Articles
RESOLVING DIFFERENCES
07/16/10 10
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.”--Acts 17:6 (NKJV)
The first century believers turned their world upside down. So how did they do it and how can we do it?
The book of Acts gives several insights into what empowered God’s people to do great things. Clearly they were filled with the Holy Spirit--turning the world upside down was a God-thing. They also were constantly together--they didn’t try to do it alone. There was a spirit of encouragement that kept them moving. And they knew how to handle adversity--even the worst of times. But there was another significant characteristic of the first century followers that spurred them on to turning their world upside down. Acts 15 outlines one key to turning the world upside down:
“While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: ‘Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently.”--Acts 15:1-2
The first century church was not without its disagreements. Acts 15 describes an issue that caused a major clash: some thought everyone basically had to become Jewish in order to become a Christian. This was a significant, historical issue--and perhaps the first major theological, emotional and intellectual dispute in the church.
Check out the happy ending:
“‘This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings! ‘We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.’ The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.”--Acts 15:23-31 (NLT) Read More...
The first century believers turned their world upside down. So how did they do it and how can we do it?
The book of Acts gives several insights into what empowered God’s people to do great things. Clearly they were filled with the Holy Spirit--turning the world upside down was a God-thing. They also were constantly together--they didn’t try to do it alone. There was a spirit of encouragement that kept them moving. And they knew how to handle adversity--even the worst of times. But there was another significant characteristic of the first century followers that spurred them on to turning their world upside down. Acts 15 outlines one key to turning the world upside down:
“While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: ‘Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.’ Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently.”--Acts 15:1-2
The first century church was not without its disagreements. Acts 15 describes an issue that caused a major clash: some thought everyone basically had to become Jewish in order to become a Christian. This was a significant, historical issue--and perhaps the first major theological, emotional and intellectual dispute in the church.
Check out the happy ending:
“‘This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings! ‘We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.’ The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.”--Acts 15:23-31 (NLT) Read More...