Dr Paul Allen

Rev. Roland Mathew The Apostle Paul faced a crucial moment in his missionary endeavours when a number of men came to the church in Antioch from the church in Jerusalem. Their arrival in Antioch triggered a stunning reaction from the Jews who had been amiably fellowshiping and feasting with their gentile brothers and sisters. Immediately upon the arrival of these men from the church in Jerusalem, the Jews who had previously enjoyed table fellowship with their peers in Antioch began to separate themselves.  Alarmingly, among their number were the Apostle Peter and Barnabas, who had been Paul’s co-labourer on his gentile mission. Paul was scandalized by their behaviour, and he recounts this event and his response to the Jews who had separated from their gentile brothers and sisters in Galatians 2:11–21. This was a watershed moment in the life of the early church. What is the basis for table fellowship between Jews and Gentiles? What were the conditions that would enable people who wer...

“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” ( Nehemiah 4:6 ) The ambitious project of rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, with all its gates and other structures, was completed in less than two months ( Nehemiah6:15 ), for all “the people had a mind to work.” This was in spite of the danger from the external enemies who wanted to delay the work if they could. The third chapter of Nehemiah has a remarkable list of the workmen on the wall. Men of all walks of life participated, each with an assigned portion of the work as organized by Nehemiah. The first verse of the chapter tells of the work done by Eliashib, the high priest, and all the other priests; the last verse lists the contribution of the goldsmiths and the merchants. There were the Nethinims (v. 26), apothecaries (v. 8), rulers (i.e., “mayors,” vv. 9, 12, 14-16), and various others. At least one man even had his daughters working (v. 12). Only the nobles o...

If you look in the telephone directory, you will find a huge diversity of churches. Even within individual denominations there often exists great variation. Jesus once prayed that His followers would be one ( Jn 17). But what we see today is anything but unity. What are we to make of this disunity? Does this not demonstrate that Christianity is hopelessly divided? Perhaps. Then again, there may be another way of looking at it. It is important to ask whether denominations are a good thing. Denominations generally developed out of churches seeking fellowship with one another and joint ministry. That is certainly a biblical idea (Acts 11:27–30). Often denominations began as renewal movements. So the Reformed movements of the sixteenth century arose to restore teachings about justification by faith and God’s sovereignty in salvation—teachings that had been eclipsed in the church for a long time. Later, some Presbyterians caved in to the pressures of liberalism and newer conservativ...

Dove of the Holy Spirit (ca. 1660, alabaster, Throne of St. Peter, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican) (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ , if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." ( Philippians 2:1-2 ) Churches haven't changed much in 2,000 years. The call to unity in these verses is as needed now as it has always been. Let us examine the prerequisites for unity found here. Consolation in Christ: The Greek word translated "consolation" is frequently translated "exhortation," and that seems appropriate here. The "exhortation in Christ" immediately follows this passage where His beautiful life of humility becomes the exhortation to unity among believers, since disunity ultimately comes from pride ( v. 3 ). Comfort of love: Comfort could be rendered "enco...