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He That Is Not Against Us...

Luke 9:50 – “And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”

While Ruth and I were on deputation, we crossed the country from Maine to New Mexico, ministering in churches from various Apostolic organizations—ALJC, UPC, PAW, and others.

Ministering Through Differences...

Some churches required a white shirt to be on the platform.  Some did not allow wedding bands on the platform.  Others didn’t allow open-toe shoes on women.  One church in Maine even asked that women wear a covering over their hair—though we know that her hair is her covering, we obliged.  There were many such distinctions.

In Europe, behind the Soviet Union’s Iron Curtain, it was the same.  Every time we gathered for worship, the women had their hair covered with a Babushka, (a headscarf tied under the chin).  Because of our experience in Maine, we were already prepared for it.

But We Learned to Adapt…

We did so with love and ministered through those differences.  These things didn’t cause division between us and them.  They were simply that—differences—which we learned to honor in the spirit of unity and service.

It’s easy to draw lines, even between Apostolic churches—whether over worship styles, cultural expressions, or theological nuances that do not compromise the Acts 2:38 doctrine.

In Luke 9, the disciples tried to stop someone from casting out devils in Jesus’ name, simply because he didn’t walk with them.  But Jesus gently corrected their exclusivity with a profound truth:

We Need This Truth Today...

In a world already fractured by division, how tragic it is when the Body of Christ contributes to that fracture.  Yes, we may differ in expression—but if Jesus is the center, we are on the same side.

Grace-Bearers…

Jesus was reminding His disciples—and us—that the Kingdom is bigger than our circle.

We are not called to be gate-keepers.  God is the Gate-keeper.

We are called to be grace-bearers.  Not to limit God’s work to familiar forms, but to celebrate His power wherever it flows.

Embracing Unity...

Let us not look for reasons to separate, but instead, look for fruit that affirms the presence of Christ and obedience to His Word.  Let us honor those who labor in His name—even if they labor differently than we do.

“He that is not against us is for us.”

Unity is not just a noble idea—it is biblical truth:

One Lord.  One Faith.  One Baptism.

We do have one Lord.

We do have one faith.

We do believe in one baptism… in Jesus’ name.

Yes, there may be some ideological differences, but none that should add to—or take from—what is written.

Luke 9:50 is not a call to compromise the truth, but a reminder not to embrace unnecessary division.

My Prayer...

Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve been suspicious of Your work simply because it looked unfamiliar.  Help me to recognize Your hand even in places I don’t expect.  Unite Your people, and let me be a peacemaker, not a divider. In Your Name Jesus’, Amen.

~ Brother John Tarter