17th Jun 26 | 05:17
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The whole church was pleased
📖 Acts 15:22
Acts 15 - Series 2/Episode 02 - Wed, 08th Apr 2026 - The whole church was pleased - Acts 15:22-35 - THE ANNOUNCEMENT - Acts 06:02-05
Acts 15:22 Then *it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church*, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
The decision of the Jerusalem Council was pleasing to the whole church. When we walk with the Lord, in His wisdom and in the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will experience the joy and oneness of the Lord.
We see a similar experience of the whole church being pleased while choosing the seven deacons for the early church. Acts 6:2-5 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. (3) Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; (4) but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." (5) And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
The decision of the twelve apostles was pleasing to the entire church. The entire church here represented both the Hellenists and the Hebraic Jews. These were the two groups between whom there was friction.
We will have conflicts and disagreements in the body of Christ. We must be led by the Holy Spirit to bring about healing in the church. When we are all led by the Holy Spirit, and we reach a conclusion, the decision will be pleasing to all the groups involved in the issue.
Paul and Barnabas disagreed on the matter of John Mark. Acts 15:36-41 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing." (37) Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. (38) But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. (39) Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; (40) but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. (41) And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Paul and Barnabas parted ways, but the ministry of God continued through both of them.
Paul was reconciled later with John Mark. II Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. / Colossians 4:10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), / _Philemon 1:24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers._
While the New Testament does not record a formal "reconciliation scene" between Paul and Barnabas, the evidence strongly suggests restored fellowship. I Corinthians 9:6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? Paul refers to Barnabas respectfully as a fellow apostle. This is written years after their disagreement. This implies that their relationship was healed and mutually respectful. This is the work of the Holy Spirit.
We must remember that when God created us, we were created in the oneness of the Triune God. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Oneness in the body of Christ was inbuilt into us at creation, but this was marred because of sin.
In Christ, through His Holy Spirit, we are restored to oneness. Galatians 3:26-28 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus._
Therefore, when disagreements arise in the church, let us not be anxious. Let us believe that through this seeming conflict, if all of us are willing to be led by the Holy Spirit, the Lord will bring about a solution that would be glorifying to God and pleasing to all stakeholders.
However, when we are led, not by the Holy Spirit but by the flesh, then there will be severe setbacks. I Corinthians 3:1-4 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. (2) I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; (3) for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? (4) For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal?
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