How to Biblically respond to Racism?

Text Acts 15:1-5, 19

Introduction

Racism and prejudice are not new to our culture or our time in history. Throughout the millennia, and all around the world, 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. Slide Lesson Title The world battles racism with truly inefficient methods. Some engage in race-baiting—trying to create 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. Jesus did not select some people to hear the gospel and others to be left out. All people in every nation are equal in the eyes of God, and every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

Racism is not only an injustice toward men, but a rejection of God’s own character—it is our liking only certain things about God and rejecting others. Randy Alcorn, unpublished notes

Regardless of the current cultural trends, God’s people should be the greatest examples of love and equal treatment that the world can find. Thankfully, God’s Word has much to say on this topic. In fact, 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 with people of different races. As the gospel spread, and more and more Gentiles were converted, issues arose that had to be dealt with and addressed. Because the early church dealt with racism directly, we have a pattern that we can follow for how to apply Bible principles to racism in the church and in society.

I) The Rise of Prejudice

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

Despite Peter’s early obedience in preaching to the Roman centurion Cornelius (Acts 10), many of the 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. (Acts 11)

The church at Antioch was an international, diverse church with members and leaders from a wide array of countries.

Acts 13:1 “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:

These people had come from across Africa, Asia, and Europe and gathered together, having heard and believed the gospel message. It was not that they had things in common culturally, but that they were united by the Holy Spirit. 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 (Vs. 5)

In Acts 15, we read that believers from Jerusalem went to meet the believers at Antioch. Among the believers from Jerusalem were 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.

Acts 15:5 “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 unless they kept the law of Moses, they could not be saved.

Acts 15:24 “24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:”

These Pharisee believers were rejecting the Gentiles unless the Gentiles became Jews. To understand the significance of what was going on, it 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 were viewing others through a cultural lens rather than a biblical lens. But they were also wrong in their theology… Ex. Churches that have wrong views of race…

II) 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 leaders of the church. Acts 15 records this meeting.

Acts 15:6 “6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.”

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

Don’t miss the significance here: these church leaders looked to the counsel of God’s Word to guide them in this precedent-setting moment of church history. As Christians, we must always look to Christ and to the written Word of God to be our guide. We should not be persuaded or guilted into any position by cultural pressure, but we should seek the mind of God.

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. What this first-century church was dealing with was a problem of bias in the culture that had 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 “7 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. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.”

Notice three points of reasoning Peter used here...

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 that 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 the fact that these believers received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 11:15–17 “15 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 had realized that to maintain the cultural prejudices with which he had been reared would actually 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.

Acts 15:11 “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. There are no exceptions for nationality, heritage, race, or anything else. All of us are born as sinners. No racial group is free from the sin nature that is the common condition of all mankind. No people group receives salvation because of their heritage.

As you study the letters of Paul one pastor said...

Paul is not saying just that racism is a sin; he’s saying racism is not in line with the gospel. What difference does it make? All the difference in the world.

Timothy Keller

Romans 3:22–23 “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 “8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 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.

There is only one race - The human race.

Peter concluded that the Gentile believers should be received as freely as Jewish believers with no extra litmus tests…

A race started in Adam; another race started in Christ. The Final Perseverance of the Saints, 227

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

3. The Reasoning of James

After Peter concluded his statement, Paul and Barnabas shared testimony of God working through them to reach Gentiles for salvation. Slide 3 Finally, James—the pastor of the church at Jerusalem—also reasoned through the Scriptures as he gave a ruling on the issue.

It is of note to realize that this James was not the disciple of Jesus who had already been martyred by Herod. This James was the half-brother of Jesus, who would later write the book of the New Testament that bears his name. Pastor James was trusted by everyone in that assembly 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 also should inform our response to racism and prejudice today:

A. God Is Calling a People for His Name

Acts 15:13–14 “13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.”

The primary mission of the church 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.

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

William Wilberforce had 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. He became a member of the British Parliament at twenty-one—the minimum age required. 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 how to invest his life for Christ. Newton advised him to stay in parliament and work to abolish slavery.

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 in a multitude of people from every kind of ethnic and linguistic background imaginable.

Revelation 7:9 “9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”

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 all people even now.

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 the very place 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 “15 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 and nationality and 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.

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, which is why she 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 following Christ: “To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory, my reward.”

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.

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 the Jewish believers should not impose their personal practices on others.

Acts 15:19 “19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:”

Although James’ instruction is primarily given in the context of the church, 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 truth of the gospel. But we should not add to the gospel requirements for people to conform to a specific culture or set of preferences in order to be saved. Furthermore, we should make a concerted effort to be gracious in how we share the truth.

There will be those who try to silence us by claiming offense, and we must not be moved by that. 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, they sent messengers with 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 “31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.”

Conclusion:

The Acts 15 account of this Jerusalem council is not just a record of what happened in the first century, but it is also worthy of application today. From this occurrence, we learn the importance of dealing with the problem of racism, and we learn how to do so.

Seven Biblical Principles for Responding to Racism

We are all one race

We are all created in the image of God

God is no respecter 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—their ancestry or physical features.

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

4. We are commanded to love our Neighbors

5. We have the privilege to bear one another’s Burdens

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

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.

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

7. We are brother’s through Christ

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 “11 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 transformation.