A Biblical Case Against Racial Division

Title: The Biblical Position Against Racism

Read: Acts 15:1-5

Acts 15:1–5 KJV 1900

1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Acts 15:19 KJV 1900

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

OVERVIEW

Racism has plagued society for millennia. All around the world and throughout every time in history, Satan has worked to sow prejudice and division. Christians aren't immune to the sin of racism, and in this lesson, we learn how the first-century church worked through this issue to condemn racism and proclaim the gospel for all people.

GOALS

At the end of this lesson, group members should

Understand the ways that prejudice influenced first-century Christians. Recognize that the Bible condemns racism. See the gospel and the transformation it brings to a heart as the ultimate answer to racism.

Introduction

Racism and prejudice are not new to our culture or our time in history. Throughout the millennia and worldwide, different groups of people have looked down on others. They have regarded others as being inferior, worthless, or somehow not entitled to equal treatment. Every generation has had to face this problem, and just like every other sin, Christians are not exempt from battling racism.

The world battles racism with truly inefficient methods. Some engage in race-baiting-trying to create a division that isn't already present or bring back to life divisions that were dying. Some use the guise of anti-racism to perpetuate violence or attacks on innocent people. These responses bring greater damage to an already serious problem.

Bible-believing Christians must unequivocally condemn racism and prejudice as sins. Indeed, racism counteracts our ability to obey Christ's command to reach all people with the gospel.

Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Jesus did not select some people to hear the gospel and others to be left out. In God’s eyes, everyone in every nation is equal and deserves dignity and respect.

Historically, the church has been diverse. On the day of Pentecost, those who had gathered in Jerusalem represented more than a dozen different nations.

Acts 2:8-11

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, "' Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

The gospel was presented to all of them, and about three thousand people trusted Christ that day and became part of that early church at Jerusalem (Acts 2:41).

Yet, despite our mission and history, there have been times when churches and Christians have failed to live up to what God commands in the areas of racism and prejudice. Some have used the Bible to justify attitudes and actions contrary to God's Word.

We want to study what the Bible says about racism and prejudice and how Christians can lead the way in respect, acceptance, and forgiveness. Regardless of current cultural trends, God’s people should be the greatest examples of love and equal treatment the world can find.

Thankfully, God's Word has much to say on this topic. The Bible gives us specific examples of how the early church dealt directly with this age-old problem. One of those examples is found in Acts 15. From this chapter, we gain clarity on how to apply Bible principles to the sin of racism in the church and in society.

From the beginning, the church was made up of people of different races. As the gospel spread and more Gentiles were converted, issues arose that had to be addressed. Because the early church dealt with racism directly, we have a pattern for applying Bible principles to racism in the church and in society

1. 1st Century Racial Division - The Rise of Prejudice

One of the largest and strongest churches outside of Jerusalem was established in Antioch, modern-day Turkey. This was one of the first places where an intentional and concerted effort was made to reach Gentiles with the gospel.

Despite Peter's early obedience in preaching to the Roman centurion Cornelius (Acts 10), many Jewish Christians focused only on taking the gospel to other Jews. But in Antioch, that pattern was changed. When the church at Jerusalem heard what was going on, they sent Barnabas to see it for himself, and he took Paul with him.

Discussion How does having people from different backgrounds join in the work of God strengthen a church?

Acts 11:25-26

Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

The church at Antioch was an international, diverse church with members and leaders from many countries.

Acts 13:1

Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

In this one verse, we see that the church's leadership was comprised of people from different ethnicities:

• Barnabas was a Levite, a native of Cyprus.

Simeon and Lucius were from Africa.

Cyrene is a city in northern Africa on the Mediterranean Sea, near modern-day Libya. Manaen had been brought up with Herod and was most likely Palestinian. 

Saul was of Jewish birth—a former Pharisee before his salvation.

These people had come from across Africa, Asia, and Europe and gathered together, having heard and believed the gospel message. They did not have things in common culturally, but the Holy Spirit united them.

