The Partition of Religious and Civil Affairs

Call in the New Testament Jesus and His Calls in Ministry Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)    Priscilla: Called to Minister Acts 18:12-17 New International Version 12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment. 13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.” 14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. 15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.” 16 So he drove them off. 17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes, the synagogue leader, and beat him in front of the proconsul, and Gallio showed no concern whatever. For Reflection Even though Paul had concentrated on preaching to Gentile populations, the traditional Jewish religion lost people to the Gospel message. As a result, the Jewish leaders rose in one accord to bring civil law to rescue their faith. It is not the first time Jewish religious leaders turned to civil law to resolve a religious issue.  They also, in the same manner, brought Jesus to the attention of the civil government. Gallio, the brother of the Greek philosopher Seneca and the proconsul, would not entertain the question saying that no crime over which the government had jurisdiction had been committed.  Thus it was a matter of the religious laws to regulate. The separation of the church and state is still a matter of concern today. Is verse 17 an indication of the indifference of politicians and otherworldly men to religious truth? Or was Gallio clear-sighted enough to understand that there was no civil law that Paul had violated?  If the Jews were dismayed with the proconsul's decision, I imagine the Gentiles were equally satisfied.  One may argue about to which side Satan smiled. But the question remains, is it appropriate for civil law to decide theological matters?  Note:  Sosthenes, the leader of the insurrection against Paul, later became a Christian. See 1 Corinthians 1:1-2, "Paul, and Sosthenes our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth." Pray Pray so that you might understand God's will for God's people. Pray so that you may trust in God when the outcomes and judgments are not clear. Forward to a friend