If Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, why were the 12-apostles also told to go to all nations?

If Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles, why were the 12-apostles also told to go to all nations?

Mat.28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

It is true that the Jewish commission was to go to all nations, but a very important point to make is that this was to happen only AFTER the nation of Israel itself had been saved. If one looks at the verses on the commission, there is an order of precedence,

Luk.24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Act.1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Why has the great commission not happened?

Israel, as a nation, and according to prophecy in Joel 2 and Ezekiel 36, was always to be saved FIRST. They would become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, a light of salvation to the Gentiles. However, because of unbelief, this commission was cut short when God blinded Israel and suspended the program, Rom.11:25. It is with this fall that God commissioned Paul to go to the Gentiles instead, Act.9:15; Gal.1:15-16; Eph.3:8. So, with this change, the Gentiles would be saved without the means of Israel and with a completely different gospel and doctrine, Rom.16:25. The suspension of the commission, and the Kingdom program, would have to wait until the second coming of Christ and the Millennial Kingdom so that prophecy concerning this calling could be fulfilled.

Why can only Israel fulfil this commission?

The instruction, to go to all nations, to go and preach repentance and the remission of sins, to baptize in the name of the Lord, and to teach them observance to the commands of Christ, was given to Israel and will eventually be fulfilled by them in the Millennial Kingdom.

Our commission today is not to get people to repent for the remission of sins, to baptize in the name of the Lord, and to teach them observance to the commands of Christ. These commands belong to the Jews and are applicable for their Kingdom program. The Jews are called to repentance for their national sins. Water baptism is a priestly requirement for remission of sins, since Israel is a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. The Holy Spirit is part of the New Covenant (Ezek.36; Jer.31), to place the law in their heart and empower them to live it and teach it to all nations in the Millennial Kingdom. None of these commands are even relevant for us in the Body of Christ. Why? Because we are already forgiven all our sins by the blood of Christ, Eph.1:7; Col.1:14, Col.2:13. We do not need to be washed (baptized) with water in preparation as a royal priesthood in God’s service, 1Cor.1:17. The great commission is designed for Israel and specific to them, according to the function and purpose.

Is the commission relevant for today?

No. It is not relevant for today. The great commission given to the Jewish apostles has been misquoted and misunderstood because of the lack of rightly dividing the Word. Right division of the Word separates everything concerning Israel in the prophetic program from that of the Body of Christ in the mystery program. If we hold to this truth, then it is clear that this commission is outside the scope of our program.

Paul was given a new gospel and new doctrine for the Gentiles, Rom.16:25-26. In this new doctrine, Paul was given a different instruction. He writes about it in 2 Corinthians,

2Cor.5:18-21 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. (21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Our commission is a simple instruction. Reconciling people to the grace of God that comes through the cross of Christ. That is it. Nothing more, nothing less. In the great commission, the Gentiles were to be saved by the rise [pre-eminence] of Israel, according to prophecy. However, by Paul’s mystery program, Gentiles are now saved by the fall of Israel, Rom 11:11.

Will the great commission be fulfilled?

Yes. Israel will become priests and kings in the Millennial Kingdom. When they receive the Holy Spirit at Christ’s return, the law of God will be written in their hearts. It is at this time that they will disperse into the nations, as the light to the Gentiles, to bring the law and the will of the King of Kings to the nations,

Zech.8:23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.