Biblical Archaeological Review has been promoting a new book, "Partings: How Judaism and Christianity Became Two." Talked about in the book of Acts, it seems almost tragic that people that claim to worship the same God would take divergent paths. Yet, the history behind it and the motives can teach us a lot. It is no secret, that Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities clashed. Even Flavius Josephus, the famous Jewish-Roman Historian records this in "Jewish Antiquities, 18.3.3 §63." The first converts mentioned in the gospels and Acts are Jewish, yet, it is not long before the old familiar clash comes up in Acts 4 and once again threats arise. By Acts 6 not many years distant from Acts 2 (3-6 yrs max) physical hostility becomes prominent again, and by Acts 7 hatred and killing rear its ugly head again. Needless to say, the hostility is escalating. The beginning of Acts 8 already sees some believers fleeing the hostilities into the outer provinces, yet they are still cohesively meeting in the synagogues. While it seems that this is the norm for a while, in Acts 10 there seems to be the sense of a line that is crossed, when Peter teaches a gentile Roman Centurion and he gives his life to Christ. There are a number of things that happen at this point, Saul of Tarsus is converted, and a friction begins to fester within the believers in Jerusalem over Cornelius' conversion. In the meantime, James is killed by Herod Agrippa and Peter is arrested. In the meantime the spreading of the gospel has traveled and Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch Pisidia where they encountered the former jealousy that Jesus encountered and that brought about Stephen's death. It is at this point in Acts 13:45,46, that the line seems to form and sever; "But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles." There are Jewish believers and Gentile believers. While many Jewish believers still meet in the synagogues and together, the alienation of Gentile converts despite the decision made within the gathering in Jerusalem seems to form a wedge.
Why is this important? It is important because it helps us to understand better the character that the Lord wishes us to have toward others and because it shows us what unloving, uncaring, selfish behavior, hatred and evil cause. It put Jesus on a cross, beheaded James, imprisoned Peter and lead to the persecution and deaths of many Christians. It happened then, and it can happen now. It also shows us, what will happen throughout history, even to modern time, when man does not love or follow the God he proclaims to love. It shows us in panoramic history of the warning that Jesus himself gave, " And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. (Mt.24:12)." It shows the fulfillment of Paul's words, a former persecutor of Christians who had lived this path and changed, "God's Spirit clearly says that in the last days many people will turn from their faith. They will be fooled by evil spirits and by teachings that come from demons. They will also be fooled by the false claims of liars whose consciences have lost all feeling. (1 Tim.4:1,2)."
This then is an important question, on which side of history and scripture am I? You have zeal for God? Fantastic! But, is your zeal helping to build God's house or tear it down? Do your words speak of grace? or do they spew forth hatred, dissension, jealousy and death?
Jim
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