It was too small a matter that the salvation of the Savior come into the world to save only the Jews. It was, from the beginning of man, always to offer God’s ultimate sacrifice to the world.
Jesus summarized the mission of the disciples as preaching repentance, calling people to turn from their own selfish ways to Christ, the One who had died for them.Forgiveness and blessing come only through the work of the risen Jesus. The message of Jesus’ salvation can go to all nations, to Jews and Gentiles alike.
Luke
Early Christian writings, from the works of Justin Martyr to Tertullian, identify the author as Luke, an identification that was firmly in place by the third century a.d. Luke was an educated man by ancient standards. He was capable of writing in high Greek style, and Colossians 4:10–14 seems to indicate that Luke was not “of the circumcision,” that is, not Jewish. If so, Luke would be the only Gentile author of a New Testament book. Tradition says that after accompanying Paul on some of his missionary journeys, Luke settled in Philippi, investing his life in the ministry of the Philippian church.
The book ends with Jesus telling the disciples to wait for the coming of the Spirit. By now, they should have realized that everything that had taken place in Jesus’ life was promised in the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Jesus is the promised Messiah. Forgiveness of sin can be obtained only through Him. The disciples were witnesses to this fact; their mission was to share this Good News with all nations, not merely the Jews. Jesus gave them this task, but He also provided them with the power to carry it out.
Thus it is clear that Luke’s Gospel centers on God’s plan to provide salvation to the world.
Thus it is clear that Luke’s Gospel centers on God’s plan to provide salvation to the world.
Luke 24:46-48
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.
2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.
Hosea 6:2
27 All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You.
Psalm 22:27
34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Jeremiah 31:34
2 Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:2
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