Don't Listen to Imposters

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Watch Out for Deceivers

Acts 15:22-35T  he Message

^22-23 Everyone agreed: apostles, leaders, all the people. They picked Judas (nicknamed Barsabbas) and Silas—they both carried considerable weight in the church—and sent them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas with this letter:

From the apostles and leaders, your friends, to our friends in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Hello!
^24-27 We heard that some men from our church went to you and said things that confused and upset you. Mind you, they had no authority from us; we didn’t send them. We have agreed unanimously to pick representatives and send them to you with our good friends Barnabas and Paul. We picked men we knew you could trust, Judas and Silas—they’ve looked death in the face time and again for the sake of our Master Jesus Christ. We’ve sent them to confirm in a face-to-face meeting with you what we’ve written.
^28-29 It seemed to the Holy Spirit and to us that you should not be saddled with any crushing burden, but be responsible only for these bare necessities: Be careful not to get involved in activities connected with idols; avoid serving food offensive to Jewish Christians (blood, for instance); and guard the morality of sex and marriage.
These guidelines are sufficient to keep relations congenial between us. And God be with you!

^30-33 And so off they went to Antioch. On arrival, they gathered the church and read the letter. The people were greatly relieved and pleased. Judas and Silas, good preachers both of them, strengthened their new friends with many words of courage and hope. Then it was time to go home. They were sent off by their new friends with laughter and embraces all around to report back to those who had sent them.

³⁵ Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word of God. But they weren’t alone. There were a number of teachers and preachers at that time in Antioch.

 

For Reflection 

So, conflict in the church is not new.  More importantly, conflict did not destroy the church.  Conflict strengthened and focused it.  Yesterday's issues have been resolved and the church is better for it. 

Today's issues are in the process of resolution.  The process is painful.  But, God will not let us down.  God will make all things good.  God's will is for us all to struggle with the challenge of change, because it is in the process of change that we grow in grace.  It is in the process of change that we meet contemporary issues head on.  It is in the process of change that God moves us toward the Kingdom.

Conflict in the church means God is alive and active in the world.

Pray

For those who struggle with change.  Pray that conflicts will be resolved in the spirit of love.  Pray for the wisdom to select just and compassionate paths to resolution.