The Danger of Following in the Jews Footsteps

By Ray Burkholder

November 1, 2023

There are many examples of unbelief throughout the Bible. There is not enough space to write them all, so for now we will look at a few examples from the book of Acts.

We read in Acts chapter 7 that Stephen preached the history of the nation of Israel (Jews) to the Jews. We are Gentiles. It started because they accused him (Stephen) of speaking blasphemous words against Moses and against God (Acts 6:8-14).

They became angry when he called them stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears (verse 51), and they stoned him to death. Here we can plainly see the Jews had an unbelieving heart; they rejected the truth of God.

In Acts chapter 13, We read that Paul and Barnabas were also speaking to the Jews (verse 16). They told the Jews their own history, so they might believe. Who doesn’t believe in their own history? Paul tells them:

"Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent" (Acts 13:26).

Paul is trying to encourage them to believe so they can have salvation. Paul continues:

"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man (Jesus Christ) is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him (Jesus) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:38-39).

Here he is telling them to believe/trust in Jesus to be justified, not in Moses' law. Elsewhere, Paul says:

"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith" (Galatians 3:11).

"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you (Jews): but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46)

My friend, do you think you are unworthy of everlasting life as the Jews did? God doesn’t think so. God wants everyone to have eternal life. God’s will today is:

"Who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).

Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles said:

“……..behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

God made a way for all men to be saved by sending His Son to the Cross. He shed His blood for the sins of the whole world. It is a free gift (Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8). Do you believe this?

God set the Nation of Israel aside because of their unbelief. (Romans 11:20,32). Today, Israel is a fallen nation (Romans 11:11). The Jews no longer have a special standing before God because of their unbelief. (Romans 2:11) Friends, let’s make sure that we aren’t a part of that unbelief.

"And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48).

Notice that the Gentiles who believed received eternal life; they had a believing heart.

"But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts" (Acts 13:50).

The Jews rejected Paul and Barnabas just like they rejected Stephen. They had done the same to Jesus Christ when He walked among them.

They (the Jews) had an unbelieving heart. Friends, let us check our hearts and ensure we don’t have an evil heart of unbelief before it is too late. Let us not follow in the same footsteps as the Jews. Instead, let us learn from their mistakes. Let’s believe in what Jesus Christ did on the cross for ALL our sins.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Romans 1:16).

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).