Tuesday: Breaking Down the Dividing Wall
What action does Paul say Christ took toward “the law of commandments expressed in ordinances” (ESV)? Why did He take this action? (See Ephesians 2:14-15.)
Paul probably alludes here to the balustrade or fence that surrounded the court of Israel in Herod’s Temple, with its death threat. Paul imagines this wall coming down and Gentiles being granted full access to worship God (Ephesians 2:18).
Image © Rolf Jansson from GoodSalt.com
Any such wall, says Paul, is removed by the Cross. For there we learn that these two peoples, Jews and Gentiles, are really one.
Some believe that Ephesians 2:14-15, teaches that the Ten Commandments, inclusive of the Sabbath commandment, are “abolished” or “set aside” by the cross. However, in Ephesians, Paul demonstrates profound respect for the Ten Commandments as a resource for shaping Christian discipleship. He quotes the fifth commandment (Ephesians 6:2-3) and alludes to others (e.g., the seventh, Ephesians 5:3-14, Ephesians 5:21-33; the eighth, Ephesians 4:28; the ninth, Ephesians 4:25; the tenth, Ephesians 5:5). This aligns with Paul’s earlier assertions about the law (Romans 3:31, Romans 7:12). He addresses the misuse of the law, but he honors the law itself and assumes its continuity. Hence, to use these verses to abolish the Ten Commandments, especially in light of all the other verses in the Bible about the perpetuity of the law, is clearly a misinterpretation of Paul’s intent here.
Instead, any use of the law to drive a wedge between Jews and Gentiles and especially to exclude Gentiles from full partnership among the people of God and access to worship, would be anathema to Paul and a misuse of the divine intention for the law. The “law” in Ephesians 2:14-15, is either the ceremonial aspects of the law that divided Jew from Gentile, represented in Paul’s complex phrase, “the law of commandments expressed in ordinances” (ESV), or it is the whole Old Testament system of law as it had come to be interpreted, augmented, and misused as a wedge to distance Jews from Gentiles.
| What tensions among Seventh-day Adventists or among members of the wider Christian community need to be confronted and overcome? Why should our common love of Christ be enough to overcome these tensions? |
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It is helpful to look at some of the walls that occurred in the early apostolic church and see what measures were taken to resolve them. These solutions may be informative about how we can resolve modern walls in the Seventh-day Adventist church.
Conflict 1: The Hebrew/Greek Unequal Treatment Syndrome
There was a racial problem and apparently, the Greek widows were on the outer. There was no defence of the problem. No “Yes, but… rhetoric. They met the issue head-on with a solution, and the whole idea of deaconship was created. Apparently, the solution was a success because the next thing we read in Acts is:
Conflict 2: The Judaists: Jews versus Gentiles
Later, some of the Jewish Christians thought that Gentiles had to become Jews to become Christians. They wanted to circumcise the Gentile men and these men were not really happy about this idea. That was a really big wall.
The issue became large because so many Gentiles were joining the Christians. To be fair, they were on new ground here and had to give it some thought. The problem was migrated back to church headquarters in Jerusalem where with prayer, discussion, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, they came up with a remarkably simple solution.
Not a word about circumcision – I bet a lot of Gentile men breathed easy when they heard that. Just a simple statement of how to live. No conformity to doctrine, world view, liturgical practice, or requirement to sign up to a statement of belief, or religious practice.
Of course, it would be great to say that the Judaists gave in easily and the church became united but in fact, we know that they continued to be a negative influence in the early church right up until the fall of Jerusalem.
Breaking down the walls that separate us does not always work. In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, certain issues have divided us in recent years. Worship style, women’s ordination, and so on. Is it possible that a bit of Christian tolerance could help break the walls that separate us?
The believers of old submitted the issue to “headquarters” for instruction, and followed the instructions, whether they liked them or not.
Our “headquarters” is the General Conference in session, and we need to follow, whether we (with our human preferences) like the results or not. And no, women’s ordination is not the problem in my church, but there are issues which cause dissension and are in conflict with headquarters.
We can be submitted or we can be in rebellion- it is our choice to decide who is in charge - God or us.
Lord help us all to be your children.
Tensions amongst Seventh-Day Adventists that need to be confronted or overcome
-That Ellen G White is inspired by God
-The nature of God
-Ordination of women
-Can Seventh-day Adventists engage in war
Tensions amongst members of the Christian wider community that need to be confronted or overcome
-Doctrinal issues like Day of worship, Saturday or Sunday, Baptism etc
-Role of the church in politics
-The desire to gain the market share in the religious circles
-Cultural influences
Differences of character exist by nature, but our unity depends upon the degree in which we yield to the transforming influence of the Spirit of God. Through the grace of Christ, some persons possess precious traits of character, a kindly and genial disposition; their very rebukes are imbued with tenderness, for the Spirit of Christ seems manifest in them.... The power of His grace will mold and fashion character according to the divine Model, renewing it in softness and beauty, in conformity to His own blessed image....From “Our High Calling” Page 169 by Ellen G White.
-1 Peter 3:8-“ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.”
As in any diverse group, Seventh-day Adventists and members of the wider Christian community can experience tensions due to differing interpretations of Scripture, cultural practices, theological perspectives, or societal issues. Such tensions could stem from dietary habits, Sabbath observance, eschatological views, or responses to contemporary social issues.
