The Prejudice of the Church

Introduction

One of the earliest problems in the church was the problem of people being prejudice.

This word first came about between 1250 and 1300. It stems from the Latin word praejudicium which means “prejudgement.” A more formal definition is “an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought or reason.”

Acts 15:1 NIV84

1 Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

A form of prejudice is taking place here. In other words, “If you are not like me, you are not saved.” Notice what happens as a result. There is a prejudice-causing disruption.

Prejudice-Causing Disruption

The prejudice that is coming out is the idea that the Gentiles had to start doing the customs laid out by the law of Moses. Just to be clear, this is not talking about the Ten Commandments. Rather, it is pointing to the ritualistic law and practices that included circumcision, food laws and other guidelines for living. As a result, the disruption comes from a misplaced identity.

Misplaced Identity

The Judaizers had a hard time believing the Gentile could be saved without accepting the Jewish ways. Let’s put this in a more modern way of thought. We often judge people because they are not like us. For example, someone might be a different race or ethnic than we are and that conjures up a whole list of differences in our minds. Why is that? Psychologists might tell us that we do this because of a learned habit. Perhaps we have been taught that we are better than someone else. It could also be the result of a defense mechanism because of some childhood drama. Ultimately, it could be the result of having low self-esteem and the way you feel better is by prejudging another person. The truth of the matter is we are prejudice because we do not fully understand our identity. When we are in Christ, we have a new identity that should enhance our self-esteem. One of the first teachings I did on Wednesday nights here was to help you see who you are in Christ. We went through the Book of Ephesians doing what I called “I AM Statements.” This was simply personalizing the Book of Ephesians. Everywhere Paul addressed the Ephesians, we could turn that into a statement about ourselves if we are believers and followers of Jesus. For example, Ephesians 1:1-4

Ephesians 1:1–4 (NIV84)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

The “I am Statements” from those 4 verses would be:

I am a saint.

I am faithful in Christ Jesus.

I am blessed.

I am chosen.

I am holy.

I am blameless in His sight.

I am reminding you of this study because we need a good dose of understanding who we are in Christ and how we should take our misplaced identity and put in the identity of who Christ has made us to be!

When we mistaken our identity in Christ, it will be based on a misinterpreted ideology.

Misinterpreted Ideology

The Judaizers felt they still had to do religion. They strongly felt that if it wasn’t being done their way, it could not be done. The old adage, “my way or the highway!” The problem with that is their way was an ideology that was based on self and not a Savior. Even though these Judaizers could tell you that they had come to a belief in Jesus Christ as the Messiah, they continually believed in practicing the rituals of religion. Romans 3:28

Romans 3:28 NIV84

28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

In fact, observing the law is something that is man made.

Man-Made Intelligence

Let me explain it this way. We are in the age, whether you like it or not, of artificial intelligence. It is something man made and man instigated. If you think about it, religion is a type of man made intelligence. Acts 15 shows what happens when man made religion tries to the take the place of grace.

Not is there prejudice-causing disruption, it leads to prejudice-causing division.

Prejudice-Causing Division

Acts 15:2 NIV84

2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Dispute

The Greek word for dispute is stasis. It means strife and insurrection. Do you know what happens when strife and insurrection take over? Just look back to the last time you disagreed with someone. Maybe you had a political conversation lately that did not go well. Maybe something has got you upset about things at church. An unresolved dispute will lead to a time of anger. Recently I was in a discussion with a man that was dealing with anger issues. This man was a believer, in fact he was an ordained minister but not serving a church. He was sharing about his anger issues and the Lord laid this on my heart when he asked me how to deal with anger. I said, “In all things that don’t go my way (which is exactly what anger is), I must remember that our God is Bigger and He is at work. I then must turn to God and ask Him, ‘What do You want me to learn from this?”

Romans 8:28 NIV84

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Debate

Not only do we see that there was a dispute, but there was a debate.

The Greek word for debate is zetesis. Similar to the word for dispute, it means a matter of controversy. Have you ever been in a controversy? I don’t like it. Both the words dispute and debate are preceded by the word “sharp.” It means of a degree of intensity. Usually when these things happen, feelings take over and one thing leads to another. However, it was a custom of the Jews to debate their understanding about scripture. Job 16:3

Job 16:3 (NIV84)

3 Will your long-winded speeches never end?

What ails you that you keep on arguing?

Sometimes we need to dispute and debate for the sake of truth. There are times when these spark a discussion.

Discussion

Acts 15:3–7 NIV84

3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. 5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.

Discussion produces decisions and discussion should always be done in the spirit of love but always based on the truth of the Gospel.

Prejudice-Causing Decision

Because of the truth of the Gospel, prejudice-causing decisions should be made.

Foundational Truths

First, there should be a foundational truth that spurs any decision.

Acts 15:8–11 NIV84

8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

The foundational truth is based on God’s plan and God’s grace. When we add to that, we emphasize religion again.

Fruitful Testimony

The decision should also be based on the fruitful testimony of what God has done in the past.

Acts 15:12 NIV84

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

As I have read and studied that verse, I found myself asking, “How have I shared the miraculous signs and wonders that God has done in my life?” The example in Acts 15:13-23 show us the fruitful testimony and how the prophecy of God has come true with the Gentiles being welcomed as believers. In fact, a letter of encouragement is written to the Gentiles.

Facing Trouble

This letter even provides a plan of encouragement for those facing trouble in Acts 15:24

Acts 15:24 NIV84

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.

The letter helps clarify and provide encouragement.

Acts 15:31 NIV84

31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.

What a reminder of what happens when we read the Word of God. It shapes our thoughts and helps us be strengthened with encouragement from the throne of heaven!

Prejudice-Causing Determination

So what does all this mean in Acts 15? We see how being prejudice can cause disruption, division and lead to decisions that can honor or dishonor God. Again, we see from God’s word that He can even use tough times that are unclear through His word put us on the right track. God can even use things that cause polarize us for His glory!

Romans 8:28 NIV84

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

As I have read this passage, I see that there is a prejudice-causing determination that springs forth for me. In fact, in a time when our country has so much political prejudice happening all around us, we can still see God at work if we look for Him! Acts 15:24-41 show us how the prejudice that was taking place propelled the early church to have a plan of action.

A Plan of Action

This plan included a letter of encouragement, a personal visit, the teaching and preaching of God’s word accompanied by a blessing of peace.

Acts 15:33 NIV84

33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.

Even then however, we see that there was yet another dispute that took place between Paul and Barnabas concerning whether John Mark should accompany them or not. They end up parting company. One might think this was another setback. However, if we think back to the verse we read a few minutes ago from Romans 8:28, God still was at work for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The plan of action was accompanied with a purposeful attitude.

A Purposeful Attitude

If we are about the work of God, He will always use it for His glory.

Acts 15:40–41 NIV84

40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

God decided to use two missionary teams instead of one. What a reminder that moving on is not the end of the work! One other thing that I have been reminded of in this chapter is that Salvation does not come from a lifestyle but a lifestyle should come from salvation.

How does that make your prejudice look this morning?