Acts 14:4 But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the Apostles.

 

Paul and Barnabas were preaching the Gospel in Iconium and many were coming to Christ. The Holy Spirit was using them to perform Miracles, Signs, and Wonders and there was great excitement among the people.

 

However, there were those who chose not to believe but hold fast to Jewish Law and traditions. This caused the city to become divided. This is what the Message of the Cross of Christ does. It divides people into two categories: believers and nonbelievers.

 

When a person comes to faith in Christ and is truly born again, they will turn from the world and those who are in the world. While they may not mean to do this, it just happens because the Spirit of God in a believer doesn’t want to be with the evil spirits in people of the world.

 

Later, Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthians. In that letter, he quoted the Words of God as spoken by the Prophets. Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has Righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the Temple of God with idols? For you are the Temple of the Living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18)

 

Paul was very well-versed in the Words of the Prophets. He had studied under Gamaliel and it is believed that Paul was the most educated person on earth at that time. Although he knew the Words of the Prophets and had committed much to memory, now that he was a born-again believer in Christ, the Words of the Prophets began to take on a whole new meaning. He now understood their true meaning. I’m sure he had many times of revelation as the Holy Spirit taught him the true meaning of the Words of the Prophets.

 

Therefore, when the people of Iconium became divided because of his ministry, Paul was not at all surprised. In fact, he expected it to happen everywhere he went. Jesus said it Himself. Do you suppose that I am come to give peace on Earth? I tell you, no; but rather division. (Luke 12:51) While the Gospel of Christ brings believers together, it also separates them from unbelievers. It’s a spiritual matter. Unbelievers do not hate you, they hate the Spirit of God in you. If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. (John 15:18)

 

Come out from the world. Separate yourself from them because……………...

 

 

God wants to……….turn the tide……….in this world!

 

Separated,         Doreen

 

www.bettsministries.org