Discover His heart: He guides our decisions through His Word and godly leadership
I really look forward to the biennial meeting of the ministers in my fellowship from churches all across the United States. It’s a great time to visit with old friends and make new friends from all over the country. We eat together, shop together and talk for hours about our lives, the ministry, and the future. The evening services are inspirational, encouraging and they challenge us to reach more souls with the gospel. What I must admit is that I don’t enjoy the business sessions, a primary purpose of the General Council meeting.
In these business meetings as well as those on a state level, I’ve observed a few men and women through the years act in a way that should have been an embarrassment to them. Fortunately, I’ve seen godly leadership respond with grace and wisdom in these situations, and decisions were made in a calm and friendly atmosphere…for the most part. That being said, I still rather spend my time visiting with a friend over a cup of coffee or walking around the huge exhibition hall receiving free pens, mints, and other good stuff, but I guess somebody has to do the business.
@ Acts 15
Well, a little altercation had developed in the early church, and it was causing some dissension within the body of believers. Some were insisting that Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised like the Jewish Christians. They were calling for strict adherence to the Old Testament laws. Paul and Barnabas, who were out on the front lines, strongly disagreed with this requirement. “So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. At the meeting, after a long discussion…” (6) Yes, welcome to the first General Council!
The main contributors to this discussion were James and Peter, elders of the church in Jerusalem, and Paul and Barnabas, missionary evangelists. Paul and Barnabas, who were in the trenches ministering to the Greeks and others, had come to accept the Gentiles as is.
Peter’s very liberating experience with Cornelius earlier in Acts 10 had softened his heart to the acceptance of Gentiles, “God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear?” (8-11) According to Peter, circumcision was not going to change God’s love and acceptance of the Gentiles. Let’s hear it for sound reason in a business meeting!
James, who had been a strict Palestinian Jew and who was apparently the leader of this Council, could have been the sticking point in this discussion, but instead, he only proved his godly spirit-led character. “When they had finished, James stood and said, ‘Brothers, listen to me. Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself…And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.’” (13-14,19) All were in agreement, and the matter was settled. Letters confirming the agreement were delivered throughout the church world. “And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.” (31)
This agreement not only affected the church world at that time but also right up to today. Godly men discussed and reasoned together according to scripture. (16-18) From what we read, it appears there were no politicians or agenda-driven dialogues to cloud the issue or bring division. I think I could have handled this business meeting and would have been blessed for having been there. However, at this juncture in church history, I wonder if women were welcomed in the dialogue. Just as the decision that day, change and acceptance can be good.
Moving Forward: I’m thankful for our early church leaders and for leaders today who listen to all sides and make godly decisions to bless the church.
Tomorrow @ 2 Peter
Phyllis Benigas 