The Jerusalem church was led...
Illustration
The Jerusalem church was led by Jesus' closest friends: Peter, John and James. These men were born Jews and believed that one had to first become a Jew in order to be a follower of Christ. They believed that male Gentiles seeking church membership needed to be circumcised, and that everyone needed to be obedient to the various Jewish dietary laws. Peter, John, and James knew that the Jews were God's chosen people. They surmised, therefore, that it was their bloodline that enabled their relationship with God.
That thought reflected the kind of parochial attitude that exists among those of a dominant culture when confronted by a threatening incursion from a minority. When so confronted, the dominant culture tends to say, "Our way is the right way," or even more insidious, "Our way is God's way," without truly being open to the possibility that the minority view has merit as well.
The Jerusalem church was convinced, by their own tunnel vision, that their bloodline established their relationship with God. However, God thought differently. Paul maintained that it is our faith in Jesus and not our acclimation to the Jewish culture that creates a relationship between us and God.
That thought reflected the kind of parochial attitude that exists among those of a dominant culture when confronted by a threatening incursion from a minority. When so confronted, the dominant culture tends to say, "Our way is the right way," or even more insidious, "Our way is God's way," without truly being open to the possibility that the minority view has merit as well.
The Jerusalem church was convinced, by their own tunnel vision, that their bloodline established their relationship with God. However, God thought differently. Paul maintained that it is our faith in Jesus and not our acclimation to the Jewish culture that creates a relationship between us and God.
