Focal Passage: Acts 15:7-9, 22-31
Entitlement is not a virtue most of us would consider a good thing. Entitlement can cause us to develop many other undesirable such as pride, jealously, envy and selfishness. It can also cause us to look at others with contempt and arrogance.
The dictionary defines entitlement as “the belief that one is inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment”. Entitlement is something most people would consider undesirable. In our study this week we can see how this trait can have devastating effects when it comes to reaching our world with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Paul and Barnabas had returned to Antioch after their first Mmssionary trip to discover that while they were gone, some Jews from Judea, who had become believers, had infiltrated the church at Antioch and had introduced a false doctrine. They were teaching that Gentiles who wanted to become believers in Christ must first be circumcised and follow the law of Moses before they could be saved.
Nimmo
One might ask, “What does that have to do with entitlement?” The better question is, “Why were they doing this?” Evidently, these Jews saw themselves as better than the Gentiles because of their special position in regards to their relationship with God.
They were God’s special people and therefore they were more loved by God. So, if the Gentiles were going to receive God’s salvation from God’s promised Messiah, they had to become Jews first. God certainly would not just give the Gentiles the same salvation as they had received without first becoming a Jew.
But they were wrong. God’s plan from the beginning was to bring salvation to all mankind not just to the Jews. Did the Jews have a special relationship with God? Yes, but it was not an exclusive one. His plan of salvation was for everyone who believes, Jew and Gentile alike.
Paul and Barnabas debated strongly with these Jewish believers until it was decided to take the matter before the Apostles and elders in Jerusalem. Upon arrival they are greeted warmly.
After Paul and Barnabas shared with them what God had done on their first missionary journey and how God had moved so miraculously among the Gentiles, believers from the Pharisee party sided with the false teachers insisting that Gentiles first be circumcised and follow Mosaic teaching.
Peter, having seen how God poured out His grace upon the Roman Centurion Cornelius, his family and friends, joined Paul and Barnabas’s defense.
The apostles, elders and the church agreed that there is no distinction between Jews or Gentiles in regards to salvation. All are saved by grace, and grace alone. However, to make it easier to abide together as brothers and sisters in Christ, they were encouraged to abstain from foods offered to idols, animals which had been strangled, blood and sexual immorality.
The church then crafted a letter to the believers in Antioch detailing their decision. The church at Antioch rejoiced in the news and were encouraged.
We need to be cautious of entitlement as Christians. Sometimes the enemy can cause us to think we are more loved by God than unbelievers. But we are not. God loves everyone the same. The gospel is for everyone. We are indeed loved, but not any less than those to whom we wish to share the Good News of Christ. B&R
