Musing – If You have a Dispute…

 Hebraic Musing – If You have a Dispute…

Or, 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 & 15  “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. They may even say they went to the person, then brought a friend, then took to before the church, etc.  That's all good, BUT... their hearts must truly be humble for that to work! 

The passage in Acts 14* refers to Pauls' first work in Antioch. 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 point of view, customs, background 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 needn't follow some of the symbolic portions of the Mosaic law representing crucifixion of the flesh. 

Today 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 ritual (Gen.17:10**) and yet they were able to come to an agreement.  Why?  Their hearts were humbled.

BTW – You really don’t know if you are submitted to your Rabbi or Pastor until he says ‘No’.

Point to ponder

Why should I need a humbled heart if I know I am right?

How well is America handling all the different opinions?
(Or, how am I handling differing opinions?)

♫  Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord
            And He shall lift you up (higher and higher)   And He shall lift you up    ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd            June 28, 2022   (Originally published Nov.28,2011)

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com

*   The Conflict over Circumcision arose in Acts 15:1 “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

**   Genesis 17:10-11 “This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you.”