Anti-Semitism in the Church, by Kevin Williams
The answer is none other than the father of lies, Satan. We can count on him to attempt to thwart what God desires and oppose Scripture.
“The Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares, ‘Yet [others] I will gather to them, to those [already] gathered.'” [Is 56:8]
In this passage, we see that God has a place for remnant Israel, and that He also has a desire to graft-in the non-Jew as well.
Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will surely separate me from His people.” [Is 56:3]
Not only are these the words of God’s prophet, that non-Jews and Jews should be one before the Lord, they are also the words of the Messiah.
“And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and they shall become one flock [with] one shepherd.” [John 10:16]
What we find here, is that God desires unity between the Jew and non-Jew. Not a simplistic, ecumenical unity for unity’s sake, but a “oneness” solidly based in Scripture and in Christ.
“For He Himself is our peace, who made both [groups into] one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, [which is] the Law of commandments [contained] in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, [thus] establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.” [Eph 2:14-16]
This Ephesians passage has been used to condemn the “Law of commandments” as something ungodly. This is a disservice to the Word. The “Law of commandments” spoken of here is the Mosaic ordinance against Jew and non-Jew mingling. Jewish men and women were forbidden to marry non-Jews. They were forbidden to eat their foods, to dress like them, to mimic their religious systems, and to worship their false gods. We learn in Ephesians 2 that the work of the Messiah has removed that separation between Jewish and non-Jewish believers, so that they might be reconciled into one body.
Lucifer, the enemy of light, realizes that as long as he can keep the Jewish community from their promised Messiah, as long as he can maintain this enmity, he has time to wreak havoc on this planet. As long as the two people groups are “two men,” walking in separation, serving God in separate ways, Satan’s rule is assured.
Conversely, as the “one new man” becomes a reality, it threatens Lucifer’s rule. We can rely on him, as stated earlier, to attempt to thwart God’s plans.
Does Satan work in obvious ways? At times. But more often than not, he is insipid and covert, sneaking in where he is not welcome.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual [forces] of wickedness in the heavenly [places.]” [Eph 6:12]
This brings us back to the examination table. Has Satan planted insipid and covert anti-Semitism in our congregations? If so, and the Spirit wants it out, we can open ourselves up to the great Healer, who is faithful. We can be honest with ourselves and realize that the author of lies may have stolen from us, and limited our ability to appreciate the awesome inheritance that is ours in Christ.
Some topics we will discuss are simple. So simple, you may ask, “Is that really that important?” But if the call to obedience is real, then we are wise to carefully consider any transgression. Other subjects may be eye opening and revelational. What might be helpful to remember are the words of Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles; “Do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, [remember that] it is not you who supports the root, but the root [supports] you.” [Ro 11:18]
Much has been said about this “root,” and many theories bantered about as to Paul’s intent. It is not likely that we will achieve consensus in this article, but Paul is clear that the root supports the non-Jewish believer. Biblically, Israel is referred to an olive tree in Jeremiah 11:15-17, and Hosea 14:6, so the Scriptural precedent indicates that Paul may intend the reader to understand the tree to be the believing remnant of Israel. By personal experience and an ever-widening understanding of the Scriptures, this author agrees with Paul, that this root is our ancient biblical heritage— an inheritance with its origins in faithful Judaism.
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