Something to pray about?
It may appear at first glance that what we see in Acts 15:36-41 is a simple difference of opinion between two of God's servants and little more. In like manner we might note in Luke 10:38-42 a different exercise of two saints and a conflict. A closer look at the scenes and the Epistles to follow seem to show a problem often seen today in the church. It concerns occupation with a work or our thoughts to the neglect of the heart and mind of God. Such a thing causes separations of saints and divisions in the universal church.
God does not speak against one in preference to another in such as this, but shows that one ought to do the work in communion with the purposes of God. There is no need to quarrel. We might look at these early saints with a larger view of things, having "all the counsel of God" in our hands, and noting they needed to learn what we should easily see from their difficulty. All the members of the body are one and each part is needed (Rom.12; 1 Cor.12). All these participants we read of were in God's service.
Paul and Barnabas might have avoided conflict if they had appreciated gift, and not pressed their understandings. We can learn from them. Paul had a ministry beyond the Gospel, which became apparent in the Epistles with Church Truth and the collective testimony, whereas it seems Barnabas was primarily an evangelist. Surely all is needed. The book of Acts is about the transition from the Old Testament religion of Israel to the Church, and in Acts 15 we see the initial work was moving toward the thought of the various gatherings in various places. It appears that beside the gospel message, God was moving to establish the new saints in the faith from the original calling to Christ --i.e. speaking of maturity beyond the Gospel to spiritual life and faithful church testimony.
These two servants loved the Lord and sought the best for God's children, but had a limited perspective of God's overall work and ways, it appears. The judgment about Mark was not so much against him as it was over his suitability for this proposed missionary outreach, and Paul seems to have wanted one to help who was more committed and suited to this work. The contention that followed should have been avoided. Later, we see Paul continuing in the work with Mark, but no more is heard of Barnabas.
Martha was doing a good and necessary work, as we read in Luke 10, but the Lord would rather have her do the good work in communion with Him, and not be troubled about Mary whose devotion seemed to be more intimate in worship and praise. One should wait on the Lord for strength and help and not challenge our brethren.
There are gifts given and one ought to appreciate their own gift and not be critical of another. We need to look to our own exercise and be thankful for it and every work. Papers are available to speak further on spiritual gifts in the CCC--Christian Counsel Collection at the Bible Counsel web site. - RLD
APPRECIATING GIFTS MANIFESTED
Commentary By Robert DeWitt, 3/10
Acts 15:36-41 and Luke 10:38-42
[If Christians can recognize individual spiritual gifts we can appreciate more the working of God, not be quick to judge one's motives, and allow one to follow an exercise to serve. This is providing that one is in accord with Scripture and not acting contrary to Church Truth or the good of God's saints.]Commentary By Robert DeWitt, 3/10
Acts 15:36-41 and Luke 10:38-42
It may appear at first glance that what we see in Acts 15:36-41 is a simple difference of opinion between two of God's servants and little more. In like manner we might note in Luke 10:38-42 a different exercise of two saints and a conflict. A closer look at the scenes and the Epistles to follow seem to show a problem often seen today in the church. It concerns occupation with a work or our thoughts to the neglect of the heart and mind of God. Such a thing causes separations of saints and divisions in the universal church.
God does not speak against one in preference to another in such as this, but shows that one ought to do the work in communion with the purposes of God. There is no need to quarrel. We might look at these early saints with a larger view of things, having "all the counsel of God" in our hands, and noting they needed to learn what we should easily see from their difficulty. All the members of the body are one and each part is needed (Rom.12; 1 Cor.12). All these participants we read of were in God's service.
Paul and Barnabas might have avoided conflict if they had appreciated gift, and not pressed their understandings. We can learn from them. Paul had a ministry beyond the Gospel, which became apparent in the Epistles with Church Truth and the collective testimony, whereas it seems Barnabas was primarily an evangelist. Surely all is needed. The book of Acts is about the transition from the Old Testament religion of Israel to the Church, and in Acts 15 we see the initial work was moving toward the thought of the various gatherings in various places. It appears that beside the gospel message, God was moving to establish the new saints in the faith from the original calling to Christ --i.e. speaking of maturity beyond the Gospel to spiritual life and faithful church testimony.
These two servants loved the Lord and sought the best for God's children, but had a limited perspective of God's overall work and ways, it appears. The judgment about Mark was not so much against him as it was over his suitability for this proposed missionary outreach, and Paul seems to have wanted one to help who was more committed and suited to this work. The contention that followed should have been avoided. Later, we see Paul continuing in the work with Mark, but no more is heard of Barnabas.
Martha was doing a good and necessary work, as we read in Luke 10, but the Lord would rather have her do the good work in communion with Him, and not be troubled about Mary whose devotion seemed to be more intimate in worship and praise. One should wait on the Lord for strength and help and not challenge our brethren.
There are gifts given and one ought to appreciate their own gift and not be critical of another. We need to look to our own exercise and be thankful for it and every work. Papers are available to speak further on spiritual gifts in the CCC--Christian Counsel Collection at the Bible Counsel web site. - RLD
