Messianic Communities - Then and Now

Two thousand years ago there were many groups "outside the camp"1 of the accepted, organized religion. There were also many that fit in quite comfortably, taking their acceptance and success in society as a sign of God’s blessing. Both types of groups still exist today. Relations between the two were often strained to the point of suspicion, violence, and persecution. It is now just as it was then, that those within the camp of organized religion were connected to the power structures of their societies. For those who would not come under their spiritual authority, they tried to influence the civil authorities to use force against those dissenting spiritual voices.2

One of the most successful crusaders against the cult of his day was Saul of Tarsus, who had an unforgettable encounter with the very God he was persecuting. In that awesome moment, blinded by a brilliant light from heaven, he did not hear harsh condemnation for his evil deeds,3 but instead was pierced by the gentle words reminding him of the truth he knew in his conscience. God’s voice spoke to him saying: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads."4

Those goads were the words of Gamaliel, his own teacher as a young man. Gamaliel was a very wise man who lived "within the camp" of organized religion. He commanded the religious leaders of that day to leave the most notorious cult of the ancient world alone because they might just find themselves fighting God. Referring to the very sect that Saul would later join, the Messianic Communities,5 Gamaliel advised:

"And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action should be of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God." (Acts 5:38-39)

If religious leaders since had listened to this respected teacher, rivers of innocent blood could have been spared. Gamaliel said these words in the face of the same kind of doomsday cults, armed militias, false messiahs, and religious fanatics comparable to any group that exists today. He spoke to the powerful, wealthy, and well-connected religious figures of his day that were just like the preachers, bishops, popes and televangelists of today. Gamaliel and those who heard him knew well of the groups on the outskirts of society. Some, like the Zealots, were a menace to society, while others like the Essenes held the traditional religious system in utter contempt because of their obvious worldliness.

The Zealots were determined to overthrow the government with as much violence as necessary, even at the cost of putting their whole society into chaos. They were the armed militias of that day, led by men like Judas of Galilee.6 His rallying cry, that Roman taxes made the Israelites no better than slaves, was a powerful one. His rebellion was met by the overwhelming power of the state, leading to his death and the scattering of his followers.

The Essenes lived in set-apart communities waiting for the Messiah and the end of the world. Famous for the Dead Sea Scrolls,7 were they alive today they would have a far different reputation. Their apocalyptic writings portraying the armies of God slaying the wicked, their white garments, and their refusal to marry would label them a doomsday cult for sure.

The Communities of the Messiah 8, or The Way, as His followers liked to call themselves,9 were the very group Gamaliel used to teach his very important lesson. Motivated by envy due to the following the Master, Yahshua, was gathering, the religious leaders delivered Him up to be crucified.10 Afterwards, His followers claimed He rose from the dead. The "proof" they offered was their radically different lives. Because of their love for one another there was no poor and needy among them. Everyone shared what he or she had in common.11 Since the ancient prophecies were being fulfilled,12 their uncompromising proclamation of forgiveness and salvation became increasingly bold. This brought them face to face with the same jealousy13 that their crucified leader had faced at the hands of the same religious leaders. The sect of the Master Yahshua was bursting with new life. They could not kill it. This was the living proof of His resurrected life.

At this point Gamaliel spoke. He already knew the actions the civil authorities had taken against armed uprisings.14 Gamaliel made a careful distinction between the two kinds of authority on the earth, civil and religious. His words were not directed at the civil authorities, telling them to ignore criminal behavior, because it might be from God. He was telling the religious leaders, rather, to let men believe and act as they saw fit. If men violated laws, then it was up to the state to deal with them. If men violated religious teachings, it was up to God to deal with them, not men. The true church is not supposed to be alarmed at the actions or beliefs of their opponents.15 For a brief time, the established religious leaders received Gamaliel.