It isn’t hard to anticipate the reaction of other believers back in Jerusalem when they heard that Peter had been eating with Gentiles and had even baptised them! There was certainly some explaining to do, and Peter did not shrink from telling them the full story of how God was working in the lives of Gentiles as well as Jews. This was one of the key moments in the history of the early church – even although the issue was argued over again as we shall see in chapter 15.
Far from being a bad aspect of church life, this kind of honest criticism, open debate and clear resolution should be one of the strong points of Christian fellowship. Differences DO occur, sometimes through genuine misunderstandings or different views of events. Left unresolved, such differences fester to the point of bitterness and unhealthy division. Arguments unresolved, swept under the carpet, ignored or even denied, never ever help to build a church in love.

A few years ago at Spring Harvest the organisers put on a seminar in one of the smaller venues about resolving conflict in the local church. Attendance was massive – only a small proportion of those wishing to hear it could actually get in and a repeat had to be organised in a much larger venue. Nor was the topic of just academic interest – it became apparent that conflict was alive and thrashing about in many churches. We see in this section therefore potential for discord in the Church at Jerusalem, but by plain speaking and careful listening the matter was properly aired and considered. Love faces up to difficult issues, confronts them patiently, and seeks some agreement whenever possible. So here, Peter answers the criticism with simple evidence. That ends all argument; it results in praise to God for what He had done in the lives of the Gentiles. And that is a very good place to end – all those concerned have been able to see the hand of God in the incident, are willing to learn from it, and then move forward in praise and service together.

For reflection: Criticism and discord can be hard to handle. How do you feel – in work, family or church – when criticism is directed at you? And what do you do in those circumstances?