Proper Classification of People

Scripture: However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene also gave their message about the Lord Jesus to some Greeks. And the Lord honored this effort so that large numbers of these Gentiles became believers. ... Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to hunt for Paul. When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch; and both of them stayed there for a full year teaching the many new converts. (It was there at Antioch that the believers were first called “Christians.”) Acts 11:20-21,25-26

Observation: The gospel was first to the Jews, for they had the context to fully understand the prophesies of Messiah as the son of Yahweh. However, Gentiles are now believing this good news as well, and this occurs for the first time in significant numbers in Antioch. Once the move begins, Barnabas - who then gets Paul for help - educate these Gentiles-turned-believers. And they are called ... Christians.

For many centuries of history, the scriptures have classified the world into two major groups. While there may be several nationalities identified, the important classification has been a person's relationship with the Lord, and if they are part of the chosen people - the Jews - or not - the Gentiles. We often see non-Jews who believe in Yahweh, but they are still Gentiles. However, in Antioch we finally see a new name given to a group of people.

And it is this reason that a third classification was needed ... these people are chosen by the Lord, through their faith in Jesus, however they are not descendants of Abraham. They are therefore not Jews - those people who received the old covenant as the chosen people of God - and they are not Gentiles - those people who have no covenant promise with the Lord. They have the promise, but without the lineage.

Application: In our day and age, people declare over and over how much they are against discrimination of people groups, yet they have SO many labels for people. In some cases, they have so many they just give up and add a + to the end of a list of initials. We label everyone based on ... skin color, birth heritage, living place, sexual practices, political leanings, financial status ... and more. What would it look like if I personally only considered people by three classifications?

Christians - My brothers and sisters in Christ

Jews - The chosen people of the Lord, who may or may not believe in Jesus as Messiah

Gentiles - Potential future Christians

There is no type of people on that list I could dislike! Of course, there are two types of people on that list that non-believers would hate ... but that is nothing new in the world.

Prayer: Lord, may our perception of others, and the way we treat others in the world, align to your thinking and love for everyone. And may that begin with me, as I desire to love others well. Our world will not eliminate labels, for the evil one has created them to divide us, but may I strive to eliminate such division in my heart. Amen.