Navigating Church Conflicts: Eight Biblical Principles for Managing Disputes Among Christ-Followers (Acts 15:1-35)

When a decision in the church must be made and cannot be ignored or delayed, how can it be made when there is disagreement among members?

Most of us recognize that disagreements within the church are inevitable. As diverse members of one body, we bring a variety of perspectives, experiences, and convictions that can spark and fuel conflicts.

However, the true test of our faith and unity in Christ is not the absence of conflict, but how we handle it. Even the early church, with its remarkable growth, spiritual maturity, and passion, faced disputes. In Acts 15, we see the first major dispute arise. Yet, through wisdom, humility, and adherence to biblical principles, they navigated these challenges and arrived at a decision that seemed good to them and to the Holy Spirit.

This guide, inspired by Acts 15 and other scriptural teachings, presents eight foundational principles for resolving conflicts within the church. These principles remind us that God has equipped us with the tools to handle disputes effectively.

1. Recognize the inevitability and resolvability of conflicts affecting the faith and practice of the church (Acts 15:1-3):

• Generally Speaking: Conflicts within the church are inevitable, arising from differing personalities, opinions, and interpretations of faith. In Acts 15:1-3, we see that early Christians faced conflicts regarding key doctrinal issues, which could not be ignored. Recognizing these conflicts and addressing them is essential for maintaining the health and unity of the church. Leaders must understand that conflicts are a natural part of church life and can be resolved through careful and prayerful consideration.
  
• Personally Speaking: "Clashes between personalities and positions are not abnormal. Leaders are to face the issue. Though we all wish such tensions were non-existent, Scripture assumes the contrary. Conflicts exist and will remain. Ignoring conflicts only ignites them. It is imperative to acknowledge and resolve conflicts affecting the faith and practice of the church"​​.

2. Hear the full reports of the various sides in an open forum (Acts 15:4-5, 24):

• Generally Speaking: "Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Paul's party was received by the whole church and leaders. A large setting and ample time were provided for them to report 'all that God had done with them' (Acts 15:4). The same held true for the counter view. Several argued from the opposite perspective. These theological concerns were not briefly mentioned; they were developed at length"​​.
  
• Personally Speaking: "Hearing the full reports of the various sides in an open forum is essential. Local church leaders need to facilitate such open forums when an issue is affecting the faith and practice of the church. Such a meeting should not be feared but welcomed"​​.

3. Look into the matter more fully after the reports are given (Acts 15:6):

• Generally Speaking: "The apostles and elders did not assume that because they had heard the full report, all angles were covered. Reading between the lines, a time break probably exists between verses 5 and 6. It would seem logical to conclude that they heard the full report and then went their separate ways to contemplate what they heard, coming together the next day or so to debate"​​.
  
• Personally Speaking: "In every church conflict, the local leaders must gather more data and insight. Hearing two sides may not paint the whole picture. People favor their position and downplay their opponent's. Therefore, leaders must determine the extent to which the presentations are accurate representations of the issue"​​.

4. Debate the issue among the deciding body to achieve consensus (Acts 15:7a-b):

• Generally Speaking: "One can easily skim over the word 'debate'; in fact, one can overlook the expression 'much debate.' The apostles and elders were unafraid of arguing the merits of both sides. The objective was to ascertain Christ's direction for the Gentile believers"​​.
  
• Personally Speaking: "Debate the issue among the deciding body for the purpose of consensus. This is not debate for the purpose of winning at any cost. The objective is to discern the will of God. Through this kind of interchange, blind spots are revealed, wrong assumptions and conclusions are exposed, and overlooked facts are discovered"​​.

5. Evaluate which side most evidences God’s power (Acts 15:7c-12) and best agrees with God’s word (Acts 15:13-18):

• Generally Speaking: "Evaluation is for the purpose of making a judgment of what is 'the best' or 'the good.' One can evaluate things subjectively on the basis of personal experience or objectively on the basis of biblical exegesis. In Acts 15:7-18, both standards are used. Peter, Paul, and Barnabas appeal to the leaders by citing their subjective experiences with God's power, while James appeals by citing the objective word of God"​​.
  
• Personally Speaking: "Evaluate which side most evidences God's power and agrees with God's word. In debating an issue, leaders are to evaluate which side is the better of the two or which side is in keeping with eternal principles"​​.

6. Propose a resolution for adoption (Acts 15:19-21):

• Generally Speaking: "James makes a summary judgment about the Christian Jews not troubling the Christian Gentiles and about the Christian Gentiles living in such a way so as not to offend the Jewish believers and unbelievers"​​.
  
• Personally Speaking: "A qualified leader who can make a summary judgment is necessary if such a proposal is to be adopted. God usually raises up key people with great discernment and credibility to state their opinion in a persuasive manner"​​.

7. Decide in favor of the proposal if it seems good to all the leaders and to the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:23-28):

• Generally Speaking: "We learn in Acts 16:4 that the proposal was 'decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.' This group of leaders made the decision on the basis of what 'seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us' (Acts 15:28)"​​.
  
• Personally Speaking: "Groups can discover God's will precisely. This need not be fifty brakes and one gas pedal. A unanimous decision is understood to be a decision wherein the whole group is in full agreement on the decision without hesitation"​​.

8. Communicate the results through the leading men to anyone unaware of the decision (Acts 15:22-35):

• Generally Speaking: "James’s proposal reflects the essential ingredients necessary to ensure peace between Jew and Gentile believers. To remove the stumbling block from the Gentiles meant that circumcision and the observance of the law of Moses could not be necessary for the Gentile converts"​​.
• ‍Personally Speaking: "Communicate the results through the leading men to anyone unaware of the decision. Local church leaders need to facilitate open forums when an issue is affecting the faith and practice of the church"​​.