The Way brings and keeps us together – if we keep following it. Even as God revealed the mystery that Jews and Gentiles are “members of the same body” in Christ Jesus, there was struggle (cf. Eph. 3:4-6). Some of the disciples believed Gentiles needed to become Jewish to be saved. Even Barnabas and the Apostle Peter were influenced by this “circumcision party” once in Antioch (cf. Gal. 2:11-13). So, what did Paul do? “[W]hen I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, ‘If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?’” (Gal. 2:14). No turning blind eyes. No angrily moving across town to start a Gentile-only church, either. Paul addressed the issue, knowing that Jesus’ Way is for His followers to be one (cf. John 17:20-23).
When the issue persisted, they brought it to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem – and the Way it was handled is stunning (Acts 15:1-2). As they “gathered together to consider this matter”, they listened to each other. They tested their experiences against Scripture. They didn’t just seek what seemed best to them but what was “good to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 15:27). And they reached a beautiful, Spirit-filled compromise. Gentiles did not need to become Jewish; but love should motivate them to help their Jewish brethren feel comfortable. This “seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church” (Acts 15:22). Unbelievable, right? This is the Way – and following it moves us forward.
Then as Paul and Barnabas made plans to deliver this decision to the churches, “a sharp disagreement” arose between them (Acts 15:39). Barnabas wanted to give John Mark, his young cousin who had abandoned them during their first trip, a second chance. Paul “thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn” (Acts 15:38). So, “they separated from each other”, Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus while Paul took Silas through Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:39-41). Yet, even as they went different directions, they stayed together. Paul warmly referenced Barnabas in his later letters (cf. 1 Cor. 9:6, Col. 4:10). Nearing the end of his life, he even told Timothy, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11). We often lose our warm feelings for each other when we disagree. It is as though we reassure ourselves we are right by pointing out all the ways they are wrong. If we are going to follow the Way, we have to stop that. Sometimes challenges may force us apart. Yet, our churches can still be “strengthened in the faith” and “increase in numbers daily” – if like Paul and Barnabas we focus on Jesus and choose to stay together in spirit (Acts 16:5).
Join us as we learn from the real people in Jerusalem, Antioch, and Ephesus how to truly follow “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” of Jesus Christ together!