navigating controversy

Good afternoon brothers and sisters,
As we think this week about honesty and communication, this passage and those that follow in Acts are helpful. When the church isn't sure what to do about something we're called to pray and discuss with each other the best way to proceed. We find wisdom together as we seek God's guidance. In the case of our story, there was controversy in the church about whether Gentiles needed to become Jewish to be part of the church. As we seek to be faithful to God we are always discerning how to balance God's call to obedience with God's call to everyone.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 15:1-5

Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2And 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 discuss this question with the apostles and the elders.


3So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers. 4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”