Tag: Gentiles

Imperfection And God’s Plan

Carl Pollard

Imperfect people have been called by a perfect God. Our imperfection can hinder the church’s unity, contaminate our own faith, and corrupt our relationship with God as well as with each other. What steps can we take to make sure our humanity doesn’t pollute the unity of Christ’s body? In Romans 15 we find four tips that Paul gives us on how we can achieve unity in Christ. 

We can find perfect unity in Christ if we: 

  • Serve One Another
  • Accept Each Person (As Christ did) 
  • Join Together in Glorifying God 
  • Have the Same Mind

This unity in Christ leads to stronger relationships with each other. Our healthy relationships with each other can help us achieve our designed end. When we are unified in mind, our weaknesses and imperfections are minimized. If we want to accomplish the tasks that God has set before us, we must be unified as a church body–a body that is connected by a shared goal.

God in His infinite wisdom knew that we wouldn’t always get along, so He gave us His word to help us in our relationships with each other. We could never achieve unity if it wasn’t for God’s Word. It is the source of unity and wisdom. 

God has always had a plan for His creation. He wants every person to be saved and have access to salvation. Whether it was through the Patriarchal Law, Mosaic Law, Moral Law, or the Christian dispensation, mankind has always had a means to be saved. 

But the Jewish Christians didn’t agree with God’s decision to include the Gentiles. 

Romans 15:8-12 explains why everyone has access to salvation. The Jews had a hard time letting go of their background. They didn’t see it as right to let Gentiles into the church. But Paul tells them they’re wrong. In fact, Paul uses writings the Jews were familiar with. He says, 

“For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

God’s plan from the beginning was to include the Gentiles. The early church was divided because the Jews had their own ideas about who could be a Christian and who could not. If we wish to have unity, we must recognize God’s plan. We must respect and follow God’s plan rather than our own. The problem with humans is that each person usually thinks his or her own ideas are the best. Every one of us has our own ideas. We have an opinion on just about every little thing. 

So how do we get a church body that is filled with many different ideas and opinions to be unified? By following the plans of someone Who is greater than us. God’s plan is flawless and perfect. If we want to have unity in our relationships we must recognize God’s plan for His church. We should see God as the ultimate authority. We should submit to His plan understanding that He knows what is best for His creation. 

The Jews Didn’t want to include the Gentiles because it wasn’t what THEY had in mind. Paul reminds them that it isn’t up to them to decide, and that God has ALWAYS longed for EVERY person to come to salvation. 

Why is this important for us? I’ve never heard anyone in the church complain about Gentiles. So whats the application for us? We should be thankful that God wanted Gentiles in the church because thats exactly what we are. If God didn’t include the Gentiles, we would never be a part of the church. 

These verses should move us to be grateful that God wanted us. They should also serve as a warning to obey God’s commands over our own. Unity in Christ is created when we recognize God’s plan.

Fearless

Dale Pollard

It began with just a few men. They didn’t know exactly what kind of damage they were about to inflict on their own reputation— for all eternity. There’s an intense account found in Acts 15 where we’re introduced to  “some men” and they’re on their way from Judea. They begin to teach,

 “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

 Paul and Barnabas rise to the challenge and they debate them fearlessly, but the damage had already been done. The argument had  not only confused them but it stirred up the entire group to the point that it was decided to take matters to the very top. Off they went to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 

HERE’S WHAT WENT DOWN

Paul and Barnabas hadn’t lost faith and in fact, they proclaimed what God had done for the Gentiles to all who would listen on their trip. The news of God’s grace to all races and nations brought them great joy. In Jerusalem the apostles and elders had gathered to deal with the conflict. It didn’t take long for the group to separate into two teams with two different beliefs about God’s will for us all. It was at this moment where Peter stands up and begins to speak. He explains that God knows the heart of all of us. He’s always known this! 

HERE’S HOW IT HAPPENED 

The Spirit had descended on the apostles to prove that there is no discrimination between Jews and Gentiles. The demand for proof is always in our hearts, and so the Spirit demonstrated miraculous powers to give credence. Peter would explain that under the Jewish law, even Moses and the greats couldn’t bear the load. It wasn’t sustainable, and it wasn’t meant to last. 

It’s verse twelve that gives one some additional insight. It says,

 “And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done though them among the Gentiles.” 

HERE’S THE POINT

How do we solve our conflicting views that spring up in our midst? There’s only one effective way to do so and that’s to take our matters of division to the top. Not preachers, teachers, deacons, or elders, but to the very top. But if God is going to speak, we’ve got to be quiet. The assembly went silent. Everyone there, no matter what their belief decided to listen. Speaking over each other never solved a problem and this is true on a congregational level, and a personal one.

HERE’S A QUESTION 

 How many times do we fall victim to the bias assembly of thoughts in our own minds when reading God’s word? It can be difficult to hush those voices, but it’s when we do that real, positive change finally has a chance to take root. 

Gentle To The Gentile Dogs

Dale Pollard

Mark 7.25-29 

“…a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. ‘First let the children eat all they want,’ he told her, ‘for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the little dogs.’ ‘Lord,’ she replied, ‘even the little dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’  Then he told her, ‘For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.’”

In the 1st century, many Jews often referred to Gentiles as “dogs” in a very derogatory way. To the Greeks, the word dog meant a “shameless and audacious woman.” The term was used exactly the same way that the worldly use a word meaning “female dog” in the modern era. To the Jews it was equally a term of contempt. 

