The early church wasn’t without its conflicts. As the gospel spread and the church grew, believers from different backgrounds, cultures, and traditions began to follow Jesus. This diversity was a beautiful reflection of God’s heart for all people, but it also created tension and disagreement. The early church had to figure out how to maintain unity amidst these differences, while staying focused on the mission of spreading the gospel.
Today, we’ll look at how the early church handled disagreements, particularly over the inclusion of Gentiles, and explore how we can apply the same principles of unity and grace in our own communities.
The First Major Conflict: The Gentile Question
One of the earliest and most significant conflicts in the church came when Gentiles began to believe in Jesus. Up until that point, Christianity had been mostly a Jewish movement, and many Jewish believers assumed that Gentile converts would need to follow the same laws and traditions they had grown up with—especially circumcision.
In Acts 15, we see this issue come to a head. Some believers from Judea came to the church in Antioch and began teaching, “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). This teaching caused a sharp dispute between them and Paul and Barnabas, who had been preaching that salvation came through faith in Jesus alone, not through adherence to the law.
This issue was about more than just circumcision. It was about how someone becomes part of God’s family. Were Gentiles required to adopt Jewish customs in order to be saved, or was faith in Christ enough? The stakes were high—this was a question that had the potential to divide the church.
The Jerusalem Council: Seeking Unity
To resolve the issue, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders. This meeting, known as the Jerusalem Council, is recorded in Acts 15. The council gathered to discuss whether Gentile believers needed to follow the Jewish law to be part of the church.
After much debate, Peter stood up and reminded them of his experience with Cornelius, the Gentile centurion. He said, “God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith” (Acts 15:8-9). Peter argued that salvation was by grace through faith, not by following the law.
James, the leader of the Jerusalem church, then spoke and proposed a solution. He affirmed that Gentile believers did not need to follow the law of Moses to be saved, but he suggested that they abstain from certain practices that would be particularly offensive to their Jewish brothers and sisters (Acts 15:19-21). This compromise allowed the church to maintain unity without compromising the core message of the gospel.
The council’s decision was a pivotal moment for the early church. By affirming that salvation was by grace through faith, they opened the door for the gospel to continue spreading across cultural and ethnic lines. But they also demonstrated the importance of sensitivity to the needs and concerns of others, showing that unity often requires compromise and mutual respect.
Handling Disagreements with Grace
The Jerusalem Council provides a powerful example of how to handle disagreements in a way that promotes unity. Here are a few key lessons we can learn:
1. Engage in Open Dialogue
The apostles didn’t avoid the conflict or sweep it under the rug. They met together and had an honest discussion. They listened to different perspectives and took the time to consider what God was doing among the Gentiles. In our own communities, it’s important to address disagreements directly, with a willingness to listen and understand others.
2. Focus on What Matters Most
Peter’s speech reminded the council that the core issue was salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, not adherence to the law. In the midst of disagreements, it’s crucial to keep the main thing the main thing—our shared faith in Christ and the mission of the church. Paul later wrote, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Unity doesn’t mean we agree on everything, but it does mean we prioritize the things that matter most.
3. Be Willing to Compromise on Non-Essentials
James’ proposal to ask Gentile believers to abstain from certain practices was a way to maintain peace without compromising the gospel. In our own lives, we need to be willing to compromise on non-essential issues for the sake of unity. This doesn’t mean compromising truth, but it does mean being sensitive to the needs and concerns of others.
4. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s Guidance
The council’s decision wasn’t just based on human reasoning—it was guided by the Holy Spirit. Peter pointed out that the Holy Spirit had already affirmed the inclusion of Gentiles by pouring out His Spirit on them. As we navigate disagreements, we should seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, trusting that He will lead us into truth and unity.
Unity in Diversity
The early church’s decision to welcome Gentiles without requiring them to follow the law set a precedent for the rest of church history. It showed that the gospel transcends cultural and ethnic boundaries, and that the church is meant to be a diverse community united by faith in Christ.
In Galatians 3:28, Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This doesn’t mean that our differences disappear, but it does mean that they no longer define our identity. Our primary identity is found in Christ, and that’s what unites us.
Applying This to Our Lives
We may not be dealing with the exact same issues as the early church, but the principles of unity and handling disagreements with grace are just as relevant today. In our churches, workplaces, and even families, we’ll encounter people who think and act differently than we do. The question is, how will we respond?
• Are we willing to engage in open, honest conversations with those we disagree with?
• Are we keeping the gospel at the center, or are we letting secondary issues divide us?
• Are we willing to compromise on non-essential issues for the sake of unity?
The early church wasn’t perfect, but they were committed to staying unified in their mission to spread the gospel. We’re called to the same mission today, and maintaining unity is essential to fulfilling it.
Reflection:
• How do you handle disagreements in your own life? Are there areas where you need to be more open to dialogue or compromise?
• Are there secondary issues that have caused division in your relationships or community? How can you refocus on what matters most?
Scriptures for Further Reading:
• Acts 15:1-35 – The Jerusalem Council and the resolution of the Gentile inclusion issue.
• Ephesians 4:1-6 – Paul’s call to maintain unity in the Spirit.
• Galatians 3:26-29 – The unity of all believers in Christ, regardless of background.
Unity doesn’t mean uniformity, and the early church teaches us that diversity within the body of Christ is something to be celebrated, not feared. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can navigate differences in a way that strengthens our witness and builds up the church. Let’s pursue that kind of unity as we continue the mission of sharing the gospel with the world.
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