Things That Were Written Aforetime...

In Leviticus 26:23-24, God warned the children of Israel against falling away saying, "And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins." The prophet Amos (3:1-8), demonstrates that Israel had sustained a special relationship to God as His chosen people; and because this had been violated, punishment must come. In verse three, before relaying God's judgment the prophet declares: "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" Indeed, they were no longer walking with God or one another. Yet, it is the will of God that unity prevail between Him and His people; and among His people.

Paul instructed the Corinthians to (1) speak the same thing, (2) put away divisions among them, and (3) be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Cor. 1:10). Paul and Titus walked in the same spirit (2 Cor. 12:18). Paul taught the Ephesians to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (4:3). Jesus prayed that His disciples might be one (John 17:21), and the Psalmist said, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (133:1). Even though there was strife between the herdmen of Abraham and Lot, there was no real disagreement between the two of them. Abraham did not insist on "having his way," which he could have; to him the fact that he and Lot were brethren outweighed by far the possession of a few miles of real estate (Gen 13:1-8).

It is tremendously important for brethren to enjoy the comforts of unity, but there are times when it is needful to call upon them to account for their beliefs and practices. Unity at any price is not a desirable or acceptable alternative. However, whenever possible, and whenever there is an option, wise brethren will try to maintain a bond of fellowship even though they disagree; and there have been, and still are, situations where this is possible.

Paul and Peter

Paul disagreed with Peter because of his inconsistency. Peter had formerly been eating with the Gentiles, a thing no orthodox

Jew would ordinarily do, but when the gentiles came, Peter withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. Paul could not endorse Peter's actions, and the disagreement was a little more than mild. In fact, Paul "withstood Peter to the face, because he was to be blamed" (Gal. 2:11-12). In verse 12, the phrase "he ate with" expresses an habitual action of the past, i.e., "he (Peter) used to eat regularly with Gentiles." Peter stood condemned by his own contradictory actions as well as his conscience. Peter's actions did not affect him alone; others were also affected by what Peter had done; they were others who were not "walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:14). Paul's rebuke of Peter had to do with his inconsistency. Since Peter was not teaching false doctrine, fellowship between the two of them did not have to be broken. There is no evidence that Peter's pride was injured, or that he developed an "attitude of resentment" toward Paul, or that he later spake disparagingly of him. Later, in one of his own epistles, Peter referred to Paul as the "beloved brother Paul" (2 Pet. 3:16).

Paul And Barnabas

On the first preaching trip of Paul and Barnabas, which began from Syrian Antioch, they took John Mark with them (Acts 13:1-5), but when they reached Perga in Pamphylia, John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem with no explanation for his action. The two veteran gospel preachers continued on their journey, finished their course, and eventually returned to Antioch (14:26). Sometime later, Paul expressed the desire to "go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they do" (15:36). At this point a disagreement occurred between these two brethren. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them, but Paul thought not good to take him; a "sharp contention" ensued between these two great men (v. 39). In verse 38, Barnabas determined to take John Mark. "Determined" (KJV) translates a word which means "to will, to want, to wish." The imperfect tense of the word indicates Barnabas "stuck to" his decision.

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