It is sad to say that too many people in our churches today are not aware that the content of Paul's epistles are written directly to them today, and are crucial for their edification and encouragement. People either think that Paul is a second rate apostle and dismiss his writings, or they set Paul's writings aside because they think it is of less importance than the red letter teachings of Jesus Christ. Little do they know that literally ALL of Paul's writings might as well be in red letters too, since He received it all directly from the risen and glorified Christ.
The important thing to realize is that the 3-years of Jesus earthly ministry was specific to the Jews.
Galatians 4:4-5 reads, "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
Jesus was born into the world as a Jew, to save the Jews! Jesus' focus was NOT to Gentiles at this point! Why? Because this was the current plan of God based on the covenant He made with Abraham; ---that through the Jews all the nations of the world shall be blessed. (Genesis 12:1-3). God had to save the Jews first, so that they could be His vehicle of blessing to the Gentiles. So, if Jesus had to focus his attention on the Gentiles during his earthly ministry, He would actually be in breech of God's covenant to Abraham. This is why you will find almost no interaction between Jesus and Gentiles during his earthly ministry. His is also why Jesus says the following,
Matt 10:5-6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
A few chapters later Jesus encounters a Gentile woman pleading Him to heal her daughter. Again Jesus says, (paraphrasing) ... "I am not sent at this time to minister to Gentiles", and, "I cannot take the bread (blessings) that belong to the children (Jews) at this time, and give it to the dogs (Gentiles)". (Yes, Gentiles were loosely called 'dogs' in that time since Jews saw them as defiled, lawless and godless idol worshippers.)
Matt 15:24-26 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.
So, the point of this post, is to draw your attention to the fact that there is VERY little in the Old Testament, the four Gospels, and the last 9 Jewish Epistles that is address to and written to us [Gentiles]. Of course we can glean important information from these books for our learning, but when it comes to our gospel and our doctrine (instructions and principles that directs our lives and lifestyles today), it is ALL contained in the writings of Paul, the epistles of Romans to Philemon. If you dismiss Paul's writings, you are dismissing and resisting the very instructions that Jesus Christ Himself gave to the church today.
I leave you with this scripture written by Paul, the [one] apostle to the church, the Body of Christ (Rom.11:13),
1 Cor.14:37-38 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
Lets not be ignorant of Paul's writings, but study them and apply them to your lives and walk worthy of our Lord, (Col.1:9-10).
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