25 Discipleship Issues (Acts 15:36-16:5)

* Last week we saw how the church had worked through their first major doctrinal conflict. The church of Antioch had sent Barnabas and Paul to Jerusalem, along with others, to obtain the input of the Apostles and Elders there regarding what requirements should be placed upon Gentiles who were coming to the faith. The decision of the Jerusalem Council was that the Gentiles were not obligated to fulfill the Law as a means of salvation or an additive to salvation; that specifically included circumcision. The Council declared additionally that it would be good for the Gentiles to "Abstain from things offered to idols, from blood and from things strangled .... and from sexual immorality." This decision required submission by those of conflicting opinions. * As Paul began to take greater "ownership" of the ministry Barnabas and Paul returned to Antioch, along with Judas and Silas, and communicated the message to the church and it was received with joy. After some days Paul decided that he and Barnabas ought to return to encourage the churches which they planted on their first trip. This good desire led to additional conflict between Paul and his mentor, Barnabas. * In our passage today we see two separate accounts of discipleship situations which involved potential conflict and how they were handled. * This message was presented on April 2, 2023 by Bob Corbin.