Acts 5:13 KJV
And of the rest
durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.
Unlike so much of what is called Christianity today, the Bible is as
interested in who it keeps out as in who it allows in. There is some
debate over exactly who is referenced in the phrase "the rest".
Regardless of what group these are:
- Unbelievers in general
- Unbelieving rich or even
- Influential church members trying to use
wealth to gain power
The lesson is the same; God isn't interested in building a body through
simple inclusiveness. He has standards
- For salvation
- For membership and
- For leadership
I note that this obviously exclusive mentality did not hinder those who
were truly converted from being added to this church. Believers were, in fact,
the more added because of it.
We do not harm the work of God to expect high standards of the people of
God. We do not hinder the ministry by excluding those who do not like our
convictions. God's work is progressed through convictions and standards.
Exclusivity produces inclusivity of the right sort.
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