Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?
Summary: Disagreements take many forms. Some result in physical conflict, others are a test of wills.
Why is Paul being persecuted?
Is he reviled for the same reason the Apostles in Jerusalem were reviled and persecuted?
Let’s do a quick review.
Jesus was persecuted because … well, wait a minute. That is not so simple to answer, is it?
Before Jesus started his ministry, John the Baptist began his. Socially, the priests and Pharisees had the most status and power after the governors. Below them were the common people. Below the “common people” of Jerusalem and Judea were the people of Galilee. In particular, Nazareth was considered the lowest of the low (John 1:46). Out of this town came a man called Jesus.
He did everything well (Mark 7:37). People tended to flock to him, which alarmed those in power. Even before Jesus began his ministry, John the Baptist drew crowds and the attention of the people in power.
People in power don’t like it when their power is threatened. This is one reason that Jesus was crucified. He had a kind of power that the Pharisees could not compete with or understand. On top of that, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, and he was winning the hearts and minds of the people.
The Apostles who remained after Jesus rose from the dead presented the same threat that Jesus had presented. These men believed the Messiah had come and that Jesus was that person. On top of that, they were doing the same kind of miracles Jesus had done! People were listening to them and believing what they said.
People are power. The more people who follow you, the more “power” you have. The same was true then, just as it is now.
The people who persecuted the Apostles tried to retain power for the old covenant ways. They didn’t want people to believe that the Messiah had come. The people who persecuted Paul were these same people, but there was another group, too, who had a bone to pick with Paul. It just happened to be a different bone than the Pharisees picked on.
When Jews believed in Jesus, that meant they saw Jesus as part of their history and covenant with God. The Jews who believed in Jesus did not suddenly say, “Yay! We don’t have to be Jewish anymore!” That never happened. Instead, they saw believing in Jesus as an extension of their Jewish faith.
Paul’s problem was that some of these people didn’t get the memo that Peter did (Acts 10). The Lord showed Peter that all foods were clean and that the Holy Spirit could come upon anyone who believed, Jew or Gentile. No restrictions, no exceptions.
These people believed that God wanted Gentile believers to be like Jewish believers, even to the point of having the males be circumcised. They persecuted Paul not because he believed in Jesus, but because he believed differently than they did.
Paul is angry and frustrated because these people had “cut in” on the believers in Galatia and were confusing the Galatians about what it means to be a believer in Jesus. His anger is righteous but also tempered by the knowledge that this is not a battle against the church but rather a battle within the church (Ephesians 6:12).
Application: Stay focused on Jesus. Don’t let distractions draw us into bitterness.
Food for Thought: How would Christianity be different today if every Christian kept their eyes on Jesus?
I think there are those in the world that view Christianity as “just another religion.” Whereas they may meet or see individuals or local churches walking in the Spirit, they do not see the unified body of Christ being “worthy of the calling to which we have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” If every believer kept their eyes on Jesus, every church would be a beacon of light to the world, and collectively, Christianity as a whole would embody the power of Christ.
Ephesians 4: 1-7
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
Nicely said, Chris!
Thank you!!
How would Christianity be different today if every Christian kept their eyes on Jesus?
I would suggest, true Christianity is the same today as it has been since the moment the first follower of Jesus received Him in faith, and we became a collection of imperfect beings who have chosen to receive and serve our perfect God.
Matthew 5:15, Jesus teaches: Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
2 Peter 1:3-10, God had Peter write: God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and integrity. 4 Through his glory and integrity he has given us his promises that are of the highest value. Through these promises you will share in the divine nature because you have escaped the corruption that sinful desires cause in the world. 5 Because of this, make every effort to add integrity to your faith; and to integrity add knowledge; 6 to knowledge add self-control; to self-control add endurance; to endurance add godliness; 7 to godliness add Christian affection; and to Christian affection add love. 8 If you have these qualities and they are increasing, it demonstrates that your knowledge about our Lord Jesus Christ is living and productive. 9 If these qualities aren’t present in your life, you’re shortsighted and have forgotten that you were cleansed from your past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, use more effort to make God’s calling and choosing of you secure.
If you keep doing this, you will never fall away.
Our Lord has called and fully equipped, empowered each believer to effectively live in His will as an example of His glory to all within our sphere of influence on this earth. Christianity exists within each true believer and is seen by this world to the degree we submit to and allow Christ in us to minister to all around us.
Ron,
I love your conclusion: “… [Christianity] is seen by this world to the degree we submit to and allow Christ in us to minister to all around us.”
So true!
Obviously, it would be much better if every believer kept their eyes on Jesus all the time. And we are called to so do (Hebrews 12: 1 – 2). But I could also ask the question, “How would my life be different today if I always kept my eyes on Jesus?” I can bemoan the state of Christianity in the US, but the starting place is clear when I look in the mirror.
Brother Rich,
You point us to the beginning, the first step, the starting point of the journey to Unity.
Thank you!