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“As Out of Context: “He Who Is Not With Us Is on Our Side””
As Out of Context: “He Who Is Not With Us Is on Our Side”
David Sproule
One of the easiest things to do (it seems) is to quote a Bible verse—out of its original and intended context—in order to prove a point. However, in so doing, the validity of such argumentation has no foundation at all. As has long been stated, “A text, out of context, is a pretext.”
While some verses may sound good and make us feel good, the original context must determine its intended meaning. This applies to Jesus’ statement, “He who is not against us is on our side.” This is often quoted by individuals today to provide some kind of justification for denominationalism, religious division or doctrinal differences. However, the immediate context and the complete Biblical context do not support such a conclusion. Let’s look at it.
Read both Luke 9:49-50 and Mark 9:38-40. Both accounts essentially say the same thing. John told Jesus that the apostles forbade a certain man, because he was “casting out demons in Your name,” but “he does not follow us.” Jesus told John to “not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.” But that is NOT all that the text says. Read Mark 9:38. Jesus says, “No one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.” The fact that John was unaware of this man means nothing. Jesus affirms that this man (and anyone else) could ONLY work a miracle in Jesus’ name IF such power had been given by God. (That’s the very nature of miraculous deeds. See John 3:2.) And, IF the man was working a deed by the power of God, THEN whatever he would “speak” would be the Word of God (and no different).
Jesus was affirming that this other man was teaching the SAME thing that He was, otherwise, God would not have given him the power to do miracles. Miracles were designed to confirm the message was from God (Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4). While the man was “not with” the apostles, he was on Jesus’ side from a purity of doctrine and practice standpoint. This passage cannot be used to justify doctrines or practices that differ from that which is authorized by Scripture.
In the larger context, if this statement of Jesus proves that a doctrine or group that teaches and operates contrary to Scripture is approved of God and “with us,” then it makes scores of passages non-sensical. (Examples: Matt 7:15-23; 1 Cor. 1:10-13; 1 Tim 1:3; 6:3; Gal. 1:6-9; Rev. 22:18-19; 2 Pet. 2:1-22; etc.). There is “one faith” (Eph. 4:5), which must be preached accurately (Gal. 1:23), obeyed precisely (Acts 6:7), stood for firmly (1 Cor. 16:13), and contended for earnestly (Jude 3). There “is not another” (Gal. 1:7). Anyone who preaches or practices another has departed from that faith (1 Tim. 4:1; 6:21) and is not on God’s side!
