Finding Common Ground

We live in a world full of diverse opinions, beliefs, and practices. Whether it’s at work, in our families, or even within our own church community, we often find ourselves needing to navigate these differences. But how do we find common ground and move forward together? This morning we’ll be looking at a powerful example of how the early church dealt with such a situation.

The early church was grappling with significant cultural and religious differences between Jewish and Gentile believers. The question at hand was whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish customs to be true Christians. This was causing division, and the leaders needed to find a solution that honored God and united the believers.

Let’s read Acts 15:22-29.

What do we see first? We should…

Seek Unity Through Leadership (22)

The apostles and elders, who were the leaders of the church, along with the whole church, decided to send Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two respected leaders, to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. This decision wasn’t made by a few individuals; it was a collective choice involving the entire church. They understood the importance of having trusted and wise leaders guide them through this conflict.

I’m not sure we can find congregational government in this verse, but we certainly see group decision making and the general approval of James’ conclusion. There’s the question of Luke’s “the whole church.” Should we take him literally? Was everybody happy? Did his judgment really silence the Pharisee Christians? Did the Judaizers agree with this plan?

Probably so, generally speaking. Whatever they may have felt in their hearts, the group as a whole went along with the general body and agreed to notify the Gentiles of the conclusion.

We need to consider who was sent to Antioch.

Obviously, Paul and Barnabas would return to Antioch. But what if they came back alone with the letter? Think about it. The Pharisee believers might have been justified in complaining about a one-sided conference.

But since Judas and Silas (Judas is a Hebrew name, and Silas a Greek name) came along, it showed concensus of the Jerusalem church.

Just like the early church, we may face conflicts and disagreements in our lives. Whether it’s in our families, workplaces, or church communities, these challenges can create division. Instead of trying to handle everything on our own, we should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and trust our leaders who can provide perspective and help us navigate these issues.

Now let’s look at verses 25-27. The Apostles and elders help us to see that we should…

Communicate Clearly and Respectfully (23-27)

The apostles and elders wrote a letter to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. This letter was clear, direct, and respectful, addressing the specific concerns that were causing division. By providing a written explanation, they ensured that everyone received the same message, reducing the risk of misunderstandings.

It’s beautiful to see that this letter expressed the loving unity of people who had once been debating with each other and defending opposing views. The traditionalist Jews willingly gave up insisting that the Gentiles had to be circumcised to be saved, and the Gentiles willingly accepted a change in their eating habits. It was a loving compromise that did not in any way affect the truth of the Gospel.

The letter contains an apology for the trouble Judaizers may have caused in Antioch, I think, clearly indicating that the church at large didn’t agree with their point of view.

The letter commends Barnabas and Paul and introduces Judas and Silas, even indicating the purpose of their trip: to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. These two would provide not only an eyewitness account but a “Jerusalem interpretation” of the letter. They would answer any questions the Gentile believers might ask regarding what the letter really means. Notice that the expected reading audience was wider than just Antioch, including all of Syria and Cilicia.

In our own lives, misunderstandings and conflicts often arise because of poor communication. We might assume others know what we’re thinking or feeling, but unless we communicate clearly and respectfully, those assumptions can lead to bigger problems. We need to express ourselves in a way that others can understand and appreciate.

Action Step: Think about a situation where you have a misunderstanding or conflict with someone. Take the time to communicate your thoughts and feelings clearly and respectfully. Write down what you want to say, focusing on being clear and respectful. Then, have a conversation or send a message to the person involved, making sure to listen to their response as well. This week, practice clear and respectful communication and observe how it helps resolve misunderstandings and builds stronger relationships.

Now let’s look at verses 28-29. We learn that we should…

Focus on What Truly Matters (28-29)

The letter from the apostles and elders emphasized what was truly important for the Gentile believers. Instead of burdening them with unnecessary rules and preferences, they focused on a few essential practices: the first, deeply held traditions, abstaining from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and the last that which is universally wrong, from sexual immorality. These guidelines were meant to help the believers live in harmony and stay true to their faith without overwhelming them.

What did this decision accomplish in a practical way? At least three things. First, it strengthened the unity of the church and kept it from splitting into two extreme “Law” and “grace” groups.

Eisenhower called the right kind of compromise “all of the usable surface. The extremes, right or left, are in the gutters.” Meaning forget about them. Only focus on what we agree on.

Again, this is not compromising the cardinal doctrines, those that are clearly stated in Scripture and affect our salvation, for that is always wrong (Jude 3). Rather, it is learning to give and take in the practical arrangements of life so that people can live and work together in love and harmony.

Second, this decision made it possible for the church to present a united witness to the lost Jews (Acts 15:21). We need to be able to present a united front to others.

Third, this decision brought blessing as the letter was shared with the various Gentile congregations.

In our daily lives, we often get bogged down by minor details and distractions that can cause unnecessary stress and conflict. It’s important to identify what truly matters and focus on those priorities. By doing so, we can live more purposefully and harmoniously with others.

Action Step: Reflect on a current disagreement or conflict you may be having with someone. Make a list of the issues that are causing division. Then, review this list and identify which issues are important enough to deal with. Avoid “you always, or you never” statements. Avoid generalizations. If it’s church conflict, identify which issues are essential to our mission of proclaiming the Gospel and which ones might be less important. This week, focus on the top three priorities that align with our mission to share the love and message of Jesus. Let go of at least one less important disagreement. By prioritizing what truly matters, we can be as united as possible as a church and effectively fulfill our mission.

In Acts 15:22-29, we see a powerful example of how the early church worked through their differences to find unity. They sought guidance from their leaders, communicated clearly and respectfully, and focused on what truly mattered. These principles are just as important for us today.

Conclusion:

Think about your own life and our church community. How can you seek to help resolve conflicts? How can you communicate more clearly and respectfully with others? What are the essential priorities that we need to focus on to fulfill our mission of proclaiming the Gospel?

Let’s commit to applying these principles this week. Make an effort to communicate openly and respectfully, and focus on what truly matters – sharing the love and message of Jesus.