It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit

Believers do not always agree. The church in Jerusalem faced a big disagreement about how a person is saved. The way they handled it shows us what to do when we disagree.

A real argument. Paul and Barnabas “had no small dissension and dispute” with the men from Judea (Acts 15:2). They did not pretend everything was fine. The question was too important to ignore.

Into the open. The church did not split into two groups. The believers sent Paul, Barnabas and others “to the apostles and elders, about this question” (15:2). They took the problem to the leaders God had given the church.

Come together. “Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter” (15:6). To consider means to think carefully. They did not decide in a hurry.

Let people speak. There had been “much dispute” before Peter stood up (15:7). People who disagreed were allowed to say what they thought.

Listen. “Then all the multitude kept silent and listened” (15:12). Listening is hard when you feel strongly about something. But you cannot understand people if you will not listen to them.

Calm and wise. The Bible says, “He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit” (Proverbs 17:27). Spares his words means he does not say more than he needs to.

Quiet can be wise. “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace” (Proverbs 17:28). Holding your peace means staying quiet and not rushing to answer.

What has God done? Barnabas and Paul told about “miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles” (15:12). They looked at God’s work, not only at their own ideas.

Think before you speak. A calm person thinks before answering. Quick, angry words make a disagreement worse, but calm words help everyone hear the truth.

What has God said? James said, “with this the words of the prophets agree” (15:15). God’s Word had the last say. Feelings can be wrong, but God’s Word is always true.

Worth a careful talk. The question was about the gospel. We have all sinned, and Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). We are saved by trusting Him, so nothing must be added to what He did.

Strong but kind. You can disagree strongly with someone and still treat them with respect. Believers who disagree are still brothers and sisters in Christ.

What to do. Next time you disagree with a friend or someone in your family, take your time. Listen first, stay calm, and ask what God’s Word says. Pray together, and ask the Lord to lead you.

After all the talking and listening, something wonderful happened. The church came to one mind.

Everyone agreed. “Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch” (Acts 15:22). The leaders and all the believers agreed together.

One accord. The letter said, “it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord” (15:25). One accord means being joined together in heart and purpose, like many voices singing the same song.

Not all the same. One accord does not mean everyone is alike. Jewish believers and Gentile believers stayed different in many ways. But they agreed about Jesus.

The Holy Spirit led. “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us” (15:28). The Holy Spirit is God. He guided the church as they listened, heard what God had done and looked at Scripture.

The Spirit first. The letter named the Holy Spirit before it named the leaders. Their agreement came from following Him.

A prayer for unity. Paul later prayed, “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5). Like-minded means thinking the same way about what matters most.

Why unity? “That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6). When believers agree, God gets the glory.

The same love. Paul also wrote, “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).

Chosen helpers. The church chose Judas and Silas to go with the letter and “report the same things by word of mouth” (15:27). They cared enough to explain in person, not just to send words on a page.

Kind words. The letter called Barnabas and Paul “our beloved” (Acts 15:25). The leaders spoke about their brothers with love and honor.

What makes us one. Every believer was once a sinner who needed saving. Jesus died on the cross for all of us, and God raised Him from the dead. We are joined together by trusting the same Savior.

What to do. Ask God to help you be patient with others. Speak kindly about other believers, and look for ways to stand together with them.