ACTS - WEEK 17

Conflict in the Church


Leader overview: In this passage, we see two examples of disagreement in the church. The first is regarding the nature of the Gospel, the most central issue of the Christian faith, and the second on something secondary, about which we are aren’t given full details.
In both instances we see The Church strengthened by the opportunities afforded by conflict.


READ ACTS 15:1-11


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.”

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.”

  1. What stands out to you from the passage?

  2. What is dangerous about the message that is brought down from Judea?

  3. What three facts does Peter remind the Council of, and what conclusions does he draw from them?

  4. How does having this conflict help the church clarify their position on salvation?

  5. What are some instances in which having a deep gospel conviction would enable you stand firm in the face of false ideas or teachings?

READ ACTS 15:36-42

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.

1. How do you feel about these early church leaders reach a sharp, seemingly unresolvable disagreement? Do you tend to see disagreements and conflicts as a sign of strength or weakness?

2. How might the splitting in two different ways here actually be for the Gospel’s gain?


APPLY

1. When you find yourself facing a potential conflict, do you tend to a) go on the offensive, b) avoid it c) just agree with the other person, d) something else.


2. How does the Gospel help us in conflict in situations where:
a) the other party refuses to acknowledge wrong?

b) someone reveals an area that we ourselves are wrong?

c) no agreement can be reached?

PRAY

Pray that we would be people who are empowered by the gospel to do conflict in a way that makes us healthier and stronger.