Disagreements (in Three parts)
Most of us don't care for confrontation. I don't like it at all. I stress and sweat and worry. Mostly about what I'm going to say and how I'm going to say it and the person I am intending to say it all too. What are we told not to talk about in public when we are out and about? Politics, Religion, and Sports. Steer clear of the big 3 and just talk about the weather. Oh brother. That can lead to a disagreement about climate change. How about we just don't go out at all. We'll just order in. Then comes the disagreement about paying for Door Dash to deliver it and whether or not to tip the driver. (Yea, it gets expensive.) Finances can be the number one thing to argue about within the home. So many people in our world and so many things to get bent out of shape about.
Of course, the subject of religion is front and center for us today. It will be a major issue for the first century church and much of what Paul and John and Peter end up writing in their letters concerns dealing with what outside groups and forces are trying to teach others in spite of what the disciples and apostles are sharing about Jesus. The matter as we enter Acts 15 is circumcision, as it will be for much of the conversation through out the New Testament letters ahead. When your organization has used a certain method for control all these centuries, it can be especially hard to let go of that practice. But, it is not simply a "letting go" for the Hebrew people. It is a complete shift from a physical act and sign being done to the body as an outward sign of the faith they are to be engaging in toward one of spiritual significance. Circumcision will be replace by a water baptism. This marking of the flesh will be changed to a marking of the heart with a sign to be shown in ones actions and behaviors. Lets see what happens when faith and practice come head to head.
The first epistle. Yes, here we go. "
Hello. We heard some people were bothering you. Maybe we can help." Paul's for mat is always direct and clear. He is very good at making sure all parties know who they are and he always precise in what he is writing to his audience about. I like this little reference I found on the internet about what an Epistle actual is.
What we will see in the years ahead for people like Paul is that he will write letters either after he has visited a group and worked in their midst. He then wants to encourage them and strengthen them so they can keep on with the plan of sharing Jesus and growing the church. Paul will also share teaching and thoughts he wants them to dwell on before he comes back around to be in their fellowship a second time. What we see in Acts 15 is a short, to the point, type letter that means for the communities in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia to be ready for these men to come there.
Letters like this would be a precursor to the much more elaborate letters we would see ahead. Paul finds a true tool to be used in sharing the support he needs to give these small beginnings in the faith as they grow and become the churches that would shape the world of faith in the first century.
However, not all disagreements can be handled easily and smoothly. Whether in letter or in person. Some of my ancestors came from German speaking backgrounds and upon coming to the New World would branch off and start a new church with their own ideas about faith. We've seen it happen a million times over since the church began. People will get an idea or an angle on theology or doctrine that they feel is important and want to branch off in order to hold this one ideal as superior to others. I've read the beggings and pleadings of the "Mother church" who would share that the people leaving should return to the fold else they wind up in Hell or receive some eternal punishment for breaking away. It's all harsh and surrounded by so much rhetoric of power and authority. It seems two major players in this chapter find themselves in a similar type of confrontation as they set their eyes out toward the mission field to carry on the work of sharing the good news. It seems that simply because of who Barnabas wanted to take with him was enough of a dividing issue to cause Paul to choose his own person and the two early pillars in the church have to part and go their separate ways. Maybe for the best. Now they can cover more ground, reach more people. Its not that they have any difference over the Gospel or Jesus Christ. They just wanted to take different people with them. The silliest things can cause division in the church.
Can we carry on in spite of the differences we have among us?
Can we be God's people to the world and share the forgiveness and mercy of Jesus Christ with the people around despite our minor conflicts over race, or ceremonial markings or the way "we" think things should be? (Or. even who we want to go with us on the journey?)
Let us focus on what is important.
People needs Jesus. We don't need to be in control for that to happen.
Just open your heart and say, "God use me."
The rest will fall into place.
Blessings.
Comments
Post a Comment