The Two Administrations of Jesus Christ
By William Handschumacher
Rock of Offence Special Commentary
One of the keys to properly understanding
the New Testament is learning about
the temporary conditions that existed
during the "Transition" from Old
Testament Law - to New Testament Grace
and why God allowed these conditions
to exist.
The Old Testament program of the Law (also known as 'the Mosaic Law' and Judaism) governed Israel from Moses at Mount Sinai - to Christ's crucifixion ... or approximately 1445 years according to some Bible historians. By the time Jesus came on the scene, the Law was understood as "God's accepted program for all Jewish faith and practice" - and was thoroughly institutionalized. Opposing its rules and teachings often resulted in being excommunicated or, in extreme situations -- publically executed. Judaism (often called Orthodox Judaism) taught about the arrival of a future Messiah; as foretold by Isaiah and other Old Testament prophets. However, its leaders and followers did not yet know his identity.
Then Jesus came preaching "the gospel of the kingdom" and revealed to the "woman at the well" (and others) that He was indeed the promised Messiah of Israel.
Modern-day Christians tend to ignore the fact that Jesus was born 'a Jew' and that God initially sent Him as Messiah to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel". Scripture demands that this Messiah must be Jewish (a direct descendent of both King David and Abraham) ... and cannot be a member of any non-Jewish race. In His encounter with the woman at the well in John chapter 4 (verses 22-25), Jesus made some amazing declarations. We should keep in mind that this woman was a Gentile and not a Jew.
Jesus said to the woman:
"You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."
(Important Note: When Jesus said; "...we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews" - He is claiming to be a Jew.)
The woman responded (verse 25):
"I know that Messiah is coming" (who
is called Christ). "When He comes,
He will tell us all things."
Jesus said to her, "I who
speak to you am He."
This dialogue provides us with
some important undeniable facts.
FIRST ...
Jesus said that God's salvation
originates from the Jewish people
and their culture.
SECOND ...
Jesus reveals that He is the
Messiah and is therefore
a member of the Jewish race.
THIRD ...
This means that Jesus operated
in two roles. While on earth,
He was the Jewish Messiah - but
after His crucifixion,
resurrection, ascension and
the coming of the Holy Spirit
on the day of Pentecost ... He
also became the Lord and Savior
of the New Testament Church...
THAT HE NOW GOVERNS FROM HEAVEN.
With the arrival of Jesus as
the Messiah of Israel - we now
see an updated form of Judaism
that adds "faith or belief in
Christ" (as the Messiah) - to
the rules and tenants included
in the original Law, which
continued to have authority
until the cross.
Today, this revised form of Judaism is often referred to as Messianic Judaism, and is different from Orthodox Judaism that did not yet have a Messiah in whom to place its faith. However, when Jesus "filled in the blank" and rightfully claimed the title of "the Messiah of Israel", it enraged the religious establishment, who now wanted to kill him for what they considered to be blasphemy.
Messianic Judaism and it's "Gospel of the kingdom" was the message taught by Christ and his disciples (who later became apostles--except for Judas). These apostles (who were all Jewish) continued to preach this message for approximately 7-10 years after the crucifixion. Until the time that Paul began his apostolic ministry about midway into the Book of Acts ... the apostles doctrine was the only official teaching in the early church.
Christ's Messianic doctrine, also
referred to as "the Gospel of the
Kingdom" was designed exclusively
for the Jewish people, who
continued to live according to the
Law of Moses given at Mount Sinai.
Contrary to popular Bible teaching,
"the Gospel of the Kingdom", which
required various works and
expressions of "law keeping" - in
addition to "faith in Christ" - was
not designed for the Christian
Church now living under New
Covenant Grace - as described in
the Epistles of Saint Paul.
Jesus made this fact clear in the
following statements...
"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. But go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel." (Matthew 10:5-6)
"But He (Jesus) answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the House of Israel." (Matthew 15:24)
Or, as the NASV version
of the Bible states:
"I was sent only to the
lost sheep of the house
of Israel."
The words of Christ, quoted above are often highlighted in red to emphasize their importance. Yet, these particular words are almost never heard in a sermon - because they reveal an important truth that exposes many popular church teachings that violate the context of the Bible.
The statement made by Jesus;
"I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel"
Represents a major 'Divine Mandate' that affects how the New Testament Scriptures should be interpreted. Jesus Himself clearly reveals that His earthly ministry was directed only toward the Israelites. However, a vast majority of ministers attempt to illegally insert the Christian Church into this Messianic mandate ... which makes God say something - that He does not say. |
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