Matthew 10:5

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans.

These words prove that the commission Jesus here gave the Twelve pertained only to them and that special mission and is far different from the commission later given to the entire church (Matthew 28:18-20). Therefore, requirements Jesus made of the Twelve on that occasion should not be construed as mandatory upon God's ministers today. The church is commanded to preach to "all nations"; the apostles were not sent to Gentiles or Samaritans. This view has prevailed in the church from the very earliest times. Tertullian said, "We maintain that this belongs specially to the persons of the apostles, and to their times and circumstances."[1] The purpose of their going forth was to counteract the poisonous campaign of the Pharisees and to arouse Israel to the acknowledgment and reception of their true King.