The first Protestants were those who began grumbling in John 6: 43. A group of Jews who thought they knew more than Jesus didn’t agree with His teaching. They then ignored His clear, direct instructions to to “Stop complaining.”
By John 6: 53, the unhappy know-it-alls had gone from complaining to arguing. By John 6: 60, the first Protestants had left Jesus and the Disciples.
Protestant history began with those first malcontents. Soon, The second Protestants appeared.
The Book of Acts tells us that arguments and disagreements began to confuse the missionary efforts. The conflicts were resolved by the First Church Council. The second Protestants are mentioned Acts 15: 24-25, within the larger reading of Acts: 15:22-31:
“The Apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole Church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them: “The Apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings.'”
Then, verses 24-25, describe The second Protestants. These “We know more than Jesus and His Church,” personalities appear in every age. This passage shows a beautiful understanding of who they are and what they do: “Since we have heard that some of our number who went out without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind . . .”
Then, as now, The Church responds to vain men who urge separation from The Only Church Jesus Founded with clear, simple truth:
“. . . We have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’“
How did the truly faithful respond to The Only Church Jesus Founded: “Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation.”
Except, of course, the perpetually unhappy, The second Protestants. They were not happy at all. They never are. Unless they are as important as their vanity demands, there is no contentment.
The Protestant mindset, elevating self above obedience, was described several times in John 6: 52-60 as well as in Acts 15: 24-25. Those too vain to simply obey God and The Only Church Jesus Founded complain about, argue with, and finally leave The Only Church Jesus Founded. It’s what they do. The second Protestants.