Even so, the ugly sin of prejudice arose as Jewish believers questioned the legitimacy of the salvation of the Gentile believers.

A. From Believing Pharisees

In Acts 15, we read that believers from Jerusalem went to meet the believers at Antioch. Among the believers from Jerusalem was a sect of Pharisees who had believed in Jesus as their Messiah but still retained the Jewish customs and traditions they had learned growing up.

• slide 1A

Acts 15:5

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

These believers were Christians, but that did not keep them from struggling with issues of racism.

In fact, they went to the believers at Antioch to tell them that they could not be saved unless they kept the law of Moses.

Acts 15:24

These Pharisee believers were rejecting the Gentiles unless the Gentiles became Jews.

Understanding the significance of what was happening helps to have some historical-cultural context. The contempt from Jews toward Gentiles in this day and culture was so sharp that if a Jew bought pottery from a Gentile, he would ceremonially clean it before he used it. Most Jews would not enter the home of a Gentile for any reason.

These Jewish Christians were wrong in their spirit toward the Gentile Christians. This wrong spirit came about because they viewed others through a cultural rather than a biblical lens. But they were also wrong in their theology.

To support their own prejudice, they were trying to add something to faith in Christ as the means of salvation.

B. Toward the Gentiles from Antioch

The racism of the Jewish Christians from Jerusalem was part of the culture they had grown up with. In other words, it was institutionalized racism.

A few chapters earlier, we see that Peter had this kind of prejudice in his heart before God specifically taught him otherwise. In Acts 10, God had to do a good deal of work on Peter to prepare him to present the gospel to the Roman centurion, Cornelius. God showed Peter a vision of unclean animals three times, and told him to eat them.

Peter protested that it would violate Mosaic law, but God told him that there was a more important principle at work. So when Peter met Cornelius’s servants, he went to his home and shared the gospel with him, despite what that meant to him socially and to his culture.

Acts 10:28

One lesson from what God told Peter is that no one is better than anyone else because of where they were born or who their ancestors were, the color of their skin, or the way they were brought up. Everyone is a creation of God, and everyone deserves to be loved, honored, and treated with respect. A Christian who looks down on others for any reason is a disobedient Christian.

Another lesson from Peter's experience is that every Christian is on a journey of spiritual growth. Even the apostle Peter, who boldly preached the gospel and saw three thousand people trust Christ on Pentecost, had to learn to overcome the sin of prejudice.

Trying to demand growth from those who have not yet reached the level we think they should be is seldom effective. Instead, we need to encourage and help those who need to grow. We can present the truth and help them study and reason through it.

But meanwhile, we need to love those still growing in the areas where we see weakness.

Thankfully, Peter did learn to overcome prejudice.

In fact, his perspective became key to the church council that was held in Acts 15.

2. The Church’s Response To Racial Division - The Review of the Church

The dispute between the Jewish and Gentile believers was brought to the church at Jerusalem.

The apostles and leaders of the church at Jerusalem met to settle the issue.

Paul and Barnabas came from Antioch and met with Peter and James (the pastor of the Jerusalem church) and the other church leaders. Acts 15 records this meeting.

Acts 15:6

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

The issue at hand, a question of prejudice, was too important to be settled by human opinion. These leaders knew they needed God’s mind, so they met to seek God's wisdom. They frequently referenced Old Testament Scriptures throughout their deliberations and applied them to the current need.

Don't miss the significance here: these church leaders looked to God’s Word for guidance in this precedent-setting moment of church history.

As Christians, we must always look to Christ and the written Word of God for guidance. We should not be persuaded or guilted into any position by cultural pressure but seek God’s mind.

The mind of God is always revealed in the Word of God. Thus, the Bible must be our guide and final authority for all matters of faith and practice.

This first-century church dealt with a problem of bias in the culture that affected people in the church. Their example of going to the Lord for counsel and reasoning through Scripture is one we should follow.

Acts 15:7-9

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. & And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; ° And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Notice the three points of reasoning Peter followed:

A. The Gentiles Received the Holy Ghost

Peter began the meeting by sharing his testimony of seeing Gentiles saved and pointing to Old Testament Scriptures that revealed the Holy Spirit would be given to believers. Since the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit, he reasoned they were not second-class believers.

