The passage in Matthew 10:5-6 where Jesus instructs his apostles not to go to the Gentiles ("Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel") is a specific instruction for a limited time and purpose. It's crucial to understand the context of this passage within the broader narrative of the Gospels and the Book of Acts.
Here's a breakdown of why this initial restriction doesn't negate the eventual widespread inclusion of Gentiles:
* A Temporary Mission: This instruction was given at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. It was part of a focused effort to reach the Jewish people first. This makes sense considering Jesus was Jewish, and the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah were primarily directed towards Israel. He wanted them to have the first opportunity to recognize him.
* Fulfillment of Prophecy: The prophets of the Old Testament also spoke of a day when the Gentiles would come to know the one true God of Israel. Jesus himself hints at this later in the Gospels.
* Jesus' Later Actions and Teachings: As Jesus' ministry progressed, he interacted with and healed Gentiles (e.g., the Centurion's servant in Matthew 8, the Syrophoenician woman in Mark 7). These interactions demonstrated his compassion and foreshadowed the future inclusion of Gentiles. In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), after his resurrection, Jesus explicitly instructs his disciples to "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations," removing any restriction about reaching Gentiles.
* The Book of Acts: The Book of Acts chronicles the spread of Christianity after Jesus' ascension. Initially, the apostles primarily preached to Jews. However, the Holy Spirit led them to expand their ministry to Samaritans (Acts 8) and then to Gentiles (Acts 10). The conversion of Cornelius, a Roman centurion, is a pivotal moment, demonstrating God's acceptance of Gentiles. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) formally debated and affirmed that Gentile converts did not need to adhere to Jewish Law.
* Paul's Ministry: The Apostle Paul was specifically called to be the "apostle to the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13). His missionary journeys throughout the Roman Empire led to the establishment of numerous Gentile churches.
In summary, the instruction in Matthew 10:5-6 was a temporary directive related to the initial phase of Jesus' ministry. The overall trajectory of Jesus' teachings, the prophecies of the Old Testament, and the events recorded in the Book of Acts demonstrate that God's plan always included the salvation of both Jews and Gentiles. The Great Commission, given after the resurrection, definitively removed any restriction on preaching to all nations.