Acts 15:30-35

30The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.

31The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.

32Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

33After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.

35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Encouraging Message

The debate over circumcision could have split the church, but Paul, Barnabas, and the Jews in Antioch made the right decision - they sought counsel from the church leaders and from God's Word.

Same principle applies today. Our differences should be settled the same way, by seeking wise counsel and abiding by the decisions, without bitterness. Third-party assistance is a sound method for resolving problems and preserving unity.