Living in Liberty

A Ministry of Bryce Lowance

Elder Bryce Lowrance

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Petty Differences = Petty Religion

21 August 2014

"And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." (John 4:4-9)

The feuds and disputes between the Jews and the Samaritans were some of the worst in the history of mankind.

When the nation of Israel was divided after King Solomon's reign, the two southern tribes were called Judah and the ten northern tribes kept the name Israel. Over time and through the occasion of captivity by the Assyrians, the ten northern tribes lost their ethnic and religious purity. The Assyrians occupied the area and their people intermingled with the Jews. This area later became known as Samaria. The Jews of Judea (Judah) looked at the Samaritans in disgust has only half-breed Jews. The Samaritans, in return, hated the Jews of Judea for their pride and arrogance.

It was not custom that the two people would have anything to do with one another. That is why this woman is not only shocked but held Jesus in contempt for even asking her to draw water for Him. As we study through this encounter, we will clearly see that if we hold to traditions of men and dwell on petty differences, our religious practice itself will become just a petty tradition.

The amazing exchange that is about to take place will show that Jesus truly is the Savior of God's people in all the world, not just among the elite Jews of Judea. He will also begin breaking down the racial barriers between Jew and Gentile. And not only this, the woman will be one of the few people to whom Jesus will fully display Himself to be the Messiah.

What wondrous mercy!

« Why did Jesus leave Judea? | Living Water »

Tags: harmony_of_the_gospels, race, samaritan

Welcome

Brentwood Hills Primitive Baptist Church is a community of believers working together to transform our lives to the image of Jesus Christ. We believe it is our duty and privilege to live the gospel of the doctrines of grace in such a way as to edify the families within our church and other children of God in our community. Through regular worship based on strong Biblical principles, fellowship, admonishment, and outreach, we glory in the grace of the sovereign God working in our lives thereby showing the Spirit of God in the world.

Brentwood Hills was organized in 1906 in Fort Worth, Texas as Laodicea Primitive Baptist Church. You can find much of the history of the church, as well as other churches here: Primitive Baptist History Database

We identify ourselves as an old-line Primitive Baptist church. If you read our Articles of Faith, you’ll see that we hold to such doctrines as the inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. We recognize the King James Version (KJV) as the only English translation worthy of being called the Bible. We believe in salvation solely by the grace of a sovereign God. We believe that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, came to the earth to do the will of His Father, which was to deliver from the sentence of death all those the Father gave Him before the world began. We believe that Jesus fully satisfied the Father by atoning for all the sins of all His people. In time, we believe the Holy Spirit comes to each person that belongs to Jesus and regenerates them. Then (and only then) can anyone have faith, which is a fruit of the Spirit, by which you are able to believe the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether or not you ever hear the gospel, or believe it if you did hear it, or obey it if you did believe it, rest assured that Jesus will remain forever faithful to you because, if He died for you, He will never deny that you belong to Him.

We believe that everyone for whom Christ died will without fail be raised again from the dead to a glorified life. Even if we are alive when He returns to raise the dead, we shall be changed to a glorified life. All the Redeemed will meet the Lord in the air. Then He will take us to Heaven and there we shall forever be with the Lord. The wicked will be raised at the same time as the righteous, but the wicked shall go away into everlasting punishment along with Satan and his angels. Until that glorious day when Christ returns to raise the dead, He has provided a place for His people to find rest for their souls. This place is the Church. Jesus Christ set-up His church on this earth before His death on the Cross. The church is there for those of His people who have come to believe that God saved them by His Son, Jesus Christ. To believe that Christ “paid it all” gives believers the strongest motivation to serve Him. Once enlightened to this glorious truth, then the child of God should feel an obligation to become and remain an active member of the His church. To serve the Lord in His church makes for one of the great blessings to experience this side of Heaven. It fulfills you to serve in His church and it gives your life purpose and meaning.