Hebraic Musing – What to do if you have a dispute?
or, more important - How to discuss differences and avoid church
splits?
Did you know that
if you have two Rabbis, you will have three opinions?
Here is a quote
that came out of a teaching from Acts 14 - “Christian disputes should lead to
discussion, but discussion avails nothing if hearts are not first humbled
before God."
Who of us has not
heard of an ugly church split, or experienced one ourselves? Or have you encountered someone disagreeing
with their Pastor, Priest or Rabbi and storming out the door…?
Did they handle
it in a biblical way? Sometimes they
even claim they did according to Jesus’ words in Matthew 18:15-17 “Moreover if
your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him
alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or
two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’” NKJV They
may even say they went to the person, then brought a friend, then took it
before the church, etc. That's all good, BUT... their hearts must truly
be humble for that to work!
Paul and Barnabas
had a challenging time in Lystra, Iconium, Derbe and Antioch, but succeeded in
preaching the gospel according to Acts 14.
Then in Acts 15:1 a significant conflict began. “And certain men came down from Judea and
taught the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of
Moses, you cannot be saved.’” NKJV The
Jerusalem church seemed to be focused on the issue of circumcision, so Paul and
Barnabas went back and "discussed" it with them (this being the first
Jerusalem Council). The Jerusalem
council, led by Yaakov (a.k.a. James), Yeshua’s half-brother, consisted of
Jews/Israelites who were rather passionate about their points of view, customs,
backgrounds, and experience. But
eventually they were persuaded by the Ruach HaChodesh, a.k.a. Holy Spirit, to
agree that the Gentiles could indeed be saved, AND that the Gentile converts do
not need to follow some of the symbolic portions of the Mosaic law representing
crucifixion of the flesh.
Today’s churches and individuals squabble and
split over silly things... yet the original church had a pretty big issue based
on a 1,900-year-old Jewish ritual requiring circumcision (Gen.17:10) and yet
they were able to come to an agreement. (Read about the first Jerusalem
Council in Acts 15.)
How & why did they come to agreement?
Their hearts were humbled.
Points to Ponder
Why
should I need a humbled heart if I know I am right?
Whatever
happened to the loving art of listening?
BTW
- You really don’t know if you are submitted to your Rabbi or Pastor until he
says ‘No’.
Are
we comfortable accepting practices of Christians from other denomination?
♫
Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord...and He will... ♫
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd
September
5, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages
exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”
Weekly “Hebraic Musings”
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