Dissension and Disputation among Apostles

Grace unto you, and peace,
from God our (merciful) Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Dissension and Disputation among Apostles
(Apostolic Controversy & Apostolic Conflict)

Nobody can read Acts 15 and Galatians 2 and say there wasn't dissension and disputation among apostles (contention among apostles, conflict among apostles). There was plenty of apostolic controversy about law vs grace: two contrary things which cannot coexist in peace and only mix to make an oxymoron with a bad end. And once it is seen, the contention and conflict among apostles becomes ever more apparent throughout the entire New Testament; especially between John and Paul (Law and Grace). John was as a thorn in Paul's flesh, the messenger (bishop) of Satan (Peter only man called Satan in Bible, also first Pope) sent to buffet Paul.

For example in 3John we find John subtly flatters Gaius (one of the seven angels of Revelation who accompanied Paul into Asia to establish churches there) and says Demetrius spoke the truth (when he spoke 'against' Paul in Acts 19:24-29). Again in Revelation 2:9 we find John speaking 'against' Paul and others, saying they were not real Jews (not faithful to the law) but the synagogue of Satan (for being grace instead of law). As such we find Revelation is a Pauline satire on John, revealing how John turned back to law as a dog returned to his vomit (2Pet 2:22).

In the four gospels, during the ministry of Jesus, the majority of contention was caused by James and John (sons of Zebedee also called son of thunder). They cause so much trouble they moved the ten to indignation. Following the crucifixion they went back to their fishing hole, the sea of Galilee (also called Generest). And even though a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, it wasn't only Judas who leavened the twelve, for Judas he "also" betrayed Jesus, denoting others did too.

The most obvious dissension and disputation is flat out stated in the first two verses of Acts of the Apostles - Chapter 15: "And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question". Hence the Jerusalem council.

We also find in Galatians 2:5 that Paul and Barnabus would not be in subjection to the other apostles, no, not for an hour (the general time of a synagogue church service). When looking closer we find Paul "The Apostle" even names the three top dogs: James, Cephas(Peter), and John, who subverted the churches. So the question: who(?) bewitched you in Galatians 3:1 is cleverly and subtly answered elsewhere; also the how: subversion, and by what: law. And since such subversion of the churches so depressed Timothy, he had to be "set at liberty" again, as noted To the Hebrews in Hebrews 13. Revelation 2 & 3 are about John attempting to subvert the churches of Asia.

Earlier in Acts we find Peter, allied with the merciless Holy Ghost, bringing sudden death upon Ananias and Saphira for holding back a part of their vow. And the three top dogs being as dictators when it came to collecting and distributing the money. They got so high and mighty they wouldn't serve the people, and had seven men (such as Stephen) appointed to do such things.

Peter never got fully converted till after he was the first Pope in Rome. John never got fully converted. James getting killed by Herod actually "pleased the Jews" in Acts 12. For James wouldn't let either Jews or Gentiles be free of the law. At the Jerusalem council he agreed the Gentiles were never even given the law, but then added a little knowing a little leaven would leaven the whole lump. He even made a deal with the Romans to extradict converts back to Jerusalem for punishment. In the time before Saul became Paul, Saul was very active in such things. For example at the stoning of Stephen Saul not only gave his consent, but those doing it laid their garments at his feet. However when Saul got converted to Paul (notably not till Acts 13), it was from zealous law to zealous grace, never mixing the twain as did the other Apostles who were all upbraided for their unbelief, like a hung jury.

The "grace" of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Related Web Pages and Articles:
Probating the will of God. What will God our Saviour have?
Our only Goal is Get Understanding of Global Reconciliation

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.