However, the common love of Christ should be enough to overcome these tensions because it reminds us of the fundamental unity and purpose we share. Jesus Christ's teachings emphasized love, forgiveness, and unity. He called for His followers to love one another as He loved us (John 13:34), a love characterized by self-sacrifice, understanding, and patience. When we truly internalize this love, it can break down barriers of misunderstanding or disagreement, leading us to focus more on what unites us - our faith in Christ and our common mission to spread His gospel of love and redemption.
As I see it a major issue among Seventh-day Adventists is race . Whiteflight continues. Whites tend to move their membership when significant numbers of blacks join a white congregation. In North America because of its history of slavery the belief that blacks are inherently different , inferior to whites seem to present a stumbling block to acceptance of blacks as equal to whites. The belief or feeling that we are not all equal is reflected in other ethnic churches even when those of the ethnic group are fluent in English. Why restrict my fellowship to my ethnic group.? I believe that if truely Christian my bond with a fellow Christian should be as close if not closer than mine with my non Christian relative.Jesus prayed that we , his children should be one in HIM. Racial, cultural, social , ethnic differences are promoted by the enemy of souls. Our growth in Christ will lead horizontal atonement.
Thank you Horace for your input. I am so sorry that this prejudice still exits. This aught not be so in the family of God. We do not have this in our church, but we are a small church accepting of all races! I hope that our Lord will convict the hearts of his people to grow up and get over themselves to put it bluntly.
That is quite a surprising statement. I have lived in California most of my life and now my wife and I are in Georgia. In both of these areas and the corresponding churches we have attended, there is a racially diverse mix and I have never experienced, “White Flight”. Where do you live? Most of the separation I have seen is a result of a language barrier or cultural worship style presence and never a result of discrimination or outright racism.
Horace, I'm sorry you are experiencing this. But I wonder if you have any solid evidence for what you see as the reason for "white flight" from overwhelmingly black churches? Did those people "fleeing" tell you that they deem black folks "inferior"?
I can see reasons for changing church membership from a predominantly black congregation to a more mixed or more white congregation, and it has nothing to do with race. Rather it is cultural. (I also know that some white folks prefer black congregations.) The same can happen with predominantly Filipino or Japanese congregations - because the way they worship is very different. Granted, it might be helpful for the formal Japanese to learn from the more exuberant Filipinos and vice versa, but it means experiencing some discomfort for a while.
Black folks can find white congregations stiff and dull or "too progressive," and they will "flee" to a more lively or more conservative black congregation, if it's convenient. I don't ascribe that to their deeming whites inferior, and I don't think it is good to judge the reverse moves either.
We find a similar cultural divide between generations: The "old folks" prefer the old hymns and a preacher with suit and tie, while the younger members prefer contemporary hymns and a more relaxed atmosphere with pastor in jeans and shirt without a tie. That should not make the young judge the old or the old judge the young as being spiritually inferior. (Matthew 7:1)
Sometimes judging why others do things is quite "racial" and discriminating in itself. If we have the spirit of Jesus, I think we will ascribe the most benign motives to the actions of others. Let's try on the attitude recommended by Paul in Phil. 4:8
I personally believe that having a cultural mix in a local congregation is very healthy. It means we may all grow in our appreciation for each other.
Christ is one. And in Christ, we become one. Christ is the connection of man with God and humanity with itself. In Christ, we achieve freedom, not freedom for evil purposes, but freedom to do all sorts of goodness. Freedom to attain eternal life, the fullness of energy and peace, a peace that nothing else can give.
Thanks for your honesty, Horace. Until we acknowledge that racial divide, we delude ourselves. I wonder what Jesus would say about this matter!
Jesus prayed in John 17:19-21, “And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.”
This prayer will be and is being answered. Not all who claim to be Christ's will allow the Spirit of God to make them one with God's people. Superficial and significant differences in history, race, culture, ideas and economics will sway them from the love of Christ. But all who love and receive Christ sincerely with heart, soul and body will be united with God's people in Christ. As they are united in Christ they will be one as Christ prayed, regardless of differences.
Rom.7:12 – “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.”
Matt.22:35-40 - ”One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matt.5:17-20 – Christ came to fulfill the law.
Eph.2:13-16 - ”For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body … .”
The laws written on stone and in the Scriptures have now been written on the heart of man; so obtaining righteousness in Jesus Christ. This way, no one can claim the exclusive right to have a higher standing before God – not the Jews, nor the gentiles, nor the priests, nor the religious leaders of the Ekklesia. All are saved by faith in the Word of God and covered by Jesus Christ’s righteousness.
The wall of separation does not serve its purpose any longer. All who believe have been made one in the spirit of Christ – His life. God is no respecter of persons, He accepts everyone and gives each of us a place at the table of His Love - His Mercy and Grace; all are included, all will be called sons and daughters of their heavenly Father!
To deny white flight has occurred and is still occurring in some of our SDA churches here in the USA would be like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand. I have seen it happen in churches in Maryland and New Jersey and also when I lived in Montreal, Canada. We have to acknowledge this phenomenon if we are going to address it, even if it only occurs in a minority of churches.
Where I come from there is a strong debate on the issue of intermarriages. Our church puts on discipline anyone who marries outside the Seventh-day Adventist church and they are to be re-baptised. Is this what scripture says? They say the person has broken the seventh commandment!