Biblical Conflict Resolution

 

By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 15:1-35

 

Acts 15:1-2

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.

(ESV)

 

Conflict is inevitable whenever groups of people come together.  The 2020 election in the United States had its share of conflict, climaxing in the storming of the Capitol on January 6, 2021, while Congress voted to certify the election.  While some do not agree with the outcome of the election, one thing is certain, no matter who won this election, there was going to be conflict.  While we should expect conflict in our corrupt world, the Church is to be an example of unity with Jesus saying that the world would know we are disciples of Christ because we love one another (John 13:35).  The text in Acts 15:1-35 describes a theological conflict occurring at the Church in Antioch which if not handled, could result in the Church dividing and the disheartenment of the new Gentile believers. 

 

The foundation for the dissension is the circumcision of the new Gentile believers in keeping with the law of Moses (Acts 15:1,5).  Paul and Barnabas attempt to resolve the dispute by debating with the dissenters but make no progress and decide to bring the dispute to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem (Acts 15:2).  During the debate, Peter reminds them of when the Lord poured out his Spirit on the Gentile believers in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48).  James then builds upon what Peter said by quoting the prophet Amos who spoke of the Lord’s desire that Jews and Gentiles would seek and call upon the name of the Lord (Acts 15:15-17; Amos 9:11-12). 

 

While not involving sin per se, the process of conflict resolution used by Paul and Barnabas resembles the process of resolution taught by Jesus in Matthew 18:15-17.  The process begins with Paul and Barnabas debating those bringing dissension (Acts 15:2).  When this did not bring resolution, they take some of the others with them to Jerusalem to present their question to the apostles and elders (Acts 15:2).  The wisdom of this decision is the wisdom offered by Peter, who witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles (Acts 10), and James who refers to the prophecy in Amos 9:11-12 stating that all nations will be called by the name of the Lord.  The result was a letter providing guidance to the Gentiles in Antioch that caused them to rejoice and find encouragement. 

 

The Church today must learn to deal with something those in the early church did not have, social media and the internet which allow the sharing of information instantaneously.  While this has the advantage of sharing biblical truth with large amounts of people, it also allows dissension to spread rapidly.  It is therefore crucial that Churches in the information age include an administrator to monitor Church social media and websites, looking for dissenters and quickly involve Church leadership so they can,

 

1)      Engaging dissenters to resolve the situation amongst themselves.

2)      Engage elders, counselors, or consultants to mediate the situation.

3)      If this does not provide resolution, the Church must rid itself of the dissenters, including banning them from commenting on Church social media. 

 

While it is the will of God that the Church operates free of conflict, the people running the church are human, meaning conflict will occur.  Using the outline taught by Jesus (Matthew 18:15-17) and the example of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:1-35, the Church can bring resolution to any conflict.  However, in the information age with the rapid spread of information, the Church must monitor online activity on Church social media sites and websites to quickly manage dissension.  In a divisive world, the Church must be an example of unity and can accomplish this as it unifies around its mission of spreading the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).  I pray the Church will focus less on non-essential doctrinal differences and more on its mission of pointing people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  May God bless everyone reading this post.