Readings for today: Acts 15-16
Church fights are the worst. We have such a hard time “keeping the main thing, the main thing.” How many different denominations have sprung up over disagreements about Christ’s presence at the Lord’s Table? The mode and timing of baptism? Who’s eligible to serve in ordained office? Differing views over eschatology? The exercise or even existence of ecstatic spiritual gifts? Some estimate there are over 45,000 different Christian denominations globally. Each one claiming a nuanced theological view that sets them apart from their brothers and sisters. It must break the heart of Christ.
Imagine how different things would be if we simply followed the example of the early church. In those days, there could not have been a more explosive theological issue than circumcision. Circumcision had been the mark of God’s covenant people for thousands of years. It was the sign that set them apart. Thousands had died over the centuries rather than renounce circumcision and the faith it signified. The early believers - almost all of whom were Jewish - didn’t have a theological category for “uncircumcised believer.” It would have been an oxymoron to them. But then Paul and Barnabas show up. Two highly respected church leaders and missionaries. They start testifying to the fact that the Holy Spirit was being poured out on the Gentiles and this created all kinds of conflict. Now, in today’s world, we’d just pack up and head to the church down the street. We’d withdraw from fellowship. Our church would vote to secede and go independent, join a different denomination, or perhaps start their own. But that’s not what the early church did. Why?
They kept the main thing, the main thing. They understood the church’s primary mission was the preaching of the gospel. Nothing could be allowed to hijack the Great Commission. Not theological disputes over circumcision or uncircumcision. Not the historic ethnic divisions between Jews and Gentiles. Not persecution from their pagan oppressors or their Jewish countrymen. So when it came to the attention of the leaders of the church that there was a significant conflict brewing, they called for a council in Jerusalem. They listened to passionate arguments from either side. They acknowledged the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They trusted the testimonies of Paul and Barnabas about the miraculous signs and wonders they had seen and performed. They searched the Scriptures for confirmation of God’s plan. And finally, they reinforced the demands of the moral law governing worship, fellowship, human sexuality which has formed the communal ethic of the church since her earliest days. Does this mean all their problems where solved? Clearly not. Paul and Barnabas get into it over the inclusion of John Mark. Paul, knowing he will be preaching to Jews on his next missionary journey, makes the decision to circumcise Timothy before they go so he won’t present a stumbling block to the gospel. Their journey is re-routed by the Holy Spirit from Bithynia to Macedonia. They end up in prison for casting out a demon. It’s a crazy, wild ride! And yet, the church remained united in their focus to evangelize the nations.
Imagine what would happen if we would do the same! Imagine a church that humbled herself under the authority of the Holy Spirit who blows where He wills and always does a new thing. Imagine believers submitting their will and personal experience to Scripture and the wisdom of the gathered Christian community. Imagine a church who kept the main thing, the main thing, and refused to let anything get in the way of the proclamation of the gospel. This is what Jesus wants from His church, friends.
Readings for tomorrow: None