Acts 15:2 (KJV) Worth Contending

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.

Paul and Barnabas would later have dissension of their own, but they are in agreement here, those who add Jewish law to Christian faith are to be disputed against. Notice it was no small dissension. This thing is worth contending with vigor and passion. 

I note that they did not fix this contention with gossip and continued debate. They took it to the authority of their day. They brought it to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. 

I note too that, though Peter was there, and spoke to the issue, it was James, the pastor of the church, who made the decision. Good leadership listens to those with influence but the decisions, especially doctrinal ones, belong to the preachers of each church. 

Once the decision was made, Word was sent concerning that decision. But those who opposed the choice still opposed it. Only now they did it from outside. At this point, Paul was willing to call them ministers of Satan. They were no longer part of the Christian community. They were heretics and marked as such. 

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Acts 15:2 (KJV) Worth Contending

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