Resolving Disputes God's Way
[Acts 15]INTRODUCTION
A. I probably do not have to tell you that many people outside the church have a misconception that the church is made up of perfect people - or at least is supposed to be made up of perfect people. And they often complain when people in the church demonstrate that they are not perfect. I also probably do not have to tell you that the people who make up the church are less than perfect - we all make mistakes and none of us is without sin. We don't always get along with one another, either! Sometimes, we have disagreements and disputes over what the Lord would have us to do, or what a particular text is really teaching. What do we do then?
B. Sadly, many local congregations end up dividing because they do not know how to resolve disputes in the way God would have us. When we think about it, such should never be the case with congregations where all members seek to know the truth, for when disputes do arise, why not just see what God has revealed about Resolving Disputes God's Way and do just that? If we are seeking to know what God would have us do on other matters, why not see what God says about resolving disputes when they arise?
C. Today, let us consider God's Way Of Resolving Disputes, as found in Acts 15. On this occasion, there had been some Jews from Jerusalem who came down to Antioch and were teaching that it was necessary that the Gentiles be circumcised in order to be saved. Paul and Barnabas had disputed such a claim, but were unsuccessful in convincing the brethren and the matter was not resolved as it should have been. So what did they do? Let's read this account First, Acts 15;1-30 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."6 ¶ Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.8 "So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,9 "and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they." 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, listen to me:14 "Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.15 "And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:16 'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.'18 "Known to God from eternity are all His works.19 "Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 "but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from
things strangled, and from blood. 21 "For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath." 22 ¶ Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law" --to whom we gave no such commandment--25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. 30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
First of all
I. THEY HAD A PROPER ATTITUDE [v. 2]
A. Seeking The Truth. We are not told the motives behind the men from Jerusalem who were teaching that circumcision was necessary, but we do know that when the dispute arose, they were among the ones who agreed to send to Jerusalem to find out what the truth of the matter was. Even the ones who were wrong on this matter agreed to send Paul and Barnabas and others to Jerusalem to obtain an answer (v. 2). Would we be as willing?
1. Some Are Not Really Seeking The Truth. Far too often, when disputes arise amongst brethren, one side or the other is found to not really be interested in the truth. They have chosen a doctrine or a position or a side and that is where they stand. They care not to hear the truth on the matter because it wouldn't make a difference. Their minds are made up and even the truth would have no effect on their hearts. Such attitudes are seen in the Israelites of old who came to Jeremiah, asking "that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do." (Jer. 42:3) But when Jeremiah gave the answer, their true hearts were revealed and they accused him of speaking lies (43:2). They never really wanted to hear the truth! (42:20-22)2. Some Are Merely Seeking To Justify Themselves. And almost as often, when disputes arise, some will appear to be interested in knowing and following truth when, in reality, they seek the answer of other men who will agree with them. Like the smoker who keeps going until he finds a doctor who says it is not harmful, many brethren keep moving around to congregations until they find one that teaches what they want to hear. When Ahab sent for Micaiah, the messenger even told him, "Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement." (1 Kings 22:8)
He just wanted to hear someone who would agree with the others - not truth!
3. Some Seek Only To Save Face. And, sad to say, some do not seek the truth but only to save face - to make themselves look good. They will never admit wrong even when it is clearly obvious, but seek a way out so they can continue to appear perfect before men. When Jesus was questioned about His source of authority, He asked them a question the
could not answer without incriminating themselves, so they said, "We do not know." (Matt. 21:23-27).
4. Some Seek Public Approval. And, finally, some are not seeking the truth, but the approval of the brethren. Truth is compromised when such attitudes are present, for the answer will always be whatever allows them to stay in the good favor of those whom they seek favor. It may be a preacher who seeks to stay where he is and keep his support, a child seeking approval from his or her parents, a brother or sister in Christ who does not want to lose a friendship, or even elders who do not want to pacify a large contributor. Whatever the case, truth is not sought, but compromised. Such attitudes were seen in the council when the apostles were arrested and told not to preach Jesus. When they discussed what they should do, the idea of following truth never entered their minds, but what they could do without upsetting the people (Acts 4:21).
B. Appealing To The Right Source. When those who disagreed sought the answer, they went to the right source: God! They determined to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to receive and answer from the apostles and elders (v. 2). The apostles, as the chosen men of Jesus, were inspired of the Holy Spirit to answer according to God's word.