Jesus did not use the normal word for “dogs” that the Jews used. Instead He softened it into little dogs (v.27) essentially reminding the woman of her place as a Gentile, yet not wanting to push her away. 

“In Greek, diminutives are characteristically affectionate. A diminutive is a suffix which is added to a word to show affection or to indicate that something is small. For example, ‘-ie’ and ‘-ette’ are diminutives,” – (Clarke) 

Today it would be like changing the word “dog” to  “doggie.”

He softened a derogatory term so that she would understand what He was trying to say and not push her away. 

Jesus took the sting out of His words. 

Notice how she responds with acceptance. She refers to herself by using the same word “little dog.” 

If the woman had responded, “Who are you calling a dog?” she would not have received from Jesus what her daughter needed. 

  1. Her humble, 
  2. faith-filled submission to Jesus brought the victory. 

Nothing appealed to our Lord more than faith combined with humility. 

Heb. 12:14 

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

If Jesus could avoid conflict— He did. 

Ex: I Peter 2.23 

“who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously”

A Quiet Assembly

Tuesday’s Column: Dale Mail

Dale Pollard

It began with just a few men. They didn’t know exactly what kind of damage they were about to inflict on their own reputation, for all of eternity. The account is found in Acts 15 with “some men”  going down from Judea and teaching, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Paul and Barnabas debated them fearlessly, but the damage had been done. The argument had so successfully confused and stirred up the assembled group that it was decided to take matters up the command chain. They were off to meet with the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 

Paul and Barnabas hadn’t lost faith and in fact, they proclaimed what God had done for the Gentiles to all who would listen on their trip. The news of God’s grace to all races and nations brought the listeners a great joy. In Jerusalem, the apostles and elders had already gathered to deal with the fierce conflict. It didn’t take long for the group to separate into two teams each holding two different beliefs about God’s will for all. It was at this moment where Peter stands up and begins to speak. He explains that God knows the heart of all of us and He’s always known. 

The spirit had descended on the apostles to prove that there is no discrimination between Jews and Gentiles. The demand for proof is always in our hearts, and so the Spirit demonstrated miraculous powers to give credence. Peter would explain that under the Jewish law, even Moses and the greats couldn’t bear the load. It wasn’t sustainable, and it wasn’t meant to last. 

It’s verse twelve that gives one some additional insight. It says, “And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done though them among the Gentiles.” How do we solve our conflicting views that spring up in our midst? There’s only one effective way to do so and that’s to take our matters of division to the top. Not preachers, teachers, deacons, or elders, but to the very top.

If God is going to speak, we’ve got to be quiet. The assembly went silent. Everyone there, no matter what their belief was—decided to listen. Speaking over each other never solved a problem and this is true on a congregational level, as well as a personal one. How many times do we fall victim to the assembly of the thoughts and bias in our own minds when reading God’s word? It can be difficult to hush those voices, but it’s when we do that real change has a chance to take root. 

Avoiding The Samaritans

Friday’s Column: Supplemental Strength


Brent Pollard

I recall a decision in 1999 to take the “scenic route” home from the Richmond (Virginia) metropolitan area, where I had attended a lectureship, to my home in Coffee County, Tennessee. West Virginia and Kentucky indeed proved to be beautiful states, but I added about three hours to my trip. I was exhausted. I decided to stick to the fastest route in the future.

In New Testament times, there were many routinely taking the longer route. No, they were not enjoying the scenery. According to Charles F. Pfeifer, author of Baker’s Bible Atlas:

“Prejudice was so great that many Jews chose to detour across the Jordan and travel through Peraea, rather than go through the land of the despised Samaritan, when making trips from Galilee to Judah.”  (Pfeifer 1)

It appears a trip through Peraea was more palatable since it was a district inhabited by Jews during New Testament times. I wonder how many hours this detour added to their journeys?

Jesus made a point by traveling through Samaria on this one occasion. What was that point?  Everyone needs Him. I imagine this point seems less significant compared to the “meatier” portions of John 4. Typically, we focus on His discourse with the woman at the well. Yet, note verse 4. Translations vary in the wording, of course, but the gist is that Jesus had to travel through Samaria.  (I do not deny that His rationale may have been logistical, to save time. Regardless of the exact reasoning, however, Jesus intended for the Samaritans to hear the Gospel. We see early Christians taking the Gospel there in Acts 8. Therefore, Jesus provides an example by speaking to the Samaritan woman, showing Samaritans deserve the Truth.

That the Gospel is for all was a hard lesson for even the Apostles to learn. Consider the example of Peter. The Lord chose Peter to preach to the first Gentile convert to the Faith (cf. Acts 10.9-15,28). Even so, Paul had to later rebuke Peter for avoiding the company of Gentiles for the Jews who had recently come from Jerusalem (cf. Galatians 2.11-14). Can this not also be a hard lesson for us? In our era of identity politics, it is easy to feel uncomfortable among those who do not share our demographic. Thus, we go out of our way to avoid others with whom we share less in common. We avoid others because they have more or less melanin in their skin. Socioeconomic difference likewise becomes a justification for avoidance. Maybe we don’t want to associate with someone less educated than ourselves. Whatever the reason, we may go out of our way to avoid such persons.

It is time for us to stop the unnecessary detours we take to avoid contacting those making us “uncomfortable.” Everybody needs Jesus. The Lord expects that you and I must go through Samaria too!

Sources Cited:

1 “New Testament Palestine.” Baker’s Bible Atlas, by Charles F. Pfeiffer, Baker Book House Co., 1961, pg. 191.