Jewish People in Christ's day and the rapture

Dr. Couch, I have two questions: The Jews who accepted Christ when He was ministering, as shown in the Gospels, would they have become part of the church and then been raptured if that event had taken place? And, I was disappointed to hear you say that the book of John was written to the Gentiles. I understood it was written to the Jews with information for Christians today. What do you say? ANSWER:  All of those who came to Christ during His ministry on earth were placed into His spiritual body, the body of Christ, thus they became part of the church at Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. And yes, of course, they would have been raptured.    You said you were disappointed that I said the book of John was written for Gentiles, and not for the Jews. You need not listen to me but study for yourself what the book of John shows us. First of all, I have translated the entire book of John in Greek, and in graduate school had several courses on that book. You won't find any other scholars who have had that much exposure and study in John. So I know what I'm talking about, but as I say, study the book yourself.    The way we know it was written to Gentiles is because of the many passages where words are translated for a Gentile audience to understand. For example:    "The Law was given through Moses ..." (John 1:17) The Jews knew this; Gentiles may not have.    "The word Rabbi means Teacher ..." (1:38).    "Messiah (Maschioch) is translated as the Christ (Christos) ..." (1:41).    "Cephas which is translated as Peter ..." (1:42).    "Siloam which is translated as Sent ..." (9:7).    "In Hebrew, Rabboni which means Teacher ..." (20:16).    "The ravine of Kidron, where there was a garden ..." (18:1). Most Jews knew this.    The Greek word "translate" is a word that means "to expound, explain, interpret, to translate from a foreign tongue." It comes from the Greek word "Hermes" who was the god of language, speech, writing, and eloquence. The word was transferred into the Greek language meaning to "interpret."    Because the book was aimed at the Gentiles does not mean that the Jews were excluded from reading it. They were not. Also, remember that old John in his late life was the pastor of the church at Ephesus, thus it would make sense that he would write a book that his Gentile audience could understand.    I studied the book of John in Greek at the university 51 years ago, and then again (in Greek) 49 years ago. Then I took it in English Bible in graduate school about 50 years ago. I've been around the block with the book of John!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (10/11)