8 Bible Verses about Bigotry

I am indeed a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but educated in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, instructed accurately in the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as ye all are this day: so much so that I persecuted this way unto death, binding and delivering up to prisons both men and women.

BUT Saul, still breathing out threatenings and murder against the disciples of the Lord, applying to the high-priest, besought of him letters for the synagogues at Damascus, that if he should find any persons of this way, whether men or women, he might bring them in chains to Jerusalem. So advancing on his journey, he was drawing nigh to Damascus: and suddenly there shone around him a light from heaven: read more.
and falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Then said he, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting: It is difficult for thee to kick against the goads.

I indeed then thought in myself, that I ought to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus the Nazarean.

For ye have heard of my former manner of life, when I professed Judaism, that in the most outrageous manner I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: and signalized myself in Judaism above many of those of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly a zealot for the traditions of my fathers.

respecting the law, a Pharisee; with regard to zeal, persecuting the church; as touching the righteousness which is by the law, blameless.

Then were brought to him little children, that he should lay his hands upon them, and pray [for them]: but the disciples rebuked them.

And they brought unto him little children, that he should touch them: but his disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Then they brought him infants also, that he should touch them: but the disciples, when they saw it, rebuked them.

And they of the circumcision who were believers, as many as came with Peter, were amazed, because even on the Gentiles the gift of the holy Ghost was poured out.

And when Peter went up to Jerusalem, they of the circumcision disputed with him, saying, Thou hast gone in to men holding uncircumcision, and hast eaten with them.

And they, when they heard it, glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many myriads there are of Jews who have believed; and they are all zealots for the law: And they have been informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews, who are among the Gentiles, apostacy from Moses, saying, That they should not circumcise the children, nor walk after the usual practices. What then is to be done? The multitude must certainly be assembled; for they will hear that thou art come. read more.
Do this therefore which we say to thee: we have four men, who have a vow upon themselves; them take with thee, be purified with them, and be at the same expence as they, that they may shave their heads: and all men will know that there is no truth in the things reported of thee, but that thou thyself walkest orderly and observest the law. Concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we have already written, deciding that they should observe no such thing, except that they should guard themselves from idol sacrifices, and blood, and what is strangled, and from whoredom.

AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved. There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this question. They therefore being sent on their way by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving a particular narrative of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they related how great things God had done by them. But up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of Moses. Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider of this matter. When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe. And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith. Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds, insisting, that you should be circumcised, and observe the law: to whom we gave no such charge:

And even Titus, who was with me, though a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised: but this I did because of false brethren artfully introduced, who came to pry into our liberty which we hold in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom not even for an hour have we yielded subjection, that the truth of the gospel might abide with you.

WHAT then is the superiority of the Jew? or what is the advantage of circumcision? Much in every view: the principal one indeed is, that the oracles of God were entrusted to them. For what if some were unbelievers? shall their unbelief render the faithfulness of God ineffectual? read more.
God forbid: but let God be true, though every man were a liar; as it is written, "That thou mayest be acknowledged just in thy sayings, and overcome when thou art judged." But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is not God unrighteous in inflicting wrath? (I speak humanly). God forbid: for how then shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God by my lying hath more abundantly contributed to his glory; why am I notwithstanding judged as a sinner? And why not admit, (as we are falsely reported of; and as some affirm we say,) That we should do evil things, that good may come? whose condemnation is just. What then? have we pre-eminence? Not at all: for we have before proved that both the Jews and Greeks are all under sin; as it is written, "There is not a just person, no not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. All are turned aside together, they are become worthless; there is none that doeth good, there is not even one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have spoken craftily; the poison of asps is under their lips: whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: their feet are swift to shed blood: destruction and misery are in their ways. And they have not known the way of peace: there is not the fear of God before their eyes." Now we know that whatsoever things the law saith, it speaks to those who are under the law: that every mouth might be sealed up, and all the world become criminal before God. Wherefore by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified before God: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now distinct from the law the righteousness of God is manifest, receiving testimony from the law and the prophets; the righteousness of God indeed by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