Peter had already shared the details of his encounter of preaching the gospel to Cornelius with the church at Jerusalem in Acts 11. In that instance, he also mentioned the significance of these believers receiving the Holy Spirit.

Acts 11:15-17

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?

Peter realized that to maintain the cultural prejudices with which he had been reared would mean fighting against God's plan. So, he abandoned the racism he had been taught and preached the gospel. Now, he advocated for the same course of action for others.

B. Salvation Is by Grace Alone

The second reality that Peter pointed out is that salvation is by grace alone.

A Slide 2B

Acts 15:11

But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Every person who is saved is saved by grace through faith. No exceptions exist for nationality, heritage, race, or anything else. We are all born as sinners. No racial group is free from the sinful nature that is the common condition of all mankind. No people group receives salvation because of their heritage.

Romans 3:22–23 KJV 1900

22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Salvation is only ever a gift that one receives by grace through faith.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

C. There Is No Difference Between Us

In his discourse, Peter pointed out that God put no difference between the Gentiles and the Jews.

People from both groups were saved by grace, and both received the Holy Spirit.

Slide 2C

There is only one race; the human race.

Acts 17:26

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

Every member of this common race is a sinner in need of salvation.

Romans 3:9

What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

Through faith in Christ, we have more in common than differences.

We are, in Christ, not only of the same human race but also part of the same family of God.

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:19 KJV 1900

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

So, for these reasons— that the Gentile believers received the Holy Spirit, that salvation is only by grace, and that God has placed no difference between Jew and Gentile-Peter concluded that the Gentile believers should be received as freely as Jewish believers with no extra litmus tests.

How are racism and prejudice ultimately reconciled according to Ephesians 2:11-22?

3. The Biblical Reasoning - The Reasoning of James

After Peter concluded his statement, Paul and Barnabas shared testimonies of God working through them to reach Gentiles for salvation.

Finally, James, the pastor of the church at Jerusalem, also reasoned through the Scriptures as he ruled on the issue.

It is worth realizing that James was not the disciple of Jesus whom Herod had already martyred. This James was Jesus’s half-brother, who would later write the book of the New Testament that bears his name.

Everyone in that assembly trusted Pastor James because of his devotion to God and the work of the Lord. They recognized that he would base his reasoning on God's plan, not on man's opinion or tradition.

James reached three conclusions that should also inform our response to racism and prejudice today:

A. God Is Calling a People for His Name

Acts 15:13-14

The church’s primary mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. That does not mean, however, that gospel-loving Christians are uninterested in justice. Indeed, most of the changes to institutionalized racism have had Christians as a driving force.

The Christian politician William Wilberforce, encouraged by the pastor John Newton, led the effort to outlaw slavery in the British Empire.

Slide William Wilberforce

William Wilberforce met preachers such as George Whitefield and John Newton as a child, but he turned from these influences and led an ungodly early adult life. At twenty-one, the minimum age required, he became a member of the British Parliament.

Four years later, however, Wilberforce trusted Christ as his Savior. Soon after, he again sought out the pastor he had heard as a child, John Newton, for advice on investing his life for Christ. Newton advised him to stay in parliament and work to abolish slavery.1

In addition to becoming the primary spokesman for the abolition of slavery, Wilberforce labored to advance the gospel. He shared it personally and also supported missionaries in India and Africa, the Sunday School Society, and the Foreign Bible Society.

After fifteen years of constant defeat, slander, and even physical attack, his bill to abolish slavery finally passed by a vote of 283-16.

During a discouraging season in this battle against human trafficking, Wilberforce wrote, "Our motto must continue to be 'perseverance': and ultimately, I trust the Almighty will crown our efforts with success." ≥

One day, as we stand before God's throne, we will be among a multitude of people from every ethnic and linguistic background imaginable.

