of every family on earth [Clip 1].
Israel rejected the offer repeatedly [Clip 3]. They also rejected the role of being the light of the world and the salt of the earth, so those roles now apply by application to believers today [Clip 0]. God set Israel aside and turned to the Gentiles, which is why Paul could write to Rome about obedience to the faith among all nations [Clip 7].
Israel's Rejected Role as Light of the World
Les applies Jesus' words about light and salt to believers today, explaining that Israel rejected their role — showing a pattern of Israel rejecting the purposes for which they were called.
The Abrahamic Promise of Global Blessing
Les explains the final promise of the Abrahamic covenant — that in Abraham all the families of the earth would be blessed — would be fulfilled by Israel's Messiah being crucified and becoming the object of faith for the whole world.
Christ Came to Fulfill the Covenants
Les teaches that Jesus did not come except to fulfill the covenants, which all rest on the Abrahamic covenant and included no one but Jews — the reason behind Christ's Jewish-focused ministry.
Israel Under the Law With the Kingdom Offer
Les shows that Israel throughout Christ's ministry was under the Law with the temple operating, and that every Jew would have had to repent and be baptized for Christ to return and set up the kingdom.
Keep the Law and Believe Jesus Is the Christ
Les says the whole premise of Christ's ministry to Israel was to keep the Law and believe He was the Christ; even Peter's post-resurrection message to Israel remained repent and be baptized.
A Valid Kingdom Offer to Israel
God sent His Son to bless Israel by turning every Jew from their sin; if every Jew repented and was baptized, Christ would have brought in the kingdom and Israel would have evangelized the nations — a valid offer God knew Israel would refuse.
Directed Primarily to the Jew Under Covenant Promises
Everything in Christ's earthly ministry was directed primarily to the Jew under the covenant promises of the Old Testament; they were to believe He was the Christ in fulfillment of those covenants while still under the Law.
Israel Set Aside, Ministry Turns to the Gentiles
Christ confined His ministry to Israel with two exceptions, and after Israel was set aside, God turned to the Gentiles — enabling Paul to proclaim obedience to the faith among all nations.
Romans 15:8: Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
The clearest biblical statement that Christ's Jewish ministry confirmed God's promises to the patriarchs.
Genesis 12:3: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
The foundational covenant promise Christ came to fulfill — global blessing through Abraham's seed.
John 1:11: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John's record of the Messiah's own people rejecting Him — the response Les says shaped what followed.
Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter's post-resurrection message to Israel, showing the kingdom offer continued after the cross.
Matthew 5:13: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Jesus' words to the twelve, which Les says were indicative of the nation of Israel whose role was rejected.
Yes. Les teaches that the Abrahamic covenant promised that in Abraham all families of the earth would be blessed, and this was to come about through the Messiah being crucified and becoming the object of faith for the whole world [Clip 1]. After Israel rejected the King, God set the nation aside and turned to the Gentiles [Clip 7].
Les explains that Israel was under the Law — Jesus lived under it too — but along with the Law they were to believe that He was the Christ in fulfillment of the Old Testament covenants [Clip 4, Clip 6].
Because the message had not yet changed. Christ had died, been buried, raised, and ascended, but not a word had yet been spoken that salvation was now made available because of it. Peter still told Israel to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, with the promise still to them [Clip 4].
Les says yes, it was a valid offer. If every Jew had repented and been baptized, Christ would have brought in the tribulation, lifted the curse, and set up the kingdom. But God knew Israel would not do it [Clip 5].
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