WHAT then shall we say that Abraham our father hath obtained by the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he hath cause for glorying; though not before God. For what doth the scripture say? Abraham truly believed God, and it was imputed to him for righteousness. read more.
Now to him that worketh, the reward is not brought to account as a favour, but as a debt. But to him who doth not work, but believeth in him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned in account for righteousness. As David also describeth the blessedness of that man, to whom God imputeth righteousness without works, "Blessed are they whose unrighteousnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered up. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will in nowise impute sin." This blessedness then, [is it] for the circumcision, or for the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was imputed to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it imputed to him? when circumcised, or while uncircumcised? Not when circumcised, but whilst uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had when uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all those who believe, though uncircumcised; that to them also the righteousness might be imputed: and the father of circumcision, not to those who are of the circumcision merely, but who also tread in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, which he exercised while uncircumcised. For not by the law [came] the promise to Abraham and his seed, that he should be heir of the world, but by the righteousness of faith. For if they who are of the law are heirs, faith becomes vain, and the promise is useless: for the law causeth wrath: for where there is no law, neither is there transgression. Therefore it is by faith, that it might be of grace; in order that the promise might be secured to all the seed; not only to that which is of the law, but to that which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Now it was not written for his sake only, that it was imputed to him; but also for our sakes, to whom it will be imputed, if we believe in him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered up for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Then John addressed him, saying, Master, we saw a person in thy name casting out devils, who followeth us not: and we forbad him, because he did not follow us. Then said Jesus, Forbid him not: for there is no man who shall perform a miracle in my name, who will be able presently after to speak evil of me. For he that is not against us, is for us.

Then John addressing him said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and we forbad him, because he followed not with us. And Jesus said to him, Forbid him not; for he that is not against us, is for us.

And when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said within himself, If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of a woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a notorious sinner.

And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man entertains sinners, and eateth with them.

And when he was come to the spot, Jesus looking up, saw him, and said to him, Zaccheus, come down speedily; for to-day I must abide at thy house. And he hastened to come down, and entertained him gladly. And when they all saw it, they murmured, saying, That he is gone to lodge with a man, a notorious sinner.

crying out, Men of Israel, help! This is the man, who, by his preaching, sets all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: yea and more still, hath brought Greeks into the temple, and defiled this holy place: (for they had before seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they imagined that Paul had introduced into the temple.)

And they gave him audience to this sentence, and lifted up their voice, saying, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple, but we are the disciples of Moses. We know that God spake to Moses: but we know nothing of this man, whence he is.

They answered and said unto him, Thou wast wholly born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil: the Son of man is come eating and drinking, and they say, Behold, what a man! a glutton and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners: though wisdom hath been justified by her children.

But the Pharisee seeing it, marvelled, that he had not washed before dinner. Then said the Lord unto him, Now ye Pharisees make the outside of the cup and of the dish clean, but your inward parts are full of extortion and wickedness.

who both murdered the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us, and please not God, and are in opposition to all mankind; forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles, that they might be saved, to fill up the measure of their iniquities always: but wrath is coming upon them to the extremity.

And it came to pass, as the days hastened to their period when he should be received up [to glory], that he resolutely set his face to go to Jerusalem; and sent messengers before his face; and they advancing entered into a Samaritan village, to make preparation for him. And they would not admit him, because his face was directed to Jerusalem. read more.
And when the disciples James and John saw it, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them, just as Elias did? And turning to them, he reproved them, and said, Ye know not what spirit ye are of: for the Son of man came not to destroy men's lives, but to preserve them. And he proceeded to another village.

and sent messengers before his face; and they advancing entered into a Samaritan village, to make preparation for him. And they would not admit him, because his face was directed to Jerusalem.

The Samaritan woman therefore saith to him, How canst thou, a Jew, ask of me, who am a Samaritan woman, to drink? for Jews avoid all intercourse with Samaritans.

And upon this came his disciples, and wondered that he talked with the woman: yet no one said, What art thou seeking? or, Why art thou talking with her?

For I am a witness for them, that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of the righteousness which is of God, and seeking to establish a righteousness of their own, they have not submitted to the righteousness of God.

Therefore sought they the more to kill him, because he had not only broken the sabbath, but called God his own Father, setting himself on an equality with God.

And they were all filled with rage in the synagogue, when they heard these observations: