When reading and learning from scripture we must always be cognizant of the context in which the scriptures were given. Considering the books of the New Testament, we have a collection of various historical accounts in the Gospels & Acts, and letters by the Apostles written to various people and churches. When we consider the context of these books, we must not consider the context to ONLY apply to the people of whom they are given. This would be too extreme a viewpoint of context. Most of the New Testament is letters written to very specific churches and people to address very specific issues, and to teach them personally. If we were to use the extreme viewpoint of context, then almost none of the books of the New Testament would apply to the followers of Yeshua from the early church until today. ,

God's Word is a living Word [Hebrews 4:12], and can be applied to people of all times. Many of the books of the Old Testament were written specifically for the children of Israel at the time. But the New Testament writers and Yeshua Himself claimed many of these scriptures, originally given to Israel, as applying to Yeshua Himself, His followers, and the church. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." [2 Timothy 3:16]

This also applies to Yeshua's Words to His disciples. Yeshua taught His disciples. But what He taught them also applies to anyone who desires to follow Him. If we were to apply the extreme form of context to Yeshua's direct Words, then most of what He said would not apply to us because they were specific teachings and responses to inquiries of His disciples and others. I think all of us agree that we cannot apply such an extreme application of context to scripture. Yet that is exactly what many people do when they study scripture.

In John 16:33 Yeshua told His disciples that in the world they would have tribulation, but be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Don't these words of encouragement apply to all who follow Him? Or does this only apply to the disciples because Yeshua was speaking to them personally. And when Yeshua prayed for his disciples he said, " Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me." [John 17:7-8] Are the words that were given by God through Yeshua only applicable for the disciples to believe, or for all to believe?

Assuming that the context of this prayer in John 17 only applies to the disciples is even refuted within the prayer itself. Yeshua prays: "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me." [John 17:20-23] To understand that the context of this prayer goes beyond just the disciples is also seen in the promise of John 17. In Rev 3:10 we see the same promise with the same condition to be worthy of the promise, and both are Yeshua's Words given through the very same writer. This is detailed my previous post: Link to "The Promise" 4/26/04

So we should not arbitrarily disregard a particular passage of scripture as not applicable because it was given to a specific person, group, church, etc. Instead, we should search the scriptures to see if there is more to be revealed on a particular subject, or understand how a word given to someone else in a different time might apply to us in our time.

Shalom, Chris AKA Prophbuff