Author : Keith Sharp
The Lord wants his people to be united in faith (Philippians 1:27). We should believe, teach, and practice the same essential requirements for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:10). Nonetheless, divisions over what God requires do arise in local congregations (1 Corinthians 11:18-19). How, then, are we to meet these crises of faith in the local church? How can the congregation settle doctrinal issues?
Just such a problem arose in the first century church, and the way they handled this crisis is a model for us. Acts chapter 15 records this event, and the apostle Paul mentions it in Galatians 2:1-10. The two passages reveal a seven step process the Lord wants a congregation to follow when issues of faith threaten to divide the local church.
Please read Acts 15:1-2. Some teachers from Judea taught the brethren in Antioch that they had to be circumcised as Moses taught in the Law in order to be saved. This made conversion to Judaism essential to salvation. If they had not been stopped the Law of Moses would have been added to the Gospel as necessary to salvation, and the church of Christ would have become a sect of the Jews. So Paul and Barnabas had a big dispute and argument with them.
Now please read Galatians 2:3-5. These false brethren had come in secretly and even tried to force Titus, a Gentile, to be circumcised, but the apostle Paul refused to allow this. The teaching had come from Judea, the source of the Gospel, so the brethren in Antioch wanted to know if the church in Jerusalem, where there were apostles and elders, approved this teaching. It is alright for the congregation to seek advice from respected Christians outside the local church. But the first principle is this: In issues that involve the faith we must not yield.
Now, please read Acts 15:4-6 and Galatians 2:1-2, 6-10. When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem, they met privately with the apostles and elders about the issue before they took it before the whole church. They wanted to make sure there was unity in the leadership of the church, so their work with the Gentiles would not be ruined. So, the leaders of the church first met privately to make sure they were united.
Next, please read Acts 15:6-7,12. But the congregation was divided over the issue. So the leaders of the church disputed with the false teachers before the whole multitude of the disciples. No uninspired leader can tell people what they must believe. Each person should hear both sides and decide for himself what the truth is. Truth has nothing to fear from open investigation. Only false teachers want to keep a divisive issue from being openly discussed. The whole church should come together to hear the issue discussed.
Please read Acts 15:7 and Galatians 2:4. The leaders were united, but there was much disputing before the whole church. This implies the members of the church were divided. The leaders allowed the false teachers to present their side even though these false teachers had not been honest in their approach. Both sides of every issue should be fairly considered by the whole congregation.
Next please read Acts 15:7-18 and Amos 9:11-12. When the false teachers had said all they had to say, the apostles and elders answered them. They did not have to receive any new revelation from God, because the Holy Spirit had already made known that Gentiles were saved by the Gospel without being circumcised or keeping the Law of Moses. So the apostles simply reminded the church what they should have already known. They appealed to divine revelation to settle the issue.
Now read Acts 15:19-21 and Galatians 1:19. Then James, the brother of the Lord, whom Paul called an apostle, stated the position of the church on the matter. After the issue has been thoroughly discussed before the whole church, a leader of the church should state the position of the church.
Finally, please read Acts 15:22-29. The whole church agreed with James, and this brought peace, unity, and joy. The elders in Jerusalem could only speak for that congregation, whereas the apostles, who spoke by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, stated the truth on this issue for all Christians in every age. The letter they sent, since it was from the Holy Spirit through apostles, became the very first portion of New Testament Scripture. This does not mean a church, elder, missionary, or evangelist from America can tell you what you must believe. You, as the brethren in Jerusalem, have the right and obligation to hear both sides and to decide for yourselves what the truth is. But if we will follow this divine model for settling doctrinal issues in the church with the same attitude the Christians in Jerusalem had, peace, unity, and joy in the church will follow.
Thus, we have a divine, seven step model for settling differences regarding the faith in the congregation.
- In issues that involve the faith we must not yield.
- The leaders of the church should first meet privately to make sure they are united.
- The whole church should come together to hear the issue discussed.
- Both sides of every issue should be fairly considered by the whole congregation.
- Divine revelation should settle the issue.
- A leader of the church should state the position of the church.
- Peace, unity, and joy in the church should follow.
By following this apostolic approved example we will show our faith in divine wisdom and truth, respect the freedom of conscience of every Christian, and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
