How does Acts 15:23 connect with Matthew 18:15-17 on conflict resolution? Setting the Scene “They sent this letter with them: ‘The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.’” “15 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17—Jesus’ Step-by-Step Plan • Start privately: one believer goes to the brother who is in error. • Add witnesses: one or two more come to confirm facts. • Involve the congregation: if stubbornness remains, the gathered body renders a decision that carries Christ’s authority (cf. v. 18-20). Acts 15:23—The Jerusalem Letter in Context • A doctrinal dispute erupts at Antioch over circumcision (Acts 15:1-2). • Paul and Barnabas debate privately, then travel with others to Jerusalem—escalating the matter. • Apostles and elders gather, hear testimony, search Scripture (15:6-18). • A unified judgment forms; they draft an official letter (v. 23). • Delegates deliver the decision to the churches (15:30-31), resolving the conflict and preserving fellowship. Connecting the Dots—How Acts 15 Mirrors Matthew 18 1. Private Effort First – Paul and Barnabas initially contend with the teachers in Antioch (15:2), echoing Jesus’ command to address error directly. 2. Witnesses Added – “Certain others” travel with Paul and Barnabas (v. 2); at Jerusalem, Peter, Barnabas, Paul, and James provide corroborating testimony (v. 7-12). The “two or three witnesses” principle is honored (Deuteronomy 19:15; Matthew 18:16). 3. Tell It to the Church – The apostles and elders represent the gathered church in Jerusalem. Their written verdict is effectively “the church” speaking (Matthew 18:17). By sending the decree to Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, the scope of “church” expands to the whole body of believers. 4. Binding and Loosing Authority – Jesus promised that the church’s righteous judgments would be ratified in heaven (Matthew 18:18). Acts 15 shows this authority exercised: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…” (v. 28). 5. Restoration, Not Punishment – The goal in both passages is reconciliation and unity, not division. The Jerusalem letter brings “encouragement” and “joy” (15:31), just as a successful Matthew 18 process “wins your brother over.” Practical Takeaways for Today • Follow the sequence—private, small group, church—without skipping steps. • Involve mature leadership when issues persist; God gifts elders to guard doctrine (Titus 1:9). • Anchor every decision in Scripture and the Spirit’s guidance (Acts 15:15, 28). • Communicate clearly—written summaries or minutes can prevent rumors and deepen trust, just as the Jerusalem letter did. • Aim for restoration; discipline is a means to unity, not an end in itself (Galatians 6:1). Encouraging Wrap-Up Acts 15:23 is not an isolated administrative note; it is the living out of Matthew 18:15-17. Both passages reveal a gracious God who provides orderly, loving steps for resolving conflict so that His people may “be of one mind, live in peace” (2 Corinthians 13:11). |
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