Acts 11:1-16
Does the bible teaches us anything on disputes and how it should be resolved?
In Acts 11, those who opposed to the salvation of the Gentiles were the Jews who were circumcised. According to their tradition, Gentiles were unclean and had no hope of salvation. This is the pride of a race.
Apostle Peter used the following virtue in his argument.
A. Humility - Peter could have used rank as the first Apostle of Christ, but he did not. He used this example to teach and instruct. Peter himself went through trials put forth to him, when he denied Christ three times. In the dream God instructed him three times to "slay and eat". As such he would not disobey the Lord this time. Be helpful and have the patience to explain and expound on the scriptures. Gently and patiently go through the scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to convince, convict and convert the heart.
B. Honesty - Be truthful and factual in every sentence and word. Our testimony should not be spiced up or embellished with exaggeration. Expound and expose everything in order so that there is transparency. Be systematic, and orderly in order to reduce confusion and build trust. We should not be hiding any facts, including those the may not be to our advantage. Untruthful account will not stand under examination. So long as the account is pure from the heart, we have nothing to fear.
Accountability towards God outweighs all others in situations such as this.
Does the bible teaches us anything on disputes and how it should be resolved?
In Acts 11, those who opposed to the salvation of the Gentiles were the Jews who were circumcised. According to their tradition, Gentiles were unclean and had no hope of salvation. This is the pride of a race.
Apostle Peter used the following virtue in his argument.
A. Humility - Peter could have used rank as the first Apostle of Christ, but he did not. He used this example to teach and instruct. Peter himself went through trials put forth to him, when he denied Christ three times. In the dream God instructed him three times to "slay and eat". As such he would not disobey the Lord this time. Be helpful and have the patience to explain and expound on the scriptures. Gently and patiently go through the scriptures and allow the Holy Spirit to convince, convict and convert the heart.
B. Honesty - Be truthful and factual in every sentence and word. Our testimony should not be spiced up or embellished with exaggeration. Expound and expose everything in order so that there is transparency. Be systematic, and orderly in order to reduce confusion and build trust. We should not be hiding any facts, including those the may not be to our advantage. Untruthful account will not stand under examination. So long as the account is pure from the heart, we have nothing to fear.
Accountability towards God outweighs all others in situations such as this.
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