May We All Be One as Jehovah and Jesus Are One - Conclusion of FIGHTING PREJUDICE IN THE FIRST CENTURY

In 36 C.E., the disciple-making work became much more international.  The apostle Peter had a custom of associating only with the Jews. But after God made it clear that Christians should not be partial, Peter preached to Cornelius,  a Roman soldier.  (Read Acts 10:28,n34, 35)  Thereafter, Peter enjoyed food and association with Gentile believers.  Years later, though, Paul gave Peter a fitting reproof which he evidently accepted.  When Peter wrote his first letter to Jewish and Gentile Christians in Asia Minor, he spoke warmly about the whole association of brothers. - 1 Peter 1:1; 2:17.

Clearly, the apostles did learn from Jesus' example to love "all sorts of  men."  (John 12:32; 1 Timothy 4:10)  Although it took time, they adjusted their way of thinking.  The early Christians gained a reputation of loving one another.  Tertullian, a second-century writer, quoted non-Christians as saying:  "They love  one another . . .They are ready even to die for one another."  Putting on "the early Christians came to view all people as equal in the sight of God. -Colossians 3:10, 11.

Today, we too may need time to uproot prejudice from our heart.  A sister in France describes her battle:  "Jehovah has taught me what love means, what sharing means, what loving people of all kinds means.  But I am still learning to overcome prejudice toward others, and it is not always easy.  That is why i continue praying about it." A sister in Spain faces a similar battle:  "I sometimes struggle with my feelings of animosity toward a certain ethnic group, and I succeed most of the time.  But I know that I need to keep fighting.  Thanks  to Jehovah, I am happy to belong to a united family."  Each of us can make a sincere self-analysis . Might we personally need to fight some feelings of prejudice, as do these two sisters?

Next time: May We All Be One as Jehovah and Jesus Are One - PREJUDICE WITHERS AS LOVE GROWS

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