The church debates and all of this is normal still
we are a family and we can figure things out according to God's will
in Acts chapter 15, the church faced yet another debate
it was not the first conflict nor the last that they would be in this state
God has already asked that we sit together and reason together
without conflict we wont grow or even become better
The methods we use to find solutions to our conflict is wherein lies the keys
the keys to keep the unity when one, two, or a multitude disagrees
The conflict here was grace versus the law
The greeks disagreed as some of the Phariesees found flaw
They tried to make the Gentiles be circumcised
this act would have been cruel and could have led to the believers demise
The leaders stepped in to make a decision about this
The people needed to come together, and the matter not dismiss
The leaders made a decision that pleased the entire group
there was more than just one input, a few bullies just wouldn't do
These Scriptures show how God would have His church handle conflict or confusion, when one needs questions asked, they shouldn't be ignored but given solutions
When the church debates we should not panick, but as Christians, handle the situation God's way
Reach the lost, encourage one another, and in the end when we go with God's Word, it will be because we at first listened to what each other may have to say
Bro White has reached Acts 15. Bro White notes how even though the epistles are not written at the time of Acts; when they are pinned they many times refer back to the very occurences of Acts (namely the Acts of the apostles or Acts of the church). Bro White notes that Acts 15 has lapsed some time following the death of Jesus. There are a variety of groups coming to believe in Jesus, namely the Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles were the groups that did not adhere to the law of Moses. In Acts 15, not a small dissension arises where the Gentiles were being advised to be circumcised and that furthermore, they could not be saved unless they followed the law of Moses. The apostles, elders and other leaders went to confirm the believers together that only grace and truth was necessary for salvation and not adhereing to the old yoke, of the old covenant, which Paul stated that even their fathers could not uphold. The sayings of the apostles, elders, and brethren pleased the entire group. Bro White reminds us in this sermon of proper ways to handle conflict in ways that breed peace. Afterall, when we worship in righteousness, peace, and joy in God's Spirit, we are accepted of him regardless of handed down customs being born Jew or Gentile. In Christ, together, Jesus becomes all that we need, Bro White is going to continue in this chapter next week.
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