Friday, March 15, 2013

97. CORPORATE, CHRISTLIKE LOVE FOR THE FATHER AND HIS SON (hh) : Pursuing Christlike holiness (21a)


Discrimination in New Testament churches (a)

From Meditation 76 onwards, we have looked into a third characteristic of a church that loves our triune God wholeheartedly:“To love God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ wholeheartedly as a church means to pursue holiness in preparation for Jesus’ return in glory.”

Since Meditation 84 we have been looking at unholy actions of the Corinthian church and other New Testament churches and what God might want to say to our churches today through the way He responded to these New Testament congregations.

Today we need to reflect on the problem of discrimination between church members in local churches and how that inhibits God’s Spirit to empower our churches to Christlike love for our triune God.

The New Testament mentions various reasons why discrimination took place in local churches. Here are some examples:

·      Discrimination against Jewish-Christian widows from abroad.

Already in the early days of the first church in Jerusalem, problems arose regarding food distribution to Jewish Christians from a Hellenistic background. The evangelist Luke reports: “As the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. Those who spoke Greek complained against those who spoke Hebrew, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food.” (Acts 6:1*)

With the expression ‘those who spoke Hebrew’, Luke meant the Jewish Christians who were born and lived in Palestine and especially in Jerusalem. ‘Those who spoke Greek’ were the Jewish Christians who lived in Jerusalem, but who came originally from outside Palestine, like Barnabas who came from Cyprus (Acts 4:36). They were also called ‘Hellenistic Christians’

The church in Jerusalem probably started caring on a daily basis for the poor Jewish Christian widows. They might have been excluded from the official temple funds because of their faith in Jesus Messiah.

Luke doesn’t tell us why the native Jewish Christians might have acted against the interests of the Hellenistic (Jewish) Christian widows who originally came from abroad. Perhaps the native Jewish Christian widows had more help from family and friends and were less of a burden to the church than the Hellenistic widows. Perhaps the native Jewish Christians looked down on the Hellenistic (Jewish) Christians because of their birth in foreign lands.

Whatever the reason, this discrimination was a hindrance for the Holy Spirit to produce impartial Christlike love, compassion and unity in the early church. The apostles solved the problem by gathering all the believers and making the following proposal which accepted by all: We apostles should spend our time preaching and teaching the word of God, not administering a food program,” they said. “Now look around among yourselves, brothers, and select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. We will put them in charge of this business.” (Acts 6:2-3*)

·      Discrimination against ‘weaker’ Christians.

The apostle Paul had to address the problem of discriminating ‘weaker’ Christians in letters to several churches:

o  Discrimination in the matter of keeping the Mosaic food laws.
To the church in Rome he wrote about food. Some so called ‘weak’ Christians ate only vegetables as they were concerned about breaking the Mosaic laws on the observance of ritually clean and unclean meat. Paul himself was fully convinced that no food is ritually unclean (1 Timothy 4:3-4). Yet, he encouraged church members not to discriminate against others because of differing convictions with regard to keeping the Mosaic food laws.    

Paul writes: Accept Christians who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it is all right to eat anything. But another believer who has a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who think it is all right to eat anything must not look down on those who won't. And those who won't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn God's servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord's power will help them do as they should.” (Romans 14:1-4*) 

He explains to the Roman church: Those who eat all kinds of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who won't eat everything also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.” (Romans 14:6*)

Therefore, he summons the church members, saying: “Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother's way. As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.
If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.” (Romans 14:13-21**)

o  Discrimination in the matter of food dedicated to idols.
In the Corinthian church rose a difference regarding the freedom to eat food that had previously been dedicated to idols; food one could buy in the marketplace. Some Christians who called themselves ‘strong’ bought this food at the market or ate this food as guests in a non-Christian home or even in an idol’s temple. The apostle Paul deals with this matter in his first letter to this church in Corinth: Now let's talk about food that has been sacrificed to idols. You think that everyone should agree with your perfect knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really builds up the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one God knows and cares for.
So now, what about it? Should we eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols? Well, we all know that an idol is not really a god and that there is only one God and no other. According to some people, there are many so-called gods and many lords, both in heaven and on earth. But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we exist for him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life.
However, not all Christians realize this. Some are accustomed to thinking of idols as being real, so when they eat food that has been offered to idols, they think of it as the worship of real gods, and their weak consciences are violated.
It's true that we can't win God's approval by what we eat. We don't miss out on anything if we don't eat it, and we don't gain anything if we do.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-8*)

The apostle warns the church members in Corinth, who called themselves ‘strong’, against discrimination of the so called ‘weak’ church members: “You must be careful with this freedom of yours. Do not cause a brother or sister with a weaker conscience to stumble. You see, this is what can happen: Weak Christians who think it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating in the temple of an idol. You know there's nothing wrong with it, but they will be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been dedicated to the idol.
So because of your superior knowledge, a weak Christian, for whom Christ died, will be destroyed. And you are sinning against Christ when you sin against other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong. If what I eat is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live-- for I don't want to make another Christian stumble.” (1 Corinthians 8:9-13*)

Furthermore, in the same letter Paul reminds the so called ‘strong’ church members of what is true ‘Christlike freedom’: “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ -- but not everything is helpful. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’ -- but not everything is beneficial. Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them.
Here's what you should do. You may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace. Don't ask whether or not it was offered to idols, and then your conscience won't be bothered. For ‘the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.’ (See Psalm 24:1)
If someone who isn't a Christian asks you home for dinner, go ahead; accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you and don't ask any questions about it. Your conscience should not be bothered by this.
But suppose someone warns you that this meat has been offered to an idol. Don't eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.
Now, why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God.
Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. That is the plan I follow, too. I try to please everyone in everything I do. I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them so they may be saved. And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ's. (1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1*)

·      Discrimination against poor Christians.

It seems that in the early church the Lord’s Supper was combined with a fellowship meal, called the ‘Love Feast’ or ‘Agape’. For this meal everyone brought food which was shared together. During or after this meal, they shared the bread and wine in remembrance of Jesus’ death (the Eucharist). For further details see http://www.earlychurch.com/LoveFeast.html. These fellowship meals (‘Love Feasts’) are mentioned in Jude 1:12, 2 Peter 2:13 and probably in Acts 2:42-47; 20:7-12.

The fellowship meal of which Paul speaks in 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 was far from being a feast to express their mutual love. In the Corinthian church, during their love feasts, the rich Christians ate their own food without waiting until everyone was present, and to share it with their poor brothers and sisters. Therefore, the apostle Paul thunders against this church: “In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval.
When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk. Don't you have homes to eat and drink in?
Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!” (1 Corinthians 11:17-22**)

Paul severely warns this church of God’s judgment as they don’t acknowledge that they should live in Christlike love and unity as a manifestation of the ‘Body of Christ’: So if anyone eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily, that person is guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord. That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking from the cup.
For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily, not honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God's judgment upon yourself. That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.
But if we examine ourselves, we will not be examined by God and judged in this way. But when we are judged and disciplined by the Lord, we will not be condemned with the world.” (1 Corinthians 11:27-32*)

After explaining the true meaning of the Lord’s Supper in 17-32, Paul takes up the theme of the fellowship meal again and concludes with the following guideline: “So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.” (1 Corinthians 11:33-34**)

In the next meditation we will continue this theme of discrimination in New Testament churches and ask ourselves what God wants to say to our churches today.


(to be continued)


Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version


The next meditation will be published by Saturday 11 May 2013.



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