Acts 15:36-41 GOD ALLOWS DIFFICULTIES After Paul and Barnabas returned from Jerusalem with Judas and Silas, who were gifted prophets, there apparently came others from Jerusalem also. Peter must have been in full fellowship with the saints when he came first to Antioch. But when some Judaizers came who kept themselves separated from the Gentiles even when eating, Peter sided with them. They apparently thought the restrictions in the letter written to Antioch from the elders of the Jerusalem still supported their legalistic view of Judaism. The items that were listed in the letter came to humanity before the law of Moses was written. It is possible to take portions of scripture and base opinions on them outside of the context in which they were written. For whatever reason, these people separated themselves from the Gentiles and surprisingly, Peter did also. If he was trying to appease their discontent, or was trying to avoid some confrontation is not really too clear. Paul saw what was happening because he could see the actions of Peter were contradictory to the letter from Jerusalem and potentially would make it of no value. Paul also had apostolic authority and realized he had to act right away, and publicly, to keep the work from dividing. By exposing the fault of Peter before them all, he added further clarification and impact tot he Gospel message by stating, "By the works of the laws shall no flesh be justified."
Some things are of fundamental importance cannot be overlooked at all. How instructive and gracious it is that these two brethren did not resent each other because of this incident. Occasionally God allows difficulties or differences of opinions to be aired so that what is His will is more easily understood. Each assembly is an autonomous group of God's people who are directly responsible to God. Jerusalem wasn't a governing headquarters that called the Antioch assembly to come for instruction from them. The brethren in Antioch were the ones who took the initiative in the matter and sent Paul, Barnabas and other brethren to Jerusalem to deal with those who came from Jerusalem and were disrupting the saints at Antioch. Matters of serious importance are often best dealt with face to face, lest there be some who perceive things different then others. A written summation to a problem is always valuable so there can be no question as to what the consensus of opinion was, and what decision was made.
The independence of each assembly can stop the growth of error that has permeated so many denominations today. Some organizations make a "majority rule" decision and thus an issue, good or bad, or even a man-made doctrine, spreads from one place to another. In that way error is used by the enemy to undermine the work of God.
Because Paul and Barnabas stayed at Antioch for quite some time, it should never be supposed they were idle servants waiting for something to do. They, and others, continued to teach the Lord's people and to "preach the word of the Lord," that would bring encouragement to the believers and understanding of the Gospel to those of that area. It is not inconsequential when the Spirit of God leaves a person in one place for quite awhile. It may be that by this means the Lord's people will be prepared for some eventualities that are unknown to us, and in the future of the work. Even the facts of modernism, the "emerging church," post- modernism are part of the multitude of issues assemblies are faced with today. Governments are becoming more aggressive in trying to bring about a union of small independent churches under one union in order to monitor and ultimately control what can or cannot be said by that group.
Some will bring this about by offering government finances to update assembly buildings and giving special consideration to children's work or some other activity of the local assembly that is for the benefit of the general population of a community. Other city or government groups will place restrictions of one kind or another to pressure the saints of God in the fellowship of that assembly to not do what should be done. This usually finds expression in recent times by restricting distribution of literature, open air meetings or using one's own home for home Bible studies or cottage Gospel meetings.
Whenever there have been pressures to bring about a union of churches, whether they are alike or different, there has been a decline in the spiritual tone of that work. It becomes more popular because compromises are made to accommodate to the wishes of different groups of people. The brethren in Antioch wisely took responsibility for what was going on in their midst. They understood the value of wise counsel from mature teachers. When the written decision was received, they were glad for the clarity brought to the matter. When the decision was tested by one of the most influential preachers, the apostle Peter - and others, action was taken by Paul as a responsible teacher at Antioch, to stop that wrong action right there before it could go any farther.
We may not realize the value of local autonomy as far as the house of God is concerned, until it is tested. Then we can see how important that is as a safeguard from wholesale acceptance of a practice or teaching that is wrong. Wise leaders need to be on their guard at all times lest some unscriptural practices take hold in the assembly and many be defiled. The Sovereign God allowed this and we can learn from it.
Further, but along the same line of instruction from the Spirit of God, comes the difficulty and contention that arose between the two leaders who had shared much in common in their past labors for the Lord. In one way we are saddened by two men who divided over a seemingly unimportant matter as a homesick, scared young brother in Christ. On the other hand, even though both brethren were at fault if any blame is to be placed, the outcome of the matter is that by dividing up into areas of work, more was able to be accomplished. Barnabas went to Cyprus with Mark. Barnabas has personal, as well as a spiritual interest, in Cyprus. Paul went back the more recently established assemblies and took Silas, who was also a prophet, to confirm the word that has been preached there on the previous journey. Paul had a real concern for the testimonies of the assemblies in major centers, that they would be willing to reach out to others. In order to do that, they had to be well taught themselves. The passionate contention between two men was used by God to multiply the benefit to others. Men are men at the best and they are not always what they should be. But God can take what seems to us to be a failure and bring blessing from it. Perhaps both Paul and Barnabas were partly wrong and partly right. Are we obligated to give every person a second opportunity? Is failure to be as committed as we would like a person to be, a reason to disqualify a person from the work of the Lord? The result was that Mark was given a place of importance by Barnabas that he never previously had. At a later time not only was Mark recognized by Paul as a man of value, but he wanted him to join in the work. The Holy Spirit used Mark to write a very effective Gospel that has been a great blessing to many people right to this day. We may never be able to properly value the negative experiences we pass through, but this we know - God allows them. When God allows something to happen that to our thinking shouldn't have happened, our best response is to say, "The will of the Lord be done," and pray for God's blessing on all who are involved. Who really knows this side of heaven what God can accomplish for His glory through those who are available but different?
It is not easy at all to withstand determined men It is not easy to go out, when everyone else is going in It is not easy for one person to bring conflict to an end- But it can be done by the power of God.
It is not easy when others say "Yes," for you to say "No" It is not easy when pressured to conform for truth to show It is not easy when others do, for you not to go - But it can be done by the grace of God.
It is not easy when before you are two ways to take It is not easy in that situation the right decision to make It is not easy when you know the right one, a friendship will break - But it can be done by putting faith in God.
It is not easy to leave a person you have worked with for years It is not easy to remain true when a divisive spirit appears It is not easy to move on in spite of sorrow and tears - But it can be done by the tender mercies of God.
It is not easy to see those you care for drifting away It is not easy when they pay no heed to what you say It is not easy to watch when they are going astray - But it can be done by trusting the hand of God.
It is not easy to trust when God allows bad things to be done It is not easy when it seems this battle the enemy has won It is not easy in the darkness to wait for the light of the Son - But it can be done when we wait for the faithfulness of God.
"Father of all comfort, God of all grace: there are things happening in Thy work, among Thy children and even in my own family that has the tendency to cause me great distress. But I do trust Thee, Father, and by Thy grace commit every one of these issues going on, to Thee. I thank Thee for whatever will bring honor and glory to Thee in the end. Amen."