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You Have Questions. The Bible Has Answers. |
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| How to Start and Run a Local Church |
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| Differences of Opinion Are Biblical |
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When a congregation is not controlled by a denomination or local pastor, some people are concerned that there will be too many "unpleasant differences of opinion". There is good reason for these concerns. "Unpleasant differences" can take away the joy that God wants for us. But differences of opinion do not have to be unpleasant—that is an important lesson to learn.
Numbers 14:11–20 contains a difference of opinion between God and Moses. God wanted to destroy the nation of Israel, but Moses wanted Him to keep them alive. Moses did not curse God and God did not strike Moses with lightning. Nobody became unpleasant and God listened to Moses. Micah's vision of God's throne shows us that God sometimes seeks multiple opinions of ways to accomplish his plans:
"Micah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him on his right and on his left. And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab into attacking Ramoth Gilead and going to his death there?' One suggested this, and another that. Finally, a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD and said, ‘I will entice him.' ‘By what means?' the LORD asked. ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets,' he said. ‘You will succeed in enticing him,' said the LORD. ‘‘Go and do it'"" (1Kings 22:19–22).
Acts 15 gives the story of a great difference of opinion: Was it necessary to circumcise Gentiles who were becoming believers in Jesus? "After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them…" (Acts 15:7). Later in the same chapter, Paul and Barnabas were planning to make another trip together, but they could not agree on whether or not to take Mark with them, so they agreed to go on completely separate trips. (Acts 15:36–41).
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Romans 14 is another great chapter showing that brethren have different opinions. "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables…" (Romans 14:2–3). Paul certainly knew whether or not it was permissible to eat meat, but he took this opportunity to teach the bigger lesson that people do not all have the same understanding and are accountable for what they personally know, not the complete facts that may be understood by somebody else. "But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23). As mentioned previously in this writing, the Bible gives a very effective procedure for peacefully resolving disagreements—even if the people making the decisions do not always make the right decisions. This procedure is found in Matthew 18:15–17 (see section below). Many people do not want to confront others with whom they disagree—even when they should. Others have a tendency to confront nearly everyone, whether they are right or wrong. But part of becoming like Christ (Romans 8:29) is learning to peacefully help people when they are wrong. Christ was bold and fearless, yet humble and loving at the same time. |
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