Revelation 7:9

The diversity of this group gives great glory to God. This group, of course, will be comprised of people who are even now getting saved. Thus, we participate in populating Heaven with diversity by sharing the gospel with everyone.

In the late 1700s, a Christian shoe repairman in England named William Carey began to feel burdened for the people worldwide, represented by the map on his wall, who had not heard the gospel’s message.

Slide William Carey

No one Carey knew was a missionary, and none of the Christians who had influenced him for Christ were missionary-minded. Yet the Holy Spirit of God impressed the reality of the Great Commission on Carey’s heart that he eventually left for India and spent the rest of his forty-two years there preaching the gospel.

When Carey died, he left thousands of believers he had led to Christ, multiple churches he had helped start, and translations of the Bible in over forty languages. He had overcome the reluctant prejudice of his upbringing and recognized that all people deserve to hear the gospel’s message.

The ultimate repudiation of racism is recognizing that because God is gathering a people for His name out of every tribe and tongue, all people deserve to hear the gospel. This is where Pastor James started, but he continued.

B. God Is Calling All Men

As James continued, he quoted from the Old Testament, reminding those in the council that God had promised to bless the Gentiles through the Jews and specifically through the Messiah-Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:15-17

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Salvation is not just for a select few or for one particular group of people. And if God values every race, nationality, language, and people, should not we? If we view others as people for whom Jesus shed His precious blood, how can we hate or despise them? Truly, if we see others as God sees them, we will love and respect everyone, even those who may not love or respect us.

Discussion: How can racism contradict the message and propagation of the gospel?

Missionary Karen Watson understood God's love for people who may not even love us in return. That's why she chose to go to Iraq to provide relief in the name of Jesus. She knew the risk and left a letter with her pastor before leaving.

After Karen was gunned down in the country where she had gone to serve, her pastor read the letter.

"You're only reading this if I died," it began. It continued with gracious words to family and friends and included this simple summary of the following Christ:

"To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory, my reward."3

It's worth remembering that we will spend all eternity worshipping Christ with Christians from different backgrounds, nations, and languages. In Christ, we can be united already.

C. God Is Calling Us to "Trouble Not" Others

After hearing all sides of the issue, James concluded that Jewish believers should not impose their personal practices on others.

Acts 15:19

Although James' instruction is primarily given in the church context, the principle applies to how we treat people in all of our relationships and interactions. We should not stir up trouble or impose undue burdens on others.

Our heart should be for all people to be saved.

To that end, we should boldly, consistently, and passionately share the gospel’s truth. But we should not add to the gospel requirements for people to conform to a specific culture or set of preferences to be saved.

Furthermore, we should make a concerted effort to share the truth graciously. There will be those who try to silence us by claiming offense, and that must not move us. But we should be loving to all people. It's okay if we are hated for our position, but we should not give reason for offense by our disposition.

As the Jerusalem council concluded, messengers sent a letter back to the church at Antioch to reassure the believers there that all were not just tolerated but welcome to the fellowship.

This message of graciousness was well-received in the first century and is today when Christians faithfully practice it.

Acts 15:31

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

Conclusion

The Acts 15 account of this Jerusalem council is not only a record of what happened in the first century but also worthy of application today.

From this occurrence, we learn the importance of dealing with racism and how to do so.

The principles that apply to racism and prejudice are not only in Acts 15 but throughout Scripture. The Word of God provides guidelines for addressing this contentious issue of our day.

As we close this study, let's briefly highlight seven biblical principles that apply to every Christian in every culture dealing with racism.

Suggestion: To add visual variety, write each of these principles on a poster board sign with a stick—made to look like a picketing sign- and ask group members to come up and hold each as you present it.

Seven Biblical Principles for Responding to Racism

1. We are all one race.

Although social scientists and demographers use the word race to refer to different ethnicities and backgrounds, technically, there is only one race— the human race.

Acts 17:26

No group of people is better than others because of their skin color, ancestry, nation of birth, or anything else. All of us stand equal before God.

He made all of us, and He values all of us. We have no legitimate basis for feeling superior or inferior to other people.

