Unbelief and Division
A Sermon on Acts 23:6-8
Originally preached April 10, 1955
Scripture
6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. 7And when he …
Sermon Description
Being religious does not guarantee salvation. In this sermon on Acts 23:6–8 titled “Unbelief and Division,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how there are many in Scripture who pass themselves off as being deeply religious, but are not saved. This is the condition of the Jewish Pharisees and Sadducees that opposed the apostles, particularly Paul, and they represented the unbelieving in many respects. They are well-educated intellectuals who are blinded by their sin from believing in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This unbelief is prejudiced opposition. They oppose the message of Christ because it contradicts their traditions, for they had no place for a crucified Messiah who had no kingdom and who came from an uneducated family. Unlike the Jewish leaders, he was not born into the top of the social pyramid and educated. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains how modern humanity rejects the gospel for many of the same reasons. They think it is backwards and old fashioned. They say it is intellectually ridiculous, but this prejudice is the result of sin. Humanity’s problems with Christianity are never simply intellectual or moral, but at the core of these beliefs lies opposition to God and His law. All are dead in trespasses and sin and unable to evaluate the truth claims of Christianity as merely rational thinkers. They are prompted by their sinful nature to oppose this message. This why the gospel must be a supernatural message, for without the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, no one would be able to believe and be saved.
Sermon Breakdown
- The passage describes the world today. Men and women do not change. While means of transportation and medicine have progressed, human nature remains the same.
- The only thing that matters is belief or unbelief in Jesus Christ. This determines our happiness and eternal destiny.
- The characteristics of unbelief:
- It is futile and a waste of time. The disputes between the Sadducees and Pharisees were irrelevant. Similarly, the world's divisions and arguments cancel each other out.
- Unbelief is prejudiced and governed by its own theories. Each group was blinded by its preexisting beliefs. Unbelievers today are also prejudiced and unwilling to change their minds.
- Unbelief will go to any length to prove its point, even manipulating facts. The Pharisees and Sadducees were dishonest in their arguments. Evolutionists also manipulate evidence to prove their theories.
- Unbelief is ignorant of Scripture. The religious leaders did not understand the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah's death and resurrection. Unbelievers today are also spiritually blind.
- Unbelief refuses to face facts that do not fit its theories. The Pharisees and Sadducees rejected the facts about Jesus. Unbelievers today also reject facts that contradict their beliefs.
- Ultimately, all unbelievers are the same. Whether Pharisees, Sadducees, philosophers or common people, without Christ they remain under condemnation.
- The characteristics of belief:
- Belief starts with facts, not feelings or prejudices. Paul believed because of the facts of his encounter with Jesus.
- Belief accepts facts because they are facts, even if they contradict one's theories. Paul gave in to the facts.
- Belief accepts all the facts about Jesus, not just those that are convenient. One must believe in the virgin birth, miracles, death, resurrection, ascension, etc.
- Belief looks to Jesus alone for salvation, not man's efforts or teachings. Only Jesus is the light of the world.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones Sermon Questions: Acts 23:6-8
What was the key dispute between the Sadducees and Pharisees in Acts 23:6-8?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones' sermon, the key dispute between the Sadducees and Pharisees was about the resurrection and supernatural elements. As stated in the text: "The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit. But the Pharisees confess both." The Sadducees were materialists and rationalists who didn't believe in the supernatural, while the Pharisees accepted these spiritual realities.
How did Paul use the division between the Sadducees and Pharisees in his defense?
Paul perceived the division in the council and strategically used it when he stated, "I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee of the hope and resurrection of the dead, I am called in question." By identifying himself as a Pharisee and framing the issue around resurrection, Paul caused dissension between the two groups, diverting attention from himself as they began arguing with each other instead of focusing on him.
According to Lloyd-Jones, what is the only real division that matters in the world?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphatically states that the only division that truly matters is between belief and unbelief in Christ: "The only thing that matters in the world this evening is belief and unbelief." He argues that all other divisions (wealth, social status, education, political views) are ultimately irrelevant compared to this fundamental distinction between Christians and non-Christians.
Why does Lloyd-Jones say that intellectual arguments are not the real barrier to Christian faith?
Lloyd-Jones argues that intellectual arguments are not the real barrier to faith because the problem lies deeper than the intellect. He uses Paul as evidence: "Paul was the same man intellectually before his conversion as he was afterwards. He didn't decide to throw his intellect overboard when he became a Christian." Lloyd-Jones states that the real barriers are moral and spiritual, rooted in sin: "It is something which the Bible calls sin, which produces blindness, which renders the intellect incapable of working truly."
How do unbelievers contradict themselves according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones points out that unbelievers contradict themselves by canceling each other out with opposing arguments. He gives examples: some reject Christianity for being "too serious," while others reject it for being "too light and flippant." Some say Christianity is "too difficult" with its high standards, while others say it's "too easy" with its offer of free forgiveness. He quotes Jesus' observation that people rejected both John the Baptist's asceticism and Christ's sociability.
What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the key characteristics of genuine belief?
According to Lloyd-Jones, genuine belief: 1. "Always starts with the facts" rather than theories or feelings 2. "Believes them because they're facts" regardless of whether they fit one's preconceptions 3. "Believes all the facts about Him" not just the ones that are comfortable 4. Accepts the whole testimony of Scripture about Christ, including His virgin birth, miracles, death, and resurrection 5. Rests upon Christ and His finished work rather than on philosophy, teaching, or ideas
Why does Lloyd-Jones say the world hasn't changed since biblical times?
Lloyd-Jones asserts that while technology and external circumstances change, human nature remains the same: "The world doesn't change. I mean by that that men and women don't change." He explains that the same patterns of unbelief, prejudice, and rejection of Christ that were present in the biblical council chamber are present in modern society. The same divisions, arguments, and blindness to spiritual truth continue today, showing that fundamental human attitudes toward God haven't changed.
Sermons on Unbelief
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.