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Born King of the Jews, not Head of the Church.

“Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2)

Died King of the Jews, not Head of the Church.

“And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” (Luke 23:38)

Disciples did not preach the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ in their commission while Christ was on Earth, because they did not understand it, and the intent of it was his from them.

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
“For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
“And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
“And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” (Luke 18:31, 34)

The first time our Lord discussed His sufferings with his disciples was Matthew 16:21ff, and they did not understand it.

The disciples (the Twelve Apostles and other Seventy) had already been out preaching a message of a Kingdom to come, but that message did not include the subject of the Messiah's sufferings, because they did not understand it, and it was hid from them.

The ministry of the Twelve during the earthly ministry could not have been the same as their Acts period ministry. After the Ascension was when they fully understood the sufferings, and all doubt was gone.

Resurected and Ascended to be the Head of the Church. "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, "Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, "Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, "Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1"18-23) During Christ's final appearances after His Resurrection, some still doubted. (Matthew 28:17; etc.)

Christ Himself defined His earthly ministry.

“But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24)

That was His commission. “NOT SENT BUT unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:
“And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.” (Romans 15:8, 9)

God's intent to bless both Abraham's seed and the Gentiles was made known at the very same time (Genesis 12:3); and this well-known fact is constantly referred to in the Old Testament. See Genesis 22:18; 26:4; Deuteronomy 32:8; Psalm 18:49; 67:1, 2; 72:17; 117:1; Isaiah 11:10; 49:6; Luke 2:32; Romans 15:8-12.

The Gentiles are not the Church. As Israel was blessed, so would be the Gentile nations. As Israel declined, the opportunities for the Gentiles to know the true and living God also faded.

Had Israel received their Messiah, the benefits of this would have flowed to the world. Israel should have, and could have received Christ. That nation would then have been the evangelistic entity to carry the message to the remainder of the world. There is no knowledge of the Body of Christ propounded in Isaiah 15:9. It is consistent with the priority stature of Israel and the blessing or consequences to the Gentiles. The Church which is Christ's Body is not the subject there.

Reading Acts chapters 2 through seven, and reading carefully through every sermon by any Apostle or preacher there, will reveal exactly who the audience was in every case. At no time did any Apostle address any crowd except “Israel,” “the house of Israel,” or “Ye men of Israel.”

All occurrences (e.g. Pentecost and the special manifestations there) have nothing that is not already consistent with the Old Testament prophecy for Israel. The Apostles were preaching to Israel about things that were to occur for Israel under the condition of repentance as a nation.

“When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: . . . “(Acts 2:22)

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36)

“And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (acts 3:12)

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, . . . (Acts 4:8)

“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” (Acts 4:10)

“For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, . . .” (Acts 4:27)

“And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.” (Acts 5:21)

“Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5:31)

“And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.” (Acts 5:35)

“And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.” (Acts 7:23)

“This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.” (Acts 7:37)

“Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness?” (Acts 7:42)

The entire seven chapters appear to be a continuation of the Gospels. The target population is the Nation of Israel and its leaders, and it is an offer being made to them of restoration and forgiveness, along with the reestablishment of their Davidic economy.

The major difference in the message between the Gospels and the Acts is the truth of a crucified, buried, and resurrected Messiah — READY TO RETURN in their generation if they would repent, according to Acts 3:19-26.