I've met them more times than I can count, the Jewish Christians of Jerusalem. Oh, the ones I meant weren't actually Jewish, nor were they from Jerusalem. But the similarity of behavior is unmistakable. In Acts 11, Peter returned to Jerusalem to regale the believers with the glories of God displayed in the salvation and Spirit-filling of the Gentiles in Caesarea. He was overjoyed with what God had done and reported that to the church.
And most of the church rejoiced with him. But not everyone. There were Jewish believers who put a high priority on Christianity remaining Jewish. They emphasized circumcision and the continued observance of all aspects of the Jewish Law. And Gentile believers who were uncircumcised and unobservant of the Law did not fit into their plan.
They were not happy at all when Peter reported the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles.
Did you get that? The Spirit of God was poured out on a whole new segment of humanity and many people were saved. It was a gospel breakthrough and these people were pouting. They were angry. God did something wonderful and they were angry because it did not fit their perception of how things ought to be.
And I have met them everywhere.
God does something wonderful, but it is not through people who share their theological, ideological or strategic perspectives and they are upset. A great thing happens, but it doesn't happen under the strictures of their control and doesn't follow their rules, so they reject it, criticize it and disdain it. We used to call them the "Cold Water Committee." They run around pouring cold water on anything that is not under their thumb.
We have to remember that we serve the Kingdom of God and not the other way around. It is God who is in control and not me.
It is interesting how Peter responded to the Cold Water committee - much better than I ever have. He did two things. He proclaimed the truth of God to them, showing how God revealed the truth of his heart for the nations. He also shared his testimony of God's work in and through him. The Word of God displayed in the daily experience of a believer is a powerful thing.
Peter patiently but firmly instructed them about what God was doing and God's Spirit convinced the people, even those who initially resisted, that it was truly God at work.
When the Spirit of God goes to work in us, there will unfortunately often be a backlash from the Cold Water Committee. We must, like Peter, gently instruct them as to the Word of God and the work of the Spirit in us, continue to the do the work of God and trust the Spirit to empower and protect us.
Father, may I burn with a fire that no amount of cold water can extinguish.
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