Acts 15-Handling Division

A Church on the verge of Division

Division is one of the greatest threats to the church. Throughout history, conflicts over doctrine, traditions, leadership, and personal preferences have caused splits among God’s people.

In acts 15, the early church faced a critical moment of division. Jewish and Gentile believers had different views on how to follow Jesus, and a big stink rose over this disagreement.

The Threat of Division

The first church-wide controversy was over what did Gentiles have do in order to be saved Acts 15:1-5

Acts 15:1–5 ESV

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

The teaching that caused division vs. 1

We left off in chapter 14 with the church rejoicing over what God was doing in the gentile world, but some weren’t satisfied. Some Jewish Christians were teaching That you couldn’t be saved unless you were circumcised according to the custom of Moses.

This teaching showed some wanting to combine the salvation of Christ with the covenant for Israel because of their customs and traditions.

It raises the question: Was the sacrifice of Jesus good enough or did gentile Christians need to conform to Jewish standards.

2. Paul and Barnabas strongly disagree vs. 2

Paul and Barnabas, who had been preaching the Gospel to Gentiles, immediately opposed this teaching.

This wasn’t just a small disagreement, it was about the message of salvation.

A public debate arose, and the church in Antioch decided to send them to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders.

3. The church was divided vs. 3-5

On their way to Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas visited churches in the region to tell of the works done among the Gentiles and how He added them to the church.

However, when they arrived to Jerusalem, a group of Christians that were Pharisees insisted the Gentiles must be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses.

Two view points: 1. I must obey the Law of Moses, 2. The Law of Moses does not apply.

This is where a tradition over truth situation comes into play. You have one side that has been ingrained with this tradition that mattered for so long, that the thought of letting go of these strongly held beliefs is very offensive.

This is when the term legalism gets thrown out. Which the definition of legalism is the excessive adherence to law or formula. Excessive formula would be how we don’t say a prayer before taking up the collection. Excessive law would be how some in the religious world hold onto grace and faith to add the word alone next to those. Which is the church facing right now? Seems to be formula more than law by the simple fact that there is extra requirements rather than stringent adherence to one.

How to Resolve church divisions

The Jerusalem council provides a great biblical model for handling division in the Church. Instead of allowing emotions to rule, they allowed the actions and words of God to resolve the dispute.

Seek the Wisdom of Godly Leaders Acts 15:6-11

Acts 15:6–11 ESV

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

The apostles and elders gathered to listen and discuss the matter.

Peter stood up and reminded them that God had already accepted Gentiles without requiring them to follow Jewish laws

He pointed to an earlier event in Acts 10 where God had sent Peter to Cornelius. This gentile and others in his household had the Holy Spirit given to them without obeying Jewish traditions.

Peter warned against adding extra burdens to the Gentiles. Ultimately it would be testing God, saying, “Your way is not good enough. We need something better.”

2. Let Scripture and Godly wisdom guide their decisions Acts 15:12-18

Acts 15:12–18 ESV

12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 “ ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’

Paul and Barnabas would share testimonies of how God was saving Gentiles.

James spoke next. pointing to Amos 9:11-12.

Amos had prophesied that one day, Gentiles would be included in God’s kingdom without becoming Jews.

This confirmed that God had planned all along to save people from every nation, not just Israel.

3. Prioritize Unity While obeying the command’s of God Acts 15:19-29

Acts 15:19–29 ESV

19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” 22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

James gives the final decision: Gentiles are not required to keep the law of Moses to be saved. James gives a list of things that are culturally done by the pagans that must not be ignored.

The decision was clearly communicated by sending a letter through Barnabas, Paul, Judas Barsabbas, and Silas

A letter was written confirming that salvation was not found through obeying the Law of Moses. Instead the Gentiles recieved their own instruction by the Holy Spirit to abstain from certain things already mentioned. The end result of this was the church was encouraged in vs. 31

4. The Church is Encouraged Acts 15:30-35

Acts 15:30–35 ESV

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

A. The Jerusalem council’s decision brings encouragement

Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch, bringing the letter from Jerusalem.

The believers rejoiced because the conflict had been resolved.

Paul and Barnabas continue teaching and strengthening the church.

5. Personal Conflict Acts 15:36-41

Acts 15:36–41 ESV

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Paul suggests they revisit the churches from their first missionary journey.

Barnabas wants to take John Mark, but Paul refuses because John had abandoned them during a previous trip in Acts 13:13.

The disagreement gets to a point that they part ways. Barnabas takes John Mark to Cyprus. Paul and Silas continue the mission in Syria and Cilicia

They continued to work even thought hey disagreed. They did not allow personal feeling and grudges to “stop” them from working.

God can still work through division, because as what we eventually see in 2 Timothy 4:11, John Mark becomes useful.

Strive for Unity

Acts 15 shows that unity is something that every person can strive for.

Are we seeking after the things of God or ourselves?

Do we handle disagreements in a way that honors Christ?

Do we allow personal conflicts to hinder God’s mission, or do we trust Him to work through them?

There is always a path to unity.