Contend- To separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to oppose, strive with dispute
I. The Contention-Two Groups
A. Jewish Christians
1. Jews-1st to receive the revelation and Law of God
2. 1st to learn of the holiness of God
3. Early Jews to live separate from ungodly nations
4. Over the centuries, the Jews came to hate the ungodly Gentiles
5. Jews were to be a light to the Gentiles
6. Psalm 117:1 Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!
7. Isaiah 11:10 “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him,
8. Isaiah 42:1 “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
9. By God’s grace- Jews had a very moral upbringing thru God’s word.
10. Jews knew how mankind was supposed to live; they knew right and wrong.
11. Under Mosaic law, Jews had to be circumcised, dietary restrictions, holy days.
12. Early Jewish Christians- very legalistic, Mosaic mindset towards Gentiles.
13. General thought- Gentiles can’t become Christians.
14. If possible, then Gentiles must follow Mosaic law in order to be saved.
15. Some of us-similar to those Jews
16. Raised in church, taught right and wrong, stable family. Wonderful blessings.
17. We can expect that everyone should think and act like we do.
18. We are surprised when people act improperly, sinfully, ungodly.
19. God does not care about or honor our prejudices.
B. Gentiles
1. 1st century world-very immoral, pagan, idolatrous
2. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
3. The Gentile world did not have the exposure to God that the Jews did.
4. They were still guilty for their sins, their violation of conscience.
5. Some of us- similar to those early Gentiles.
6. Broken home, drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse, alcohol abuse
7. No morality, no Christianity, no right and wrong, no consequences
8. No paternal love, no sense of family values. “Law of jungle” mentality.
C. The Danger-Church Split
1. Legalist Jews wanted to conform Gentiles to their standard.
2. New Gentile Christians simply wanted to know Jesus.
3. Danger- We try to conform people
a. To our extra-biblical standards
b. To our time-table
c. We disapprove, and are impatient
4. Better idea- Allow people to be changed by God
5. Jesus-The Greatest Fisherman ever-
a. He knows how to catch ‘em
b. He knows how to clean ‘em
II. Handling Contentions
A. Communicate Vs. 1-3
1. They came to Peter; more than most will do. Others share “prayer request”.
2. Their minds were made up; not good
3. Didn’t have the facts; not good
4. Filled w/prejudice
5. Ask God to reveal your prejudices, and to be teachable.
B. Listen
1. Peter patiently listened- not easy, especially when you are innocent
2. Peter loved Jesus & His church
C. Explain V. 4
1. Humble- Prov. 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
2. No counter attack- Peter loved the Body of Christ
3. Don’t win battle & lose war- Prov. 15:28 The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil.
4. Systematically explain the facts- very powerful
5. Peter- “I was like you…prejudiced”. Humility- Peter corrected by God.
D. Consider God
1. Vision- biblical. God changed Peter’s mind. Church for all races.
2. Directions from God- “I had to obey” vs. 11, 12
3. Cornelius received vision from angel. God willing… vs. 13, 14
4. I preached, H.S. fell. If angel willing to go, H.S. willing to come, why not me?
5. God did it.
6. “I argued with God, 3 X’s”. Peter correctable, humble. v. 10
7. Not only save Gentiles, but destroy Peter’s prejudice.
8. “What would you have done?” “What should I have done?” Reflection. v. 17
9. “They became silent.” Gracious “out”. No fight. v. 18
10. “They glorified God”. The result of godly actions. v. 18
11. Eph. 4:3 “…endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit…” Make effort, labor.