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A UNANIMOUS DECISION BASED ON GOD'S WORD (Let's look at this…
A UNANIMOUS DECISION BASED ON GOD'S WORD
Let's look at this picture!
Spiritually mature men, their families, and new disciples.
All of them are participating in making the congregation strong.
How is it possible?
We can also appreciate the readiness to accept change.
With the support of all the members of the congregation; there is true peace and harmony,
therefore spiritual progress
.
We can observe their discipline.
This harmony starts from respect for the word of God.
Then, we are all involved.
Only through obedience, Jehovah God can act through his Holy Spirit for the benefit of the congregation.
The first to be involved are our brothers in the governing body.
In this room a congregation of the past is gathered!
Let's look at the Biblical example of how our mature brothers of the first century acted when a controversy arose.
ACTS 15;1,2
What wrong views were certain believers promoting, and what question does this raise?
(...) ‘Unless you get circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’”
Why were Jewish believers still promoting circumcision some 13 years after the apostle Peter,
as directed by God
, had welcomed uncircumcised Gentiles into the Christian congregation?
It could also happen to us during our ministry!
The need for patience may arise when we study the Bible with people who find it hard to abandon cherished false beliefs or unscriptural customs.
In such cases, we may need to allow a reasonable amount of time for God’s spirit to work on the heart of the student.
Think of this comparison: What happens when an old, bridge needs to be replaced?
Likewise, before we ask people to give up their cherished “old” beliefs, we may first need to help them build a strong appreciation for “new” truths—Bible teachings that at the outset are unfamiliar to them.
Only then will they be ready to abandon their former viewpoint. It may take time to help people make such changes.
Often, a new bridge is constructed while the old bridge is still in use. Once the new bridge is ready, the old one can be torn down.
The disciple Luke wrote: “Certain men came down [to Antioch] from Judea and began to teach the brothers: (...)
Why was the issue of circumcision taken to the governing body in Jerusalem?
In the interests of peace and unity, the congregation wisely arranged to take the question to “the apostles and older men in Jerusalem,” who made up the governing body.
The results are always good and always to our advantage.
So let us never proudly push ahead with our own ideas or react negatively to organizational changes or to adjusted explanations of certain scriptures.
What a privilege it is to be instructed and molded by our patient and kind heavenly Father!
ACTS 15:19,20
Under Christ’s direction, the governing body made it clear that non-Jewish Christians did not need to be circumcised.
Jewish Christians needed sufficient time to adjust their viewpoint.
Some found it hard to accept that circumcision was no longer a sign of a special relationship with God.
For some, it takes time to adjust to a clarification in understanding.
How spiritually mature men faced the situation?
ACTS 15:28,29
The governing body in Jerusalem had reached a unanimous decision on the issue of circumcision.
For the brothers in the congregations to act in unity that decision had to be communicated to them clearly and in a positive, encouraging way.
The letter provided clear direction for Gentile Christians not only regarding the circumcision issue but also regarding what they must do in order to receive Jehovah’s favor and blessing.
They trusted in Jehovah!
They turned to Jehovah by reading and meditating on his word.
Finally; they acted promptly when they understood Jehovah's answer.
They turned to Jehovah through prayer!
Jehovah God has not changed.
Meetings, preaching, personal study, how to treat others ....
So we must continue to trust in his faithful and discreet slave.
What was the result of this kind of obedience?
ACTS 16:4,5
If we wish to have peace we must obey the theocratic provisions promptly.
We must all be ready to act promptly, just as we see in this image.