Verse 23: They wrote this letter by them.
This letter, much akin to a sworn affidavit today, gives the express decision of the Jerusalem council that Gentiles (non-Jews) should consider themselves under no obligation to the religious rituals of Judaism.
Verse 25: For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us (some versions leave out the express mention of the Holy Spirit, but His place here is fully intended). Clearly, it was the Holy Spirit who gave the direction.
Significantly, the Holy Spirit made the decision through James' decisive, inspired leadership (who said back in verse 19, "Therefore I judge").
The summary here through Acts 15:29 is that God settled the conflict of circumcision (legalism) for all time: We are saved by grace, through a genuine, life-saving/life-changing faith in Jesus Christ and not by any outward works or conformity to the law.
Acts 15:30-31
:
So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
Why was there rejoicing? For the guys, a huge part of that had to be the relief of not having to undergo incredibly painful (no anesthetic, clean instruments or pain killers) circumcision. Beyond that, their was great joy in knowing that they too were loved by God and could be both forgiven and saved in Him (and therefore equal to the Jewish Christians -- a cultural impossiblilty before Christ came)!
Acts 15:32-35:
Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
C
onflict resolved through an act of obedience to the Holy Spirit, the believers exhorted and encouraged (strengthened) one another -- a pattern we need to follow today. Moreover, note that when Luke said "it seemed good to Silas to remain there," he means that Silas was also following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Conflict Over John Mark
Acts 15:36:
Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing."
Pausing here for a moment, we see that Paul has a true pastor's (shepherd's) heart: it was not enough just to win the lost to a saving faith, but that he also sought to disciple (grow) them in their newfound faith. And what is a "pastor?" One who leads, serves, feeds and protects the sheep (not unlike we do as God's sheepdogs in law enforcement...serving the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ). On this, Pastor David Guzik wrote, "
Paul had the heart of both an obstetrician (bringing people into the body of Christ) and a pediatrician (growing people up in the body of Christ)." Truth that!
Notice also that Paul was eagerly willing to return to the same place where the locals tried to murder him on his first missionary journey (Holy Spirit-powered courage under fire). In addition, understand that he was not about titles (they didn't call him "Pastor Paul" and definitely not "Saint" Paul). Let's just be the
SERVANT-leaders and under-shepherds God has called us to be!
Acts 15:37-41:
Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
So who was John Mark? This is the guy who previously abandoned (the Greek word used here is akin to going AWOL) the mission team in Acts 13:13 under what must be considered "less than honorable" conditions.
Two things for us to consider here:
Barnabas "the encourager" was DETERMINED while Paul INSISTED. Note that Dr. Luke, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, does not directly tell us who was right but rather that the conflict was great (sharp). Folks, understand that it is never God's will for conflict of this type to develop and go unresolved, and there is no indication that Paul and Barnabas stopped to pray together and seek the Holy Spirit's decision as we saw in the first part of this section of Scripture.
With that, let's take on a police detective's role and dig a little deeper. Colossians 4:10 reveals that Barnabas was John Mark's cousin, and because Barnabas had such an encouraging, accepting nature (as he did when everyone else wanted to get rid of Paul -- Acts 4:36;
Acts 9:26-27), it is easy to see why he would be more open to giving John Mark a second chance (as ours is indeed the "God of the second chance").
As we see, God used this conflict for His purpose and glory: by going out in two parties instead of one, much greater ground was covered in the preaching of the Gospel. And of course God regularly redeems good out of evil (Genesis 50:20). Still, the conflict described here was sinful (carnal) in nature even if we sum it up as simply two different styles of ministry. How do we know? God commands us to resolve conflict among ourselves (Matthew 5:23-24).
So did this conflict get resolved? While there is no mention of Barnabas and Paul resolving their conflict, Paul would many years later call for John Mark to come minister to him when he (Paul) was in prison (2 Timothy 4:11) and of course John Mark would go on to author the Gospel of Mark!
Perhaps this resolved conflict was on Paul's heart when he later wrote,
A
nd we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (
Romans 8:28
).
Conflict is inevitable and no relationship is immune. When managed biblically, conflict can serve as a catalyst for change and an opportunity for spiritual and relational growth. Why then are we afraid to tell a friend that their words hurt us, to lovingly and biblically confront a pastor who has gone astray, or to confront a family member about his drinking problem and its effect on his family? Author Ken Sande wrote,
"Many believers and their churches have not yet developed the ability to respond to conflict in a gospel-centered and biblically faithful manner. When Christians become peacemakers, they can turn conflict into an opportunity to strengthen relationships and make their lives a testimony to the love and power of Jesus Christ."
Sande went on to describe what a biblical "peacemaker" looks like:
"Peacemakers are people who breathe grace. They draw continually on the goodness and power of Jesus Christ, and then they bring his love, mercy, forgiveness, strength, and wisdom to the conflicts of daily life."
Do you naturally "breathe grace?" I sure don't (I too am a work-in-progess). Yet, it is what God commands us to do. Not all of us are called to be a teaching pastor or serve in law enforcement, but all of us are called to "
go and be reconciled
" (
Matthew 5:24
NIV) to our brothers and sisters, our friends and family, and the people in our churches and community. As Sande rightly states, "God calls us all to be biblical peacemakers, to allow his redemptive, transforming love to spill over into our relationships."
Finally, consider for a moment the kind of impact we as peace officers can have on the communities we serve and protect if we would apply biblical conflict resolution principles on "the street." No, I'm not talking about quoting Scripture on the job but rather living out and applying those principles in practice. As the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom and watch what He can accomplish through you!
Folks, God created us for relationship -- both with one another (including our spouses, family members, friends and colleagues) and with Him. Do you have the latter? Do have a genuine, life-saving/life-changing personal relationship (not "religion") with God in Christ -- the ONLY one who can "
resolve" the "
conflict" of sin? Do you have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit that is available ONLY to those who are
born again in Christ? The "
Good News" is that you can! Consider the following:
