Jumping to Conclusions

Often times, our natural tendency is to criticize when we witness or hear of an event that contradicts our personal belief system or perspective. When we encounter change to our norm, we often resist it. The early church was no different. Following the experience with Cornelius (Acts 10), Peter was criticized by many of the believers in Judea.

"The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them." (Acts 11:1-3)

But after Peter explained what had happened, they accepted this as part of God's plan.

"When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life." (Acts 11:18)

But why did they begin with criticism? Many of these believers were present when Jesus explained what would happen when they were filled with the Spirit (Acts 1:8). They would reach the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet, they criticized Peter. Why didn't they simply ask him about the "incident?"

Our perspective is generally from a narrow frame of reference. We should be very careful of assumptions. I believe Philippians gives us the best way to avoid the tendency to judge or assume. Paul says, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." If we're thinking of others, we'll at least attempt to gain their perspective before we act or comment.

In their book, Breaking the Missional Code, David Putman, and Ed Stetzer write:

At the end of the day, I have to remember – we all have to remember – that it is not about me, it is not about you. It is about Jesus sending us to peoples to proclaim the gospel in a way that they can understand. Our churches often struggle because we put our preferences over our call – our preferences over our mission.

Some of the leaders in the early church had placed their Jewish preferences over the mission. Let us be reminded to "consider others" so that we can understand them, connect with them, and reach them. And, with regards to fellow believers, lets live out the "one another's" listed in God's word loving one another, encouraging one another to love and good deeds.