The early Christian church faced significant challenges as it sought to spread the Gospel beyond the Jewish community to the Gentiles. This expansion was met with resistance and bigotry from certain Jewish believers who struggled to accept that God's salvation was available to all, irrespective of ethnic or cultural background. This entry explores the biblical context and instances of such opposition, highlighting the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in overcoming these barriers.

Biblical Context

The early church was predominantly Jewish, and the initial followers of Jesus were deeply rooted in Jewish traditions and laws. The idea of extending the Gospel to the Gentiles was revolutionary and, for some, controversial. The Jewish people had long been set apart as God's chosen nation, and the inclusion of Gentiles challenged their understanding of God's covenant.

Key Instances of Opposition

1. Peter and Cornelius (Acts 10-11): One of the most significant turning points in the early church was Peter's vision and subsequent encounter with Cornelius, a Roman centurion. In Acts 10, Peter receives a vision from God, instructing him not to call any person impure or unclean. This vision prepares Peter to meet Cornelius, who becomes the first recorded Gentile convert. Despite the clear divine mandate, Peter faces criticism from the circumcised believers upon his return to Jerusalem. Acts 11:2-3 states, "So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him and said, 'You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.'"

2. The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15): As the number of Gentile converts grew, so did the tension within the church. The Jerusalem Council was convened to address whether Gentile believers should be required to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision. Some believers from the party of the Pharisees insisted, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses" (Acts 15:5). The council, led by the apostles and elders, ultimately decided that imposing such burdens was not in line with the Gospel of grace.

3. Paul's Ministry and Opposition: The Apostle Paul, known as the apostle to the Gentiles, frequently encountered opposition from Jewish communities as he preached to the Gentiles. In Acts 13:45 , during Paul's first missionary journey, it is recorded, "But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him." Paul's ministry was marked by persistent efforts to break down the barriers of bigotry and to affirm the inclusion of Gentiles in God's redemptive plan.

Theological Implications

The resistance to the inclusion of Gentiles in the early church highlights the struggle to understand the universality of the Gospel. The New Testament consistently affirms that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to all people, regardless of ethnic or cultural background. In Galatians 3:28 , Paul writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This declaration underscores the breaking down of barriers and the unity of believers in Christ.

Overcoming Bigotry

The early church's journey from exclusion to inclusion serves as a powerful testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers toward a fuller understanding of God's plan. The transformation of attitudes and the acceptance of Gentiles as co-heirs in Christ were pivotal in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. The apostolic teachings and decisions, as recorded in the New Testament, continue to challenge believers to confront and overcome any form of bigotry that hinders the Gospel's reach.Acts 10:45
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
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Acts 11:2,3
And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
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Acts 21:20-25
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said to him, You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
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The Wisdom of God in the Means Used to Propagate the Gospel.
... the gospel, we pass over the preaching and miracles ... would make a common interest
in opposing this, which ... to have been sacrificed to heathen malice and bigotry. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon i the wisdom of.htm

His Great Controversy
... consciences might be satisfied and all opposing mouths stopped ... law, according to
the teaching and preaching of Paul ... carried away by the same tyranny of bigotry. ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter ix his great controversy.htm

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