Have you ever thought about some of the challenges the first century church faced? No, I am not talking about persecution, imprisonment, or even physical death, but I am referring to the binding of two groups of people together. Basically, the world of the first century was divided into two distinct groups of people: Jew and Gentile. These two groups did not mix well together. They were kind of like oil and water. Their customs were different, their religions were different, and even their food was different. So imagine what it must have been like when these two groups of people were first coming together as the Church. It was hard, it was difficult. Yes, it is true that these two groups were brought together by God. They were built up together on the foundation of Jesus (Ephesians 2:19-22). That wall of separation had been brought down and those that were far off had been brought near to be together with God and His one united people (Ephesians 2:14-18). But, they were still people. There were still struggles and problems, and people had to learn, change, and grow. God’s plan was perfect, but people were still people.
When we look into Acts 15:1 we see one of the big problems that sometimes came between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Teachers from Judea were teaching that Gentiles had to be circumcised in order to be saved. Physical circumcision and the keeping of the law was a point of contention for many. Things had changed and people had to change with it. I am so thankful that the godly men in Acts 15 saw that the gospel was for all. Physical circumcision cannot compare to the true circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:25-3:1). The law did not and does not offer justification from sin (Romans 3:20). It didn’t matter if a person came from a Jewish or Gentile background. All that mattered was that they obeyed the gospel and that they continued to keep the commands of the Lord (Acts 2:38, 1 John 1:7).
In our day and time we still deal with struggles just like the first century did. No, the division is not Jew and Gentile anymore, but there are still things that sometimes divide us. Sometimes we are divided by age. Older Christians don’t always understand younger Christians and younger Christians don’t always understand older Christians. Sometimes we are divided by occupation or financial status. You have white collar, blue collar, and sometimes even no collar. Division has no place in the Church. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 we read, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
As God’s people we are to focus on the gospel and the commandments of the Lord and put aside things like age, occupation, financial status, nationality, and the countless number of others things that sometimes get in the way of the Church growing together. Oil and water may not ever mix, but God’s family is to be one united body. Let us teach the truth, live godly lives, put away worldly wisdom, and live to honor God.
Derek Broome