It was bound to happen sooner later.

A theological earthquake threatened to split the Church between Jews and Gentiles. The right wing Jewish conservatives insisted that Gentile converts must undergo circumcision and keep the Law to be saved (Acts 15).

The left wing liberals, including Paul and Barnabas, lobbied for a law-free Gospel of justification by faith. They are liberals in a good sense, standing up for the freedom of the Gospel of Christ.

If the fundamentalists had won the debate in Acts 15, the Good News would have become bad news for Gentiles. The Jesus Movement would have been confined as a sect within Judaism. The Gentile mission would have shipwrecked.

Thanks to good apostolic discernment and leadership, the opposite happened. The pure Gospel of Jesus escaped Judaism and took flight, spreading from people to people, culture to culture, nation to nation — to the ends of the earth.

That’s why we are here today reading about this story.

The issues of Acts 15 remain as relevant now as they were back then, especially when we make disciples and plant churches in unreached peoples. What is the relationship between the Gospel and culture? What forms and practices of the Singapore Church are appropriate for the new churches on the field? What do we mean when we say they should have the same DNA as ours? Must they dress like us, eat like us, worship like us? Must our converts become westernised Christians just like us? Are we practising a new form of Judaism? (Matthew 23:15)

Equally relevant for today is the apostolic model for resolving conflict and controversy without splitting the church. You don’t see the top leaders huddling behind closed doors only to come out later and impose their decrees on the rest of the church.

Far from it! The whole church was involved. How did they go about it? 

1. The apostles and elders gathered together to consider this matter. (Acts 15:6)
2. There was much debate. (Acts 15:7)
3. Peter rehearsed how Cornelius was saved without the Law. (Acts 15:7-11)
4. Before the whole assembly, Paul and Barnabas appealed to the miracles God worked among the Gentiles. (Acts 15:12)
5. James appealed to the Scripture — very important! (Acts 15:13-18)

And finally, after listening carefully and patiently and publicly to all parties and to the Holy Spirit, James reached a decision that seemed good to the whole church (Acts 15:19–29). Is this how we resolve conflicts and make decisions in the church today?

Fast and pray

• An Indian evangelist said: Do not bring us the gospel as a potted plant. Bring us the seed of the Gospel and plant it in our soil.
  Another wise Indian said: Give us the living water in an Indian cup and we’ll drink it.
  This reflects the wisdom of Acts 15:19: We should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God. Meaning, don’t impose Judaism on them. Just make them disciples of Jesus. Pray that Singapore’s missionaries and sending churches will not trouble the Gentiles by imposing western forms of Christianity on converts from other faiths. As Paul and Antioch de-Judaised the Jesus Movement for the Gentiles, pray that Singapore will de-westernise Christianity for the unreached peoples of Asia, and so become a true Antioch of Asia. 

• Conflicts are inevitable. No church is exempt. What are some hot potatoes? Charismatic gifts. Women in ministry. The role of the senior pastor. The role of the church board. Who has the final say over church direction, church discipline, church budget and leadership succession? More recently, we see intergenerational conflicts over worship styles. Also the genre of worship services. Do we keep it intergenerational? Or should young people run their own service separate from the main congregation? Conflicts don’t solve themselves. They fester. They deepen. They divide if we do not deal with them.
  Pray for pastors and leaders today. The Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 is a model of Christian unity, leadership and conflict resolution. James, the first among equals, listened to all sides of the debate before he reached a decision. Most of all, he listened to the Holy Spirit: it seemed good to us and the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28). Ask God to grant pastors and leaders courage to address all conflicts head-on — patiently, passionately, publicly, prayerfully — for the good of the Church and the glory of God!

• Conflicts can be resolved. Will you lead by example, whether in church, workplace or home? Examine yourself.
  Respond honestly to each question below:
    • Do I include everyone who should be involved?
    • Do I bring a calming presence to the group?
    • Do I allow honest dialogue and robust debate?
    • Do I listen deeply to all sides with an open mind?
    • Do I consider all the relevant facts, evidence and precedence?
    • Do I listen sensitively to what the Holy Spirit is saying?
    • Do I switch off when certain persons and parties argue their points?
    • Do I skirt around the issues to avoid confrontation?
    • Do I ask questions to clarify opinions?
    • Do I accept correction when given sound input?
    • Do I strive to bring resolutions that are both scriptural and Spirit-led?

• Conflict is an opportunity for the triumph of grace (David Mathis). And truth. Pray.