without bloviating my answers are.
--------- 1. yes, 2: yes, 3; no -- in that order
See my reply #20
As I look at all the replies not one addresses the scriptures I gave in reply #20. It is as if they do not exist.
So let me repeat them:
Let me make it clear that Jesus Christ,
“”by His own words,”” did not come to minister to the Gentiles, nor was His message "the kingdom gospel" sent to the Gentiles. He did not offer the "kingdom of heaven" TO the Gentiles. The following scriptures support my view.
Matt 10:5-7 (NKJ)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.
6 "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt 15:23-24 (NKJ)
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."
24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
If a person says that Jesus came to minister to the Gentiles they make Jesus telling a lie in the above two verses.
Paul said: Rom 15:8 (NKJ)
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 above scriptures supports my view on questions 1 & 2.
1. The sole purpose for Jesus coming to the Jews (Israel) was to setup the kingdom promised to the Jews; Yes!
2. The ministry and teachings of Jesus was to convince the Jews that He is the Messiah, Yes!
No where in the first 4 books of the N.T. is there a reference to the gospel of God’s grace and if you believe Paul then you must agree that the gospel of grace was hidden in God until it was given to Paul. I didn’t say that, Paul did. No where in the O.T. nor the 4 gospels is the church called "His Body" nor are the words "IN CHRIST" used.
However, much is said in the following scriptures about the fact that the gospel of grace was """HIDDEN IN GOD""".
Ephesians 3:8-9
Purpose of the Mystery 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery,
which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
NKJV
Colossians 1:24-27
Sacrificial Service for Christ 24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God,
26 the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints.
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
NKJV
Romans 16:25-26
Benediction 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began
26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith —
NKJV
Ephesians 3:1-11
The Mystery Revealed 3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles —
2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you,
3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already,
4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ),
5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel,
7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
Purpose of the Mystery 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;
10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,
11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
NKJV
Now for you people that want to go to other scriptures and discuss them, how about discussing the one I gave. You do know that they are in the Bible don't you. The same Bibble you say you believe.