This was as it should be: God had the final say.Would we be as willing to appeal to God's word for the final answer in disputes? Far too much division continues today because the disputants do not even agree what the standard is for resolving their differences. Some want to appeal to the creed books and others seek the opinions of men, but until all appeal to God and His word, nothing will ever be settled.
II. THEY HEARD BOTH SIDES [vv. 4, 5]
A. The Differences Were Clearly Distinguished. When the dispute arose and the men went up to Jerusalem, both sides presented their arguments clearly and in such a way that others could distinguish the real differences. Those who taught circumcision was necessary clearly stated, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." (v. 5) Paul and Barnabas simply told of all things God had done with them - among the Gentiles (v. 4). But, let us recognize that the differences were clear; there was no confusion and there was certainly not a misunderstanding about what one side or the other taught and believed. This is important to note because some disputes today are made purposefully ambiguous.
1. Disputes About God's Law On Marriage. Of all the disputes that exist today, this issue has attracted its share of attention, and many of the disputants are making their positions purposefully ambiguous so as to confuse those who might hear them.
a. The 'Kingdom Law.' Some are teaching that a man unlawfully divorced before his conversion may remain in his second marriage because he was not amenable to the law of Christ before his conversion. And when challenged, they will often say, "Don't you believe baptism washes away sin?" When, instead, the question needs to be, "What has he done to show repentance?" The real question is not asked, oftentimes, and the issue is rarely resolved.
b. 'Mental divorce.' Some are now teaching that a woman who has been put away without the cause of fornication may remarry later if her husband commits fornication after the divorce and she does some act of "putting him away" for fornication. [A post-divorce divorce?] But when challenged on this, some will argue that we are recognizing the laws of men over the laws of God. This is only clouding the real issue, which is: "Can one who has already been put away, put away the one who put him or her away?" [Is there such thing as a second "putting away"?] Because many have sidetracked this issue into a question of man's laws versus God's laws, the real issue is left unresolved.
2. Disputes About Salvation. Some are just as ambiguous on the matter of our salvation, too. The differences are certainly real, but often the real root of the differences is never discussed.a. Baptism. I probably do not have to tell you that most of the denominational world denies the necessity of baptism in our salvation. But often, the real issue is not baptism at all, but what part man plays in his salvation. The real issue, it seems, is whether or not man must do anything, or is it all in God's hands. If man can do nothing towards his own salvation, the question is not merely about baptism, but also belief, repentance, and confession - anything of man!
b. Apostasy. Some also argue that a man cannot ever fall into sin to the point his salvation could be forfeited [once saved, always saved]. Many of the arguments appeal to the statement that we can never be separated from the love of God (Rom. 8:39). But the real issue goes much further back than this, for it is a matter of the Calvinistic idea
that God has already chosen all men who will be saved and because of this, would never allow one to fall away.
The real issue, again, is whether or not man plays a part in his own salvation. <Must we do anything?>
B. Evidence Was Presented. After much dispute, it was time to present evidence that would convict the observers of the truth. Without evidence strong enough to convict, the dispute would never be resolved for there would always remain a "shadow of a doubt."
1. Peter's Argument. (vv. 7-11) Peter could testify from personal experience what God thought about the Gentiles. He related the story of how he had gone to Cornelius and how God had given to them the Holy Spirit, just as he had done to the apostles (v. 8). He said God had chosen him to go to the Gentiles that they might hear the word and believe (v. 7). He said God made no distinction between Jew or Gentile in purifying the heart by faith (v. 9). His conclusion was that it was not right in putting a "yoke" on the Gentiles that they, and their fathers, could not bear (v. 10). He concluded that Jew and Gentile would be saved in the same manner (v. 11).Let us note that Peter simply told of what he had done among the Gentiles, and what God Himself had done among the Gentiles. These things alone were evidence enough that the question could be settled. Peter necessarily concluded that God approved of the Gentiles based on what had happened among them.
They did not need a personal revelation from God.
2. Paul and Barnabas' Evidence. To aid in the defense of the refutation of the necessity of circumcision, Paul and Barnabas told of the "many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles." (v. 12) Why was this important? If God would do this among the Gentiles, it signaled His approval of what Paul and Barnabas were doing! [Since they did not teach the necessity of circumcision, God obviously did not require it.]Again, we see the use of necessary conclusion-inference to teach truth. Paul and Barnabas saw these things firsthand and concluded God approved of what they were doing, and they knew others would conclude the same thing because it was a necessary conclusion.
