Acts 23:10 (KJV) When Faith Becomes Fury

Acts 23:10 (KJV)

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 

Human history knows nothing to compare to the Jews’ relationship with their God. It defined them in every way. It affected their relationships with neighboring countries. By the time of Christ, it also shaped their relationships with one another. Like any worldview, over time, differing opinions arose. Their identity was so wrapped up in their views of faith that they divided into sects and often became heated—even violent—toward one another: Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, and eventually Early Christians, who were at first seen as just another Jewish sect.

But they weren’t.

Christianity soon stood apart, first by its remarkable appeal to Gentiles. Within a century, most Christian churches were made up of Gentiles rather than Jews. The God of Israel had always opened His arms to Gentiles, but through Christianity, they came to faith in droves.

Second, Christianity has never been violent. Religion, on the other hand, always is.

• Animism.
• Paganism.
• Pantheism.
• Islam.
• Etc.

Look at any religion and you’ll find it capable of violence—often willing, sometimes even eager to inflict it. Even among the Jewish sects, we find examples of religious violence.

But not Christianity.

I can already hear someone asking, “What about the Dark Ages?” “What about Catholic persecution of dissenters?” “What about the Crusades?” “What about the Inquisition?” “What about Henry VIII?” “Bloody Mary?” “The Salem witch trials?”

I might add, there were lesser-known acts of violence by Puritans and Pilgrims too. So what about them?

Here’s the difference: there has always been a group of Christians who insisted that those things were not truly Christian. They have always insisted that Catholics were not Christians. They would not attend their services, allow their children to be baptized by them, or join in the membership of their churches. They would scripturally baptize anyone who came to unite with them. They likewise insisted that Protestants were not true churches. They would not attend their services, allow infant baptisms, or accept membership without scriptural baptism.

And yet—they never persecuted Catholics or Protestants.

There are historical accounts of them helping both groups, even sheltering them from persecution. Experience had taught them how to hide and protect themselves. They invited Catholic and Protestant children to their schools to learn to read, write, and study the Bible. They preached to them, encouraged them to be saved, and to come out of false churches.

But they never persecuted them.

True Christians have never become violent toward those with whom they disagree.

Only religion does that.

#TrueChristianityIsPeace #ReligionKillsChristSaves #GentilesWelcomed #FaithNotForce #ChristNotCreeds

When Faith Becomes Fury… But True Christians Don’t

Are you tired of religion that wounds instead of heals? The Bible shows us a better way—one that stands apart from violence, division, and false tradition. What sets true Christianity apart in a world full of religious confusion? Drop your answer in the comments!

Share this post with someone who’s been hurt by religion. Then find one person today and tell them how Jesus Christ brings peace, not pressure—truth, not tradition.

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Acts 23:10 (KJV) When Faith Becomes Fury