Read Acts 15
"Some men," self-appointed men as it turned out, set out to straighten up the Gentile believers in Antioch. The best way to handle this issue was to go right to the proper authorities at the center of leadership and convene a meeting. Peter and James (the brother of Jesus) spoke for the leadership of the church and said that Gentiles should be welcomed into the church without Jewish conversions. Mosaic law and wisdom concerning diet would be encouraged, but nothing should stand in the way of faith and grace. The right channels were followed in handling a controversy. And the Holy Spirit brought unity once again.
Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement as they prepared to leave Antioch to visit the other churches. Paul was not willing to let John Mark come along again since he had left them on the last trip. Barnabas was more willing to take a chance on John Mark and took him along in direction. Paul took Silas from Judea as a companion for the journey. And off they went in different directions to encourage the churches of Syrian and Cilicia. John Mark received a second chance while Silas received the opportunity of a lifetime.
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