2. We are all created in the image of God.

Not only did God make all of us, but He made all of us in His image. The person that we judge, discriminate against, or look down upon is just as much made in God's image as we are.

Genesis 1:26

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Though we would not say it out loud, the implication of racism and prejudice is that God made a mistake with some group of people, and that we know better than He does. This is wrong.

3. God is no respecter of persons.

Every one of us stands before God as equal in His eyes. He knows all about our differences because He made us. But none of those differences affect our value or worth. He sees who we are regardless of our race, wealth, profession, social standing, or anything else. People may treat others differently because of those differences, but God does not. And since He does not respect persons, neither should we.

Romans 2:11

For there is no respect of persons with God.

James 2:1

My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

One of the ugliest aspects of the sin of racism is that it disrespects people for elements of God's special creation in their lives over which they have no control over ancestry or physical features.

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball when he took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Despite suffering a great deal of abuse and vocal opposition, he continued to pursue his profession regardless of what people said about him.

Quote: "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me ... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being." -Jackie Robinson

No one should be able to look at a Christian and honestly say that they have disrespected others for their skin color, background, wealth, or social status.

4. We are commanded to love our neighbors.

Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan as an answer to a question about the biblical command to love our neighbors as ourselves. The question was, "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:29).

In Jesus' parable, the wounded man by the side of the road had already had a priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but the despised Samaritan was willing to take the risk to stop and help a stranger. He didn't ask what the man thought of his people; he just helped.

James 2:8

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

The key in loving our neighbor is not who they are, but who we are in Christ.

5. We have the privilege to bear one another's burdens.

We may not always understand what people from another culture or background have experienced.

And, we may not always feel understood. It's wise for all Christians to recognize their limited experience and listen to understand.

But even if we don't fully understand, we can care.

We can show kindness to others in response to the grace God has bestowed upon us.

It is difficult to fully understand what people from another race or culture may have experienced. There are times when we all feel that others do not understand our lives. But we do not have to understand to care sincerely. We show kindness to others in response to the grace God has bestowed upon us.

Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Quote: "Compassion is your hurt in my heart." — original author unknown

If we care about others, we will listen to understand and bear each other’s burdens, even if we do not have the same experiences or understanding.

6. God desires all to be saved.

There is no way to be an effective gospel witness to people whom you despise or look down on.

Those who need our message most will not listen if they see we are prejudiced against them. Christ commanded us to take the gospel to all people.

And just as the first-century church had to come Racial Division if they were to spread the gospel, so must we.

Acts 1:8

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Another application of this truth is that the great way we can help those who are not like us is to share the gospel with them. Yes, we live in a world that is rife with racism, but we know the healing message of the gospel.

Quote: "The voice of sin is loud, but the voice of forgiveness is louder." —D. L. Moody

If we really want to make a difference in our society, the biggest change comes when people receive the gospel. While peacefully marching through the streets for change may be helpful at times, it is worth considering whether we are equally passionate about bringing the gospel to people one by one. Protests make a statement; sharing the gospel makes a difference.

7. We are brothers through Christ.

When people receive Christ as their Savior, He makes them new from the inside out. The gospel literally transforms their life in every aspect—including prejudices and hate.

The gospel is the message of reconciliation—between God and man and, by extension, between man and his fellow man. The fact that Jesus paid for the sins of every man makes the ground level at the foot of the cross. Then, the love of God in our hearts gives us love for all people and destroys the sinful urges of bias, discrimination, and racism.

We see this, not only in the church at Antioch, but also in churches throughout the New Testament, including the church at Galatia.

Galatians 3:28

Writing to the church at Colosse, Paul expounded on this truth, pointing out that the unity of the gospel includes forgiveness and reconciliation between brothers in Christ:

Colossians 3:11-14

Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Our response to issues like racism must not be determined by what is popular in society or what other people may think, but by what God directs.

The world's answer to racism often stirs up hatred. Sometimes it is a message of returning hatred for hatred. The ultimate answer to racism, however, is the gospel and its resulting transfor-mation.