The Central Moment

It’s always painful to watch Spirit-filled people experience disagreements so sharp that they eventually need to part ways. But Paul and Barnabas could not agree over ministry values and, indeed, went their own ways -- only to see the Lord use it for his purpose.

Discerning God’s will is often a blending of the spiritual instincts that have been formed within us as we walk with the Lord with a sense of the leading of the Holy Spirit. May we all grow in our sensitivity to the Lord’s leading!

In discerning truth, our experience must always line up with God’s Word. That is what the early church did in resolving a potentially explosive issue. They took what God seemed to be doing and lined it up with the Scriptures before they came to a final conclusion.

Church councils throughout Christian history have helped to clarify foundational Biblical doctrines on issues such as the nature of Christ and the Trinity. But this very first church council in Acts 15 had the important task of clarifying the gospel itself.

Have you ever experienced conflict and disagreement with other believers? Have you been a part of a church that has been deeply divided and in danger of a split? Welcome to Acts 15!

The relationship between Paul and the original twelve apostles was a fascinating and sometimes complicated one. Here, however, Peter honors Paul while making us smile as the early church finds its footing and the New Testament Scriptures are being penned.

There is an experiential dimension to walking with Jesus, and there is an ethical one. Peter was used by God in many experientially supernatural ways to minister to people, but he was also concerned ethically about how people lived their ordinary lives.

Even the best of us can still miss it -- like Peter. But Paul stands up to him, intimidated by nothing. Let’s keep calling each other on to true holiness and not hypocrisy.

It’s amazing how we can pray with faith and yet not expect anything to change. This humorous moment in the life of the early church is a case in point. May God surprise us again!

It’s amazing what God can do through flawed people, for the sake of His glory. Peter’s failures, thankfully, were not the final word on his life. Jesus is the restorer; Jesus is the miracle worker; Jesus is the difference-maker!