Division


"On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family" (Acts 4:5-6).

Only days before this moment, Jesus was with his disciples on the mount before he left them and ascended into heaven; it was only a short time ago that Jesus exhorted his followers to preach the gospel to all people because all authority had been given to him exclusively.

Shortly after Christ's ascension, the day of Pentecost arrived and the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles - former Jews - to speak the truth boldly, accompanied with miraculous signs and wonders. Within days of the first great sermon preached by Peter where 3,000 souls were added to the multitude of the saints (Acts 2), Peter and John find themselves harassed and imprisoned by the same blaspheming Jews that had crucified their risen Lord because, again, 5,000 souls were added after the events of Acts 3.

In Acts 4, Luke (the author of Acts) states something remarkable in regards to the arrest of Peter and John. He writes, "On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together...." It didn't take long for the sword to divide the believing Jews and the unbelieving Jews. These Jewish rulers and elders and scribes were not the rulers and elders and scribes of the apostles. The apostles, having received the Holy Spirit, now finally recognized what Jesus had been saying to them along: "You are mine, and I have lost none of you, but the religious leaders are children of the devil."

These apostles, while still ethnic Jews and obedient to the laws and customs of Jewish society, were not a part of the unbelieving Jewish mob any longer. They had been separated from them and were, from the day of Pentecost onward, duolos of Jesus Christ. These apostles and all future believers were now bondservants of their Master, Jesus Christ, having been divorced from their shackles to Judaism.

It is important for us to recognize this for our own age. A Judeo-Christian ethos is a made-up unity. The only thing Christianity shares in common with Judaism is the Old Testament; however, Christians have the fulfillment and correct interpretation of everything the Old Testament (Hebrew: Tanakh) recorded:

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). 

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me..." (John 5:39).

The apostles understood that it would be sinful to yoke together two unlike things. The Christian convert can no longer shake hands in agreement with the unbelieving Jew.

Likewise, we must live with the same mind. Christ's heart is to redeem his people, to show them mercy, grace, pity, and to powerfully transform them from sinner to saint. Softening the truth to create a false unity between believers and unbelievers is damning. If it is the sick who need a doctor, then let them first be made aware of their sickness. Do not call what is sick healthy and unite the healthy with the sick in order to avoid hurt feelings. Instead, allow the gospel's division to reveal the kindness of God in Christ for sinners so that they might be drawn across the aisle and experience the forgiveness of the loving Savior. Then, true unity among the redeemed will be enjoyed, to the glory of God alone.

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