the 500
A: see video for greater explination and details. What you need to know as a Jew and why it matters.
Was it 500 or were there more?
Theres 500 believers in Galilee and 120 in Jerusalem
By the time Jesus was on the cross, the Book of Acts noted these 620 Jews who believed, plus the 12 Apostles.
Israel was to be the witness to the World, but instead isolated themselves and became legalistic and apostate. Jesus called Israel to repentance, obedience and receiving Him as the Messiah (God's Savior) as a final offer.
Salvation since Eden was for all humans. God told Abraham it would be fulfilled thru Him [thru all who have faith in the Messiah, but thru line of David]. And this salvation was to be done eventually thru Israel as the nation being the reflectors of the Light, being a shining light in the world. Going everywhere to spread the truth to the world, so the world would be blessed. But became selfish, prejudiced, isolated, disobedient and apostate.
They didnt uphold their purpose as a Witness nation. God chose them for it. But they rejected it, didnt repent, turned from the Messiah, and God then changed it to the born again Christians, God's new people will and are bringing God to the world. The Gentiles whom God saved, and they are now the light to the Nations.
The transition happened at the Cross.
Many Jews got saved, but now all who are in Christ are the witness to the World.
3,000 Jews on Pentecost, 5,000 Jews were converted shortly after that, and thousands more as the Church spread since then.
What is the message of God?
When did you read through the New Testament?
I challenge you to do so today, especially if you are Israeli or Jewish.
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Final note from the video & the truths...
@ 37:19
There were believing gentiles who became Jews and lived there. They came to Phillip. Between Judea and Galilee, there was 10 cities of gentiles. They may have known him from from business. This day gentiles sought Jesus. Asked Phillip to see Jesus.
Why? Gentiles couldn't go passed the outer court, so they asked Phillip to arrange a meeting with Jesus who was in the Jewish inner court. They wanted to meet him. He was about to be known as the Savior of the World. Phillip told Andrew, they went to Jesus and met the disciples and crowd. (*This is the beginning of the message of salvation finally leaving Israel and going worldwide as it was supposed to).
[Phillip & Andrew knew: Jesus said he has Sheep of another fold; Matt 8 , & Roman gentile sought Jesus and Jesus said the gentile had more faith than anyone in Israel among the Jews. And, "many will come to Heaven and Jews will end up in outer darkness", John 6:37 Anyone who comes to me i will not turn away].
We can assume Jesus met these gentiles who wanted to know.l "Are you the Messiah, what is next?" The universal provision is made, the believing gentiles are the 1st fruits of the world coming to salvation,
Jesus then said, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified". (*It is a Dan. 7 Messianic term). And that answers the question to the gentiles who heard and understood this too. They mustve been so excited the Messiah is Him.
The Kingdom must come when what is dead rises. And it only comes once the perfect substitutionary death happens. Jesus, The perfect Lamb of God sacrificed on the last Passover.
The seed that is dead goes in the ground, and when it rises it brings forth fruit, and continues to produce fruit and seeds and more fruit and continues to do so (all done by the one seed). Jesus the 1st fruit coming forth and believers are the harvest and continuation of generations of believers until the Last Day.
Jesus gave a general invitation, vs 25...
He who, if anyone, if anyone. Wide open invitation. This is a restoration of salvation to all who believe on earth.
vs 27 "When I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself", Jesus.
It is an invitation to die to sin & self and live in Christ & righteousness, [and follow Him]. If you do this you will be saved.
Repent, believe, take up your cross and follow Him, no matter the cost.
What do you gain? Eternal life and a relationship with God. And what(?)...God will honor you. Amazing and incomprehendable. Grab at the offer God has given through Christ.
2. Begin your new life in Christ
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