Criticizing Other Faiths
Paul and his companions began their work in Ephesus in the synagogue and later in the lecture hall of Tyrranus (Acts 19:8-10). Through miracles and exorcisms the gospel impacted the Ephesians with great power (Acts 19:11-22). The resulting downturn in sales of religious crafts provoked a riot (19:23-34) against the followers of Jesus.
What I find significant for the above topic is the speech of the city clerk of Ephesus, who quiets the disturbance (Acts 19:35-41). He notes that the Christians "have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess." One might expect that Paul and his companions would have spoken out publically against such idolatry, and to not have done so might have left him open to charges of "syncretism!" Yet Paul seems to have acted with sensitivity to the local culture and sentiments. To put it another way, he chose "his battles wisely."
A popular commentary puts it this way, "The language of Paul and his companions had been chosen with care when they had spoken about the special worship of Ephesus. They had inculcated the great principles that gods made with hands were not gods, and had allowed that statement to do its work (v. 26). Paul put the same restraint on himself at Athens, though he was greatly moved when he saw ‘the city wholly given to idolatry’ (ch. 17:16)." SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 6, page 383.
There is an increasing tendency in today’s religious world to render harsh judgments against anyone who deviates even slightly from the convictions we have drawn from our study of sacred texts. There is the feeling that if we do not deliver "the whole counsel of God" we will somehow have compromised our mission to convert others. But Paul, perhaps the Bible’s greatest evangelist, was very sensitive to meeting people where they were (1 Cor 9:19-23) and building on the things he had in common with them. Like Jesus (John 16:12), he did not push people beyond what they could handle in the time allotted to him. At times in our zeal to deliver the truth, we make God over into our own image, which chafes at every misunderstanding or misrepresentation of our position. In contrast, God seems well able to tolerate the misguided worship of him by those who do not yet know better.
Categories: Biblical
Tags: Acts 19 criticizing other faiths respect
I THINK PAUL'S EXAMPLE IS EXACTLY THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE
AFTER ALL PAUL IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR US TO FOLLOW
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Great post. This definitely gets the mental gears moving. I find it interesting that even though Paul exercised this restraint on criticism, a mob was still formed against him. As Seventh Day Adventists preach the 3 Angels message no doubt the reaction of most will be negative. Satan will always be there to attack God's remnant when the gospel is spread. May God grant us wisdom to call others out of Babylon to worship of the True God.
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Thank you for the great mental gear turner. It's interesting to me that even though the Apostle Paul used restraint in not criticizing the other religions of his day, a mob still formed. Two certainties stood out to me. Primarily, no matter the cost, we must spread God's message. Secondly, when we do this Satan will be there to attack. We must ask God for his guidance in reaching those in Babylon.
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Whoops sorry about the doublecomment! I wasn't sure the first one posted.
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The woman of Revelation 12 …
God is very precise: A woman delivers the true word John1:1, Rev 12:5, Rev 12:13 who restores Acts 3:21 all things to the world before Christ’s return. This woman exposes the lies of Satan who has deceived the whole world Rev 12:9. This woman creates a new thing in the earth by fulfilling God's promise to Eve Gen 3:15, Jer 31:22, Isa 14:16. She is like unto Moses Acts 3:22, Num 12:3 and she is also like Elijah Matt 17:11 for her witness alone turns the hearts of the fathers to the children Mal 4:5-6 to prepare a people for the Lords return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord Matt 17:3, Luke 9:30. Moses and Elijah are together with the word Matt 17:3. They are all three in this one woman. Woe on those who will not hear Acts 3:23 the true word of Godcommanded to be written and delivered to the world free of charge, as a witness, at the heel of time from the wilderness Rev 12:6. This true word delivered turns the hearts of the fathers to the children of God by giving the truth that not one child of God will be put in a hell fire no matter what their sins. It never entered the heart or mind of God to ever do such a thing Jer 7:31, Jer 19:5. God created evil Isa 45:7 to teach his children the knowledge of good and evil Rom 8:7, Gen 3:22 so that at their resurrection they bcome a god Matt 22:29-30, Ps 82:6. Prove all things. Be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. You cannot rightly judge what this woman has written unless you read all first Pro 18:13 http://minigoodtale.wordpresscom Time is short.
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