Quote Originally Posted by fishinFamily View Post
I agree that having a church similar to when Peter and Paul were alive would be wonderful. (Maybe without all the martyrs and persecution though? I may - through the grace of God - be strong enough to suffer and die for my faith, but I pray none of us has to!)

But in the time of Peter and Paul everyone in the church didn’t always see eye to eye…. In Acts 15 we see how dispute resolution was discussed and deferred to the hierarchy of the apostles and presbyters. The council of Jerusalem was a pre-ecumenical council and was the basis for future councils.
I agree that in Acts and some of the epistles that Paul wrote we find that there was some conflict, which most of it may have been started by the Jews trying to retain power and their ways of the imposed "laws".
I am sure you may recall them trying to impose circumcision on to the gentiles that converted, yet later was found to be unnecessary as Paul expanded all the way to Rome. I believe that when we use the Scriptures to resolve our differences in perception and opinions we allow God's word to shine the light on the truth giving the Holy Spirit the ability to guide us as Christ instructs by His teachings and commandments.

Remember, God's truth is our shield and buckler as He teaches us in Psalm 91, and I believe that we need to look at His word to grant us peace, even when we may perceive that others may be wrong.
May the mighty word of God and Christ always guide you and yours,
Frank