Rumors and Racism

Read Acts 22.

This uproar in Jerusalem had to do with a false rumor.  Someone assumed that Gentiles were among the group with Paul as he entered the inner Temple area.

Two points immediately call for our attention.  First, how dangerous rumors, gossip, and slander are.  With a single statement, an uninformed crowd was ready to commit murder.  Initially at least, those who reacted were fellow worshipers at the Temple!  How many good people and their reputations have been hurt or destroyed by an innuendo or outright lie.  "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless."  (James 1:26).

To further highlight the lack of true godliness extant among the religious leaders of that day is the nature of the accusation.  It was nothing less that hate-filled racism.  So filled with hubris and self-righteousness, they ignored the truth of God's word, the truth of their own laws, and the real truth of the situation.

1. Paul was not guilty of their accusation.  In fact, he went to great lengths to conform to expectations (21:22-26).   No matter about the facts, their minds were made up.

2. The Law allowed for those of other nations, including Gentiles, to worship at the Temple.  Indeed, one entire area was called "the court of the Gentiles."  What flared the rumor was they supposed that Gentiles with Paul went further into the Temple than allowed.  The Gospels provide examples of some Romans who were godly people.  There remained, however, such distrust that the Jews became more concerned with protecting their false purity than being excited about others turning to God.  At the root, however, was that the Temple authorities counted Paul as a traitor and wanted to assassinate him.

3. From the time of Abraham and through the writings of the prophets, the LORD had foretold of Gentiles being included in the family of faith.  "...and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3b).  The Jews, by their true worship of God, were to be a light for the Gentiles to come to faith.  In rebuking the priests, Malachi wrote, "For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering.  For my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD of hosts." (Malachi 1:11).  Restoring the spiritual life of the Jews and including the Gentiles in the faith is why the Messiah came.  "...to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6b).  Much of the mention of Gentiles in the prophetic writings has to do with the time of the restored kingdom to Israel during the Millennial reign of Christ.  But all along there is an inclusion of all people to repent and come to faith in the LORD.

One of the great passages from the book of Revelation is found in 7:9-10.  "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, crying out with a loud voice, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!'"