Acts 15:13-35 Resolving major conflicts is not an easy task. But the early church did resolve this major issue! The way in which the process was resolved is worth imitating, even today. The results of conflict resolution bring hope, encouragement, and peace. It is worthwhile and beneficial even if it is difficult to address.
Conflict resolution Part 1
Acts 15: 13-35
Initial conflicts:
Personal conflicts: repent and forgiveness
Attacks from without:
Spiritual weapons: Prayer and forgiveness
Internal conflicts:
Appeal process to accepted leadership is there a political struggle for the leadership of this movement? Do the Pharisees want to take control of the movement. (Is that why are they testing God like Ananias and Sapphira? Are they harassing believers?) Notice that leaders (elders) were set in place in the churches in Turkey!
Open debate – notice that the debate does not center around the great commission that Jesus gave his disciples!
Appeal to God’s intervention –
1.He moves, and we accept his doing. (See the witness of Peter, Barnabas, and Paul)
2. Faith is the basis of salvation and inclusion in the family of God!
3. Continuity of the movement is not the replacement of Israel, but its expansion
4. Not the elimination of the Torah, but it’s prophetic fulfillment
The confirmation of Scripture (Amos 9:10,11; and 2 Samuel 6:17) a different interpretation!
The submission to and confirmation by the church legitimizes the decision.
James sums up the debate and makes the case stating that God was involved in the process by His Holy Spirit, but then submits the decision to all fellowships!
The clarity of the process leaves the leadership intact and becomes a focus among all the churches.
More at stake here than just a theological controversy, there is also a clarification concerning leadership (do not harass the Gentiles!), administration and growth within the movement – locally and among the apostles.
In this case, this council gave direction to the whole movement, including a new definition of “the people of God!” The reaction is for the church not to dictate God’s actions, but to discern them! Nor is it to close the Scriptures to further interpretation, but to open them: all nations share as equals in the faith with out discrimination since God shows not partiality! For the people of faith, this issue has never again required resolution.
Do we find resolutions that end our squabbles? Do we seek God’s intervention, and do we accept his ways by submitting to him?