How does Acts 18:15 guide us in handling disputes about religious law today? Setting the Scene in Corinth Acts 18 situates Paul in Corinth, where some Jewish leaders accuse him before Gallio, the Roman proconsul. Gallio’s reply frames the discussion: “Acts 18:15: ‘But since it is a question about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of such things.’” Gallio distinguishes civil offenses from religious debates and declines jurisdiction over purely theological matters. Key Observations from Acts 18:15 • Civil authorities need not arbitrate purely doctrinal issues. • Gallio expects the religious community to resolve its own disputes. • The gospel advances when external tribunals do not overshadow internal faith matters. • The early church was already learning to handle disagreements without depending on secular courts. Principles for Handling Religious‐Law Disputes Today 1. Keep spiritual matters within the household of faith when possible. 2. Recognize God-ordained civil authority (Romans 13:1-4) while understanding its limits. 3. Elevate Scripture as the final authority instead of personal preference or tradition. 4. Pursue peace and unity, never compromising core doctrine (Ephesians 4:3-6). 5. Avoid entangling the gospel with political or judicial agendas that distract from Christ. Supporting Scriptures • Matthew 18:15-17 — Jesus outlines a step-by-step process for addressing sin inside the fellowship. • 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 — Believers are warned against taking fellow Christians before secular courts. • 1 Timothy 1:3-7 — Command to confront false teaching so that faith remains pure. • 2 Timothy 2:23-26 — “Reject foolish and ignorant controversies… the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome.” • Titus 3:9 — Avoid “foolish controversies, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law.” Practical Steps for a Local Church • Establish clear doctrinal statements grounded in Scripture. • Provide teaching that equips members to handle differences biblically. • Employ mediation teams or elders to hear grievances promptly (1 Peter 5:1-3). • When disputes arise, follow Jesus’ pattern in Matthew 18, keeping the circle as small as conscience allows. • Appeal to civil courts only when moral, legal, or safety issues demand it—never for winning a theological argument. • Continually point one another back to the gospel, remembering that unity in Christ outweighs lesser disputes. A Closing Charge Acts 18:15 reminds us that doctrinal integrity and relational harmony are best guarded inside Christ’s body, under Scripture’s authority. By resolving our theological questions with humility and fidelity to God’s Word, we display a faith mature enough to govern itself and a testimony persuasive enough to shine before the watching world. |
    |