But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.
Acts 28:22

The elders of the Jewish community at Rome were accustomed to tolerating the viewpoints of wildly different sects: the ultra-orthodox Pharisees, the reformed Sadducees, and the Herodians and other secular pragmatists who openly cooperated with Rome. These groups disagreed about almost everything, sometimes even coming to blows, but they all agreed that the goal was to preserve Israel from extinction, so they were forced to work together.

Arriving as a prisoner at Rome, Paul sent for the Jewish elders. He wanted to be sure they understood that even though he had appealed to Caesar he had no accusation to make against his own people; he wasn’t there to make trouble for them.

They replied that they hadn’t received any such accusations about him, but they certainly knew who he was and they wanted to know more about what he actually taught, because ”with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”

Up to this point, Christianity was regarded as a sect of Judaism. Most Christians were Jews and most of the preachers, teachers, and evangelists who taught about Jesus, including Paul himself, were Jews. So the extreme opposition the elders were hearing from all sides seemed confusing and they wanted to know more.

Opposition will often have this result. If you confront opposition to your Christian faith with a faithful, loving and kind attitude, doors will often open to you precisely because of the opposition.

Lord Jesus, help me to keep my eyes on You, on Your plan, Your purpose, and Your Word when I face opposition and even threats for Your sake. I know that Your loving purpose will be accomplished, even now. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles