From a general point of view, Christians and Jews are regarded as similar but not the same. I often find that most people are unaware that “the Jew” as a single identity does not truly exist. Within Judaism, there are many different denominations. There are even Messianic Jews who have also accepted our Saviour. However, all of these belief systems are entirely man-made and not in harmony with the Bible.
The Holy Scriptures consistently distinguish between two groups: God’s people (faithful followers) and idolaters (all others). Whether we call ourselves Orthodox Jews, Messianic Jews, Catholic Christians, Protestant Christians, or anything else, it does not matter to God or His Son. Our Saviour does not care in which group we feel most at home—so long as we sincerely follow Him.
In the Holy Scriptures, God’s people are, after King Solomon’s reign, divided into two camps: ten tribes in the northern kingdom (House of Israel) and two tribes in the southern kingdom (House of Judah). Over time, only the southern kingdom remained as a recognisable group. Their brothers from the northern kingdom intermingled with other peoples and thus became lost.
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Jesus was born in the southern kingdom and first taught them. But when they did not accept Him, He said:
“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16, Luther 1545)
When Jesus speaks of sheep not of this fold, He refers to the lost northern kingdom. We also find confirmation of this in Scripture:
“And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matthew 24:31, Luther 1545)
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” (Revelation 7:9, Luther 1545)
From a biblical standpoint, there is no fundamental difference between Jew and Christian. Already in the books of the minor prophets it is foretold that both houses will be reunited into one people.
Historically, too, there is no distinction between Jews and Christians. As mentioned, our Saviour was born into the tribe of Judah. His disciples—including more than just the well-known twelve—were Jews as well. Jesus and later the apostles preached in Jewish synagogues. Their lifestyle was what we would today label as “typically Jewish.”
In the early Christian community of the first century A.D., those who chose to follow Jesus effectively chose a denomination within Judaism. Because this group taught certain distinct doctrines, they were referred to as a sect. Today, the word “sect” carries a negative connotation, but originally it simply meant:
“A smaller religious community that split off from a larger religious group because it emphasised different positions than the original community.” (Duden Online, accessed 18 March 2023, 21:46)
If you watch a documentary or read an entry in a Bible lexicon, you’ll find that there is no debate on this point: the first Christians were Jews. In this sense, there is no essential difference between Jews and Christians. Strictly speaking, there is only one people of God, among whom no distinction is made based on ancestry.
Responsibility in Interpreting the Holy Scriptures
Every believer carries responsibility when it comes to interpreting and understanding the biblical scriptures. However, for those who feel called – or have taken it upon themselves – to pass on biblical teaching, as is the case with me, this responsibility weighs considerably heavier.
A Personal Insight – Triggered by Ezekiel
In my specific case, my heritage also plays a particular role. This became strikingly clear to me today as I began to re-examine my interpretation series. I was asked the question: at which point in Revelation are we currently? This question led me back to the prophet Ezekiel – and it made me stumble.
A Watchman for a Lost People?
Ezekiel, himself a prophet from the biblical southern kingdom in Babylonian exile, is appointed by the LORD as a “watchman over the house of Israel” – that is, over the northern kingdom, which was already considered lost at that point. At first, this calling seemed contradictory to me. But the more I reflected, the more I realised: it is not a contradiction, but rather a prophetic, forward-looking address – a spiritual proclamation.
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Martin Luther and the Prophetic Warning
This insight led me to another profound connection: what does my German heritage have to do with it – and what responsibility arises from it? In this context, I was reminded of Dr Martin Luther. He was not only the most influential reformer of his time, but was also regarded by many contemporaries as a “prophet of the Germans”.
Unfortunately, his prophetic statements are now difficult to access. However, what remains is the remarkable appendix to his 1545 Bible translation. In it, he strongly calls on the faithful reader to regularly examine and preserve the Holy Scriptures – especially against alterations by hostile groups or individuals.
A Responsibility Only We Can Truly Fulfil?
Such an explicit warning is not found in any other Bible translation. Even modern editions of the Luther Bible omit this section entirely. Thus, it is ultimately only German-speaking readers to whom this call was originally handed down – a fact that places a particular responsibility on us as German speakers.
Studying the Bible – A Royal Command
The Bible repeatedly calls us to search the scriptures. People in positions of leadership – described metaphorically as kings – are even commanded to read the scriptures day and night (cf. Joshua 1:8). This exhortation, in principle, applies to all of us – yet the more influence someone has over others, the greater their responsibility in handling God’s Word.
How Shall the Sheep Recognise the Voice of the Shepherd?
So if a prophet such as Ezekiel is appointed as a watchman over a people who were already scattered – a people that shall again become part of God’s people at the end of judgement – then this also illustrates our task today: to preserve the Holy Scriptures in their original message and interpretation.
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
But how are His sheep to recognise their Shepherd’s voice if His words (the Bible) are altered or fragmented? How are the lost to return to the LORD if no one takes the tradition of watchfulness seriously?
Outside the Theological Mainstream
I am aware that many find my statements and interpretations unfamiliar – especially as they do not stem from any theological school, but instead follow the biblical text and historical facts. Yet I take the Scriptures seriously and strive to argue solely from the Bible.
A Responsibility I Had Not Grasped Until Now
Only now am I beginning to grasp how immense the responsibility is that I carry – as a German-speaking believer.
Perhaps the increasing numbers of people leaving the Church or converting to other religions must be viewed precisely in this light. The lost sheep long for the Shepherd’s call and are simply searching for His voice.
The countless Christian denominations do not merely testify to hopelessness in current trends – they also express hope that the true voice is still out there somewhere.
The Duty to Preserve – Now More Than Ever
But in our time, where the Word of the LORD is constantly altered – for instance through new versions of the Nestle-Aland text every four years or so – it becomes all the more necessary for us as believers to return to the biblical foundation. It is our collective duty to preserve the Holy Scriptures – at least in the form in which they existed at the time of the Reformation.
Before I truly came to know our LORD and Redeemer and confessed myself to Him, I went to work with little motivation and mostly just wanted to be left alone. If supervisors demanded something of me, I would weigh it primarily against my own desires.
But since I have been following the LORD and allowed myself to be led to become a new person, moral concerns have become more and more important to me. For example, I dropped out of further education when we were taught:
“In the economy, there is no morality.”
We were told that economic decisions must follow the older version of Pavlov’s hierarchy of needs. That was the final point that led me to drop out.
Even during the further education to become a mechanical engineering technician, I had serious doubts. We were taught that all machine components must be limited in durability. Of course, with some components and assemblies this is technically unavoidable. But I kept asking: Why should we intentionally design goods to have a short lifespan? The answer was always the same: “So that the economic cycle functions.” Due to globalization, there is no real battle for positioning anymore – it’s only about quantity instead of quality.
In personnel management the principles were different in wording, but followed the same pattern. We were told informally:
If employees have addiction problems, let it be. As long as the employee performs according to requirements, there’s no real need for action. If something escalates, we can claim ignorance or recommend therapy.
Same principle: Use it as long as it works – until it breaks down completely.
Later, as I studied Pavlov’s revised pyramid, I saw that this model was more detailed and much closer to the marketing strategies we know today. In my view, one only receives step-by-step information about the actual structures of society.
In training: “The employer is responsible for your health.”
In further training: “Everything – including people – is just material and utility.”
At management level: “See nothing. Hear nothing. Say nothing.”
In the worst case: “Plausible deniability.”
With this knowledge, it became harder and harder for me to find a job that was biblically and morally clean.
Today I apply two core standards:
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31)
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay.” (Matthew 5:37)
If I notice that an employer tries to make me act against these rules, I quit – even in the middle of a shift, without regard for consequences. Not immediately, of course. Usually it takes repeated violations before I even realize it. But I am so firmly willing to follow the LORD that I do not hesitate.
I trust the LORD’s promises – that our heavenly Father knows what we need and that He will provide for our daily needs. Until today, I have never gone hungry or lacked anything. My experience confirms my faith. And that encourages me to remain steadfast. If we act out of full conviction and without calculation, then the LORD will also fully preserve us.
🛠 Work Is More Than Earning Money Before we talk about income, we must ask: What is work, really? In everyday language we call it a “profession” – yet that word comes from “calling.” But how many today truly feel called to what they do?
Most people learn a job or do some task just to make money. But Scripture asks:
Who has called you?
The LORD, our God?
Money, ego, or even the adversary?
Not every form of work is evil, but not every one is God’s will either. And yet: Every modern form of income is already found in the Bible.
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🔍 Biblical Categories of Income Scripture knows both self-employed and dependent employment – just like today.
These people decide and act independently – they answer only to the LORD.
🎓 2. Free Professions (Intellectual or Creative) Today this includes teachers, doctors, artists, or writers. Biblical examples:
Luke, the physician (Colossians 4:14)
Jesus, the carpenter (Mark 6:3)
Rabbi-teachers like Nicodemus (John 3:2)
These require skill or knowledge, but are not spiritually free by definition.
🧱 3. Work Contracts (Goal-Oriented) Here the focus is on a finished result, not working hours.
Biblical examples:
Peter, the fisherman (John 21:3)
Rahab, the harlot (Joshua 2)
David, the shepherd (1 Samuel 16:11)
There is some freedom here – but also insecurity.
🧑🔧 4. Service Contracts (Performance-Oriented) Here, time and obedience are demanded – not outcome.
Biblical examples:
Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 1)
Daniel at the royal court (Daniel 1:19)
Roman soldiers (Luke 3:14)
This is clearly servanthood – and in some cases: slavery.
“And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt […] therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:15 – KJV1611)
🤝 Servants, Slaves and the Dependent Scripture distinguishes between:
Servants – economically dependent
Slaves – fully subjected
“And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master […] I will not go out free.” (Exodus 21:5) “For of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.” (2 Peter 2:19)
Whoever has no freedom to decide what, when, or why they work – is a servant or slave in biblical terms. Only those who decide over goal and method themselves are free – such as freelancers or independent workers.
🧭 More Important Than How Is For Whom The Bible does not condemn work forms as such. What matters is:
How you work
Whom you serve
Whether you remain faithful to God
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17 – KJV1611)
❗ Warning: Unrighteous Income 📦 Retail & Wholesale Often focused solely on profit. Products are overhyped, customers misled, prices manipulated. Those who take part are lying – even if just working the cash register.
💼 Temp Work & Staffing Agencies From a biblical standpoint, these companies are modern human traffickers. They profit from reselling human labor. Man becomes a commodity – not the image of God.
“That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes.” (Amos 8:6 – KJV1611)
This is no exaggeration. These companies unite the worst of:
Greedy merchants
Oppressive masters
And sell it as “opportunity.”
📌 Conclusion It is not merely about the type of work. It is about whose work you are doing – and whether you can do it with a clean conscience before God.
“No man can serve two masters […] Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24 – KJV1611)
✋ Be Aware Whom You Serve How do you earn your income?
Do you work honestly, justly, and with a joyful heart – as unto the LORD?
Or do you merely try to get by – sacrificing truth, love, and faith?
👉 Examine yourself. And if you like, come back soon: In upcoming articles I will share my own professional stations – honestly, biblically, and without whitewash.
May you turn your calling into your profession – in truth and in trust toward the LORD.
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