Who is Truly Intolerant??? - Acts 23

23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” 4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” 5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

As Paul is on trial before the Sanhedrin, which is made up of 70 Jewish elders, he declares that he has fulfilled God's call on his life.  God had called him to preach to the Gentiles and now go to Jerusalem realizing that the Jewish leaders were agressively trying kill him.  Paul has nothing against his fellow Jews, notice he calls them, "brothers".  In fact, in Romans we learn that Paul desires that all people would be saved, starting with his own people.  This is Paul's last chance to share the gospel with his fellow people, but obviously they were not open to hearing it.  Instead they raged in anger at him. 

Not only did they not accept Paul's message, but they despised him for it.  Shortly after Paul shared this simple heartfelt message, the high priest commanded those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.  For what? For sharing what he believed was God's plan for the salvation of all people, including the Jews from whom Jesus came from.  Because Paul did not tell them what they wanted to hear, they felt offended and acted aggressively and violently in response.  In doing this, they broke their own Law they claimed to be adhering to.  

I think the climate Paul experienced in Jerusalem, is similar to our culture today.  Sometimes Christians feel like if they express there faith in Jesus Christ, they are going at best going to be looked down upon, and at worst shamed and possibly physically persecuted.  Merely stating that you believe Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life" will bring out calls of bigotry, prejudice, and fanaticism.  The bottom line is people choose to be offended.  I don't have any problem with someone sharing their beliefs with me even if they are different from me. I really don't. It doesn't threaten me.  Why? Because I believe what I believe. I would never put someone down merely because of what they believe to be the truth.  To me this is the best version of what is called "religous tolerance".  Without tolerance of each other's religious opinions there is no conversation, only demonization of the other person and their beliefs. This helps no one.   

It seems like free speech is okay for everyone but Christians.  You can't have it both ways.  If you claim that Christians are judgmental and then judge them categorically because of their belief, who is really being hypocritical? In you believe in religious freedom then why not give it to all people.  We live in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Christians.  But like Paul we need to be bold and stand up for what we believe knowing God's approval is more important than the world's.