Dissention, Disputation and Contention

Acts 15:2 KJV

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

There is a popular and well-meaning teaching being promoted these days that any sort of "righteous indignation" or anger is wrong. The teaching seems to make sense in that almost any time we grow angry the results are undesirable. Also, since Christians are here to win the lost and minister to hurting people, growing angry at them seems to be counterproductive. The problem is that the teaching is based upon human reasoning and a wrested use of Scripture. It simply is not what the Bible teaches. Here we find Paul embroiled in three sorts of righteous indignation:

• Dissension
• Disputation and
• Contention

Dissension and disputation in Antioch against the Judaizers

The word Dissension means an uprising. There is no way to interpret it as civil. I think the reason the matter was taken to Jerusalem is precisely that it was such a heated event. 

Disputation in Jerusalem

This word is less violent; it means mutual questioning and discussion.  I do notice that Paul did not allow to the dispute to prevent him from declaring the conversion among the Gentiles in all the stops between Antioch and Jerusalem. Rather than waiting to hear the outcome of the hearing in Jerusalem he pushed harder to get the word out what God was doing among the Gentiles. 

Contention with Barnabas

One definition of this word is to incite with anger. These two partners in ministry seem to be forever separated over this difference. Though Paul is later reconciled with John Mark, the source of this contention, we never read of Barnabas again. Some think that because Paul later reconciled with John Mark he was wrong in his contention with Barnabas. I doubt that. The Bible gives no such indication. I believe the contention was well founded and, though John Mark got things right with Paul, Barnabas never did. 

We are to earnestly contend for the faith. We are to stand as good soldiers for the cause of Jesus Christ and, while we ought never stoop to hatred of another soul, we must be incited even to anger for the truth's sake.