3. James' Use Of Scripture. When Peter had recalled his experience with Cornelius and after Paul and Barnabas had presented their evidence, James then stood up and presented Scripture to back them up. He appealed to the words of Amos as that which prophesied of the day when the Gentiles would be called by His name (9:11, 12). Again, the necessary conclusion would be that they were approved of God and required nothing further.
4. Some Noteworthy Points To Consider.
a. The use of sound reasoning and Scripture. Too often, in the midst of disputes, the arguments presented are neither sound nor reasonable, but emotional pleas based on traditional beliefs and practices, or an effort to justify practices, doctrines, or situations already existing. When the dispute arose at Antioch and when the arguments were presented at Jerusalem, emotional arguments and traditional practice were absent from the hearing. Let us determine that when disputes arise, we will offer up only sound and reasonable arguments, evidence that will convict beyond a reasonable doubt, and a sincere appeal to the Scriptures so that others may clearly understand the truth. Emotion and tradition may sway others, but it will not convict them of truth. What is our goal?
b. Irrefutable arguments. Let us also note that when the evidence was presented by Peter and Paul and Barnabas and James, it was so irrefutable that nothing else need be said. The Judaizing teachers did not further argue their case. Could it be that they had nothing else to say, no Scripture to defend their doctrine? Whatever the case, nothing else was said by those who taught the necessity of circumcision; their argument had been defeated and exposed as false.
Let us note well that we have no record of those who taught it saying anything more. Let us learn to accept that we may be wrong when irrefutable arguments are presented.
III. A CONCLUSION WAS REACHED
A. A Decision Was Made. After all the arguments were presented, the evidence shown, and the Scriptures cited, a decision was made - based on those things alone. The apostles did not take time to poll the brethren as to what they thought they should do, did not consider the prevailing winds of societal mores, and they did not consult the religious leaders of the day. They also did not put it off until another day so one side could rally others to their side and lobby for their view. James stood up and said, "Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God" (v. 19). The letter they would send declared that those who taught the necessity of circumcision had "troubled" them by so doing (v. 24). As the ones chosen particularly by Jesus and given the responsibility of teaching His express will, the answer was that they had given no such commandment.
In other words: Do not demand circumcision.
B. All Agreed. The conclusion was not a matter of voting on it to see if the majority of the apostles and elders and the brethren agreed; truth was never a matter of majority rule. When the word was spoken, we find "it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men" to deliver the message (v. 22); this is what all determined should be done. Among those who are honest in heart, truth will always be the majority and there will be no dissent.
IV. THE ANSWER WAS ACCEPTED
I'm sure most of us would like to think there was some more discussion about the matter when the letter was read, but the record tells us only, "When they read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement." (v. 31) The simple fact is, when the issue was presented, the arguments offered, the evidence shown, and the conclusion reached, the answer was accepted without further ado. If we would only learn to respond to the word of God as these men did!
CONCLUSION
Friends and brethren, this is God's Way Of Resolving Disputes! There is no promise of complete peace and harmony among brethren, or even a promise of no differences. By the mere fact that we are all humans at different levels of knowledge and understanding only ensures that differences will arise and, often, disputes that are difficult to resolve.
But, I am not one who will ever say, "Let's just agree to disagree." That should never be the response when brethren disagree! If we disagree, we need to follow the pattern given for us in this text. Let us be ones who are honestly seeking the truth on each and every issue, and ones who appeal to the word of God for every answer. Let us be willing to hear both sides of every issue, with our beliefs clearly presented that all may understand the true issue over which we may be in dispute. Then, let us offer up sound and reasonable arguments, with evidence that convicts beyond a shadow of a doubt and Scripture - properly used - to back it up. And when all these things are done, let us conclude to believe, teach, and follow that which is necessitated by the evidence and Scripture. Let us accept God's answer without hesitation.
INVITATION...
Are you one who has accepted His gospel? Are you one who believes the word of God when He testifies that Jesus is His Son? That He is the Christ? Are you convicted beyond a shadow of a doubt and willing to respond in repentance of past sins and a daily confession that He is your Lord and Savior? Would you become one of His children?
Will you come?