In the years of teaching others, one problem often has confronted those who are being taught. Some have deep roots in the places where they are worshiping and the decision to leave that behind is often not one that is easily made. They now look at the Bible so differently, for what they now know is right is so strange from what they were taught, believed and practiced for many years. Perhaps looking at two examples of men in the Bible who “changed churches” might help them as they struggle.
Saul of Tarsus, far better known as the apostle Paul, was a leader in the Jewish religion. As a young man, he was part of the stoning of the first Christian martyr. The Bible says that he not only took care of the outer garments of those who were actually killing a saint, but as he watched Stephen die, he agreed that it was a godly act to kill that Christian (Acts 7:58; 8:1; 22:20). He progressed in his religion and anti-Christian views above his peers (Phil. 3:5-6; Gal. 1:14).
Was Paul an evil, violent man? Far from it! He was part of the Jewish “church,” because his one rule was to live by his conscience and he lived a blameless life before God and man (Acts 23:1; 24:16). Yet when he understood the will of God, he immediately became a Christian (Acts 22:16). He left the Jewish “church” and began a new journey as one who was determined to always do the right thing. The fact he so willingly gave up his past life and embraced a new one is evidence of his honesty and devotion to God.
Apollos is another example of a man who “changed churches.” We know less about his life before becoming part of the church of Jesus, but everything we know shows his involvement in religion. He was a Jew who had been born in Alexandria, a great city on the coast of Africa with a substantial Jewish settlement. He was man who knew the Bible and was skilled in publicly teaching others (Acts 18:24-25). In some way, he learned of the teachings of John the Baptist, and when he came to Ephesus, he taught others in the synagogue. In a sense, he had left the Jewish “church” and became part of the “John the Baptist church.” A Christian husband and wife heard him teaching and privately taught him about the church Jesus built. He “changed churches” and began to confront those Jews with whom he had formally worshiped, using the Bible to show them where they were wrong.
Today when one learns about the church of Jesus he stands at a crossroad in his life. The path he chooses reflects the nature of his heart. Two great leaders in the early church were devoted and active in religious lives. Their willingness to change shows what men who are honestly wrong need to do.