Give Me Your Hand
Read Acts 23:6-31.
Paul is still in Jerusalem, and he is familiar enough with the various parties within Judaism to know how to use to his advantage the conflicts that existed. He's under Roman guard, but honestly they don't know what to do with him. He hasn't really broken Roman law; it seems they have him more under protective custody than anything else. And that especially becomes true when Paul uses his knowledge of Jewish disagreements to get the Pharisees and Sadducees arguing with each other. In the midst of that argument, Paul is removed from Jerusalem and transferred to Caesarea Maritima.
Religious arguments did not cease in the first century. They continued on, making the calling of councils in the early church necessary. They continued on past the Reformation, when Protestants split from Catholics. And they continued on into modern times, as Protestants have multiplied into over 200 different denominations in the United States alone, as well as perhaps innumerable "non-denominational" churches. (The Roman Catholic tradition, by the way, has a genius way of avoiding schism; whenever a new group emerges, they form an order. They may disagree, but they are still part of the larger church. Protestants just get angry and leave or form a new church.)
Rarely do splits happen because of doctrine, although that is sometimes the case. More often, historically, we split and argue over what are nonessentials (but things we THINK are essentials). Christians of all varieties share a common belief in Jesus as crucified savior, risen Lord and returning king. We agree on the historic points of our faith as summarized in the great creeds of the church. What we argue over is either church practices (i.e., how the worship service should be organized or what the role of a pastor is) or what I would call lesser doctrines. For instance, we agree that baptism is important, but we disagree often as to the mode, age and sometimes even the efficacy (is baptism what saves us?) of baptism. Religious arguments divide us still today.
The religious argument that divided the Pharisees and Sadducees left them unable to hear the Gospel Paul was preaching. They spent their time sparring at each other rather than sensitizing themselves to the work and movement of the Spirit. I believe we do as well. The arguments we get into, the nit-picking we do, the refusal to listen to each other often keeps us from hearing and seeing what the Holy Spirit is up to today.
John Wesley once preached a sermon called "On Catholic Spirit;" it has become a standard of his and somewhat famous for his repeated refrain: "Give me your hand." The sermon, based on 1 Kings 10:15, urges listeners not to major on the minor things. Instead, if your heart is set on Christ, "give me your hand." He asks people to join together in four ways. First, love each other. Second, pray for each other. Third, provoke one other to love and good works. And fourth, work with me hand in hand (love in word and deed). We do not have to have the same opinions to love God equally. If your heart is as mine, Wesley said, give me your hand. (The entire sermon can be read here.)
That, to me, yields a better result in our world than the endless fighting of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. What did they miss? What might have happened had they listened to the Gospel Paul was preaching? We will never know for them...but we can know for us. Give me your hand.
Paul is still in Jerusalem, and he is familiar enough with the various parties within Judaism to know how to use to his advantage the conflicts that existed. He's under Roman guard, but honestly they don't know what to do with him. He hasn't really broken Roman law; it seems they have him more under protective custody than anything else. And that especially becomes true when Paul uses his knowledge of Jewish disagreements to get the Pharisees and Sadducees arguing with each other. In the midst of that argument, Paul is removed from Jerusalem and transferred to Caesarea Maritima.
Religious arguments did not cease in the first century. They continued on, making the calling of councils in the early church necessary. They continued on past the Reformation, when Protestants split from Catholics. And they continued on into modern times, as Protestants have multiplied into over 200 different denominations in the United States alone, as well as perhaps innumerable "non-denominational" churches. (The Roman Catholic tradition, by the way, has a genius way of avoiding schism; whenever a new group emerges, they form an order. They may disagree, but they are still part of the larger church. Protestants just get angry and leave or form a new church.)
Rarely do splits happen because of doctrine, although that is sometimes the case. More often, historically, we split and argue over what are nonessentials (but things we THINK are essentials). Christians of all varieties share a common belief in Jesus as crucified savior, risen Lord and returning king. We agree on the historic points of our faith as summarized in the great creeds of the church. What we argue over is either church practices (i.e., how the worship service should be organized or what the role of a pastor is) or what I would call lesser doctrines. For instance, we agree that baptism is important, but we disagree often as to the mode, age and sometimes even the efficacy (is baptism what saves us?) of baptism. Religious arguments divide us still today.
The religious argument that divided the Pharisees and Sadducees left them unable to hear the Gospel Paul was preaching. They spent their time sparring at each other rather than sensitizing themselves to the work and movement of the Spirit. I believe we do as well. The arguments we get into, the nit-picking we do, the refusal to listen to each other often keeps us from hearing and seeing what the Holy Spirit is up to today.
John Wesley once preached a sermon called "On Catholic Spirit;" it has become a standard of his and somewhat famous for his repeated refrain: "Give me your hand." The sermon, based on 1 Kings 10:15, urges listeners not to major on the minor things. Instead, if your heart is set on Christ, "give me your hand." He asks people to join together in four ways. First, love each other. Second, pray for each other. Third, provoke one other to love and good works. And fourth, work with me hand in hand (love in word and deed). We do not have to have the same opinions to love God equally. If your heart is as mine, Wesley said, give me your hand. (The entire sermon can be read here.)
That, to me, yields a better result in our world than the endless fighting of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. What did they miss? What might have happened had they listened to the Gospel Paul was preaching? We will never know for them...but we can know for us. Give me your hand.
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