Unhealthy Mission

Job 11-12; Acts 15-16 

“Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’ This brought Paul and Barnabus into sharp dispute and debate with them…”

Acts 15:1, 2

Why would “certain people” travel from Jerusalem to Antioch without the blessing of the Jerusalem elders to bring their personal doctrinal beliefs to the emerging church in Antioch?

They believed their convictions to be the right ones and an important foundation for the new believers. The same exporting of theology is happening today within the fast growing African and Asian churches. The internet and television have made exporting our theological distinctives easier than ever before. However, we lack the discernment, consensus-building, and authority of the Jerusalem Council. Today, self-proclaimed apostles, prophets, and evangelists do what is right in their own eyes. Validation comes through their testimonies and experiences, rather than their sending churches. Healthy mission includes both a sending church and a calling group.

“Lord Jesus, cleanse your Church from heresy and unhealthy mission, for your glory.”