Acts 15:39-41 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus. And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Oh People! Why must there always be contention to split us apart eh? And sadly, the disagreement is usually over small, unimportant things. Today’s Bit exposes disunity in the early days of the church, a disunity that has continued unabated to this day. The first problem was whether the Gentiles (non Jews) could receive the Holy Spirit, which they did after Peter spoke to them at Cornelius’ house. Then it was the matter of circumcision. Must they undergo it to be true believers? This was finally settled at a meeting in Jerusalem between the Apostles and the Elders. The answer was No! Once they followed the ten commandments, they were okay. So they wrote letters outlining this and sent Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Judas Barsabas to the Gentiles at Antioch, Syria and Cilicia, informing them of this doctrinal breakthrough. Now, after a wonderful reception in Antioch and a few days of good ministry, Paul tells Barnabas it’s time to go and visit the other churches at which they had preached, to see how they were doing. Barnabas agrees, but the bone of contention is whom to take with them. Barnabas wants John Mark. Hn! No way! says Paul. Apparently John Mark had left them in the lurch earlier on at Pamphylia. The Bit says, ‘the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other.’ That indicates a big argument. But Friends, was that really necessary? Was it such a weighty matter that it should cause a split between them? I don’t think so. But obviously they did. So Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas to Syria and Cilicia. And it’s been the story of the church ever since. From the problems with the early Popes in the Roman Catholic set, to Henry V111’s breaking away and proclaiming the Anglican set, to the Reformation with Martin Luther and others splitting it even further, to today, where problems of homosexuality, female and married priests tend to splinter it yet again. It’s surprising that all of this contention could spring from the same, single root; from the birth, work, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He must sometimes shakes His head in sad amazement. Friends, I don’t know the answers or solutions to the problems that we feel beset us. I just know that the strife and turmoil, both within the small denominations and the larger Ecclesiastical movement is unhealthy and causing unnecessary harm. How can we expect non-believers to accept our faith in J.C when they see us fighting so foolishly amongst ourselves eh? For all our sakes, and those of future generations too, we’ve got to reduce both the tension and contention. That’s the only way we can ever hope to really accomplish our mission; spreading the sincere LOVE and Word of our Heavenly Father. Much LOVE!…consider this eternal truth…there’s only ONE GOD…!
Oh People! Why must there always be contention to split us apart eh? And sadly, the disagreement is usually over small, unimportant things. Today’s Bit exposes disunity in the early days of the church, a disunity that has continued unabated to this day. The first problem was whether the Gentiles (non Jews) could receive the Holy Spirit, which they did after Peter spoke to them at Cornelius’ house. Then it was the matter of circumcision. Must they undergo it to be true believers? This was finally settled at a meeting in Jerusalem between the Apostles and the Elders. The answer was No! Once they followed the ten commandments, they were okay. So they wrote letters outlining this and sent Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Judas Barsabas to the Gentiles at Antioch, Syria and Cilicia, informing them of this doctrinal breakthrough. Now, after a wonderful reception in Antioch and a few days of good ministry, Paul tells Barnabas it’s time to go and visit the other churches at which they had preached, to see how they were doing. Barnabas agrees, but the bone of contention is whom to take with them. Barnabas wants John Mark. Hn! No way! says Paul. Apparently John Mark had left them in the lurch earlier on at Pamphylia. The Bit says, ‘the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other.’ That indicates a big argument. But Friends, was that really necessary? Was it such a weighty matter that it should cause a split between them? I don’t think so. But obviously they did. So Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus, while Paul took Silas to Syria and Cilicia. And it’s been the story of the church ever since. From the problems with the early Popes in the Roman Catholic set, to Henry V111’s breaking away and proclaiming the Anglican set, to the Reformation with Martin Luther and others splitting it even further, to today, where problems of homosexuality, female and married priests tend to splinter it yet again. It’s surprising that all of this contention could spring from the same, single root; from the birth, work, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He must sometimes shakes His head in sad amazement. Friends, I don’t know the answers or solutions to the problems that we feel beset us. I just know that the strife and turmoil, both within the small denominations and the larger Ecclesiastical movement is unhealthy and causing unnecessary harm. How can we expect non-believers to accept our faith in J.C when they see us fighting so foolishly amongst ourselves eh? For all our sakes, and those of future generations too, we’ve got to reduce both the tension and contention. That’s the only way we can ever hope to really accomplish our mission; spreading the sincere LOVE and Word of our Heavenly Father. Much LOVE!…consider this eternal truth…there’s only ONE GOD…!
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