Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and the elders, about this question.

  - Acts 15.2

Brendan went to the saints of Erin to ask their judgment on him in this matter, and searched with them all the divine Scriptures.

  - Anonymous, Vita Brendani, Irish, 12th century from an earlier ms.[1]

Disciplines
Brendan was one of the great leaders of the Celtic Revival in the middle of the 6^th century, one of the “Twelve Apostles of Ireland,” appointed by Finnian of Clonard for the proclamation of the Gospel beyond the shores of Ireland.

A man of Brendan’s company had tragically drowned, and Brendan began to be overwhelmed with concern that something he had done had been the occasion of this tragedy. So distraught was he at the prospect of having sinned against his brother, that he sought out “the saints of Erin” – probably a reference to the most revered Church leaders of the mid-6th century. Together they searched the Scriptures to see if, indeed, he had any guilt in this matter.

It turns out he was not accountable for what was, after all, only an accident. But the principle is the point: Brendan was not content to have this turmoil in his soul, and he reckoned that he was not competent to resolve it by himself. He submitted to the elders of his day as they studied, discussed, and applied the Scriptures to the situation, and comforted their brother in his distress.

This is just what we see Paul and Barnabas doing in Acts 15, as the Church came together over the Word to consider Paul’s experience preaching to Gentiles, and to render a judgment.

This is the way churches should function to discern the truth of God and preserve the purity of the Body of Christ. Elders and pastors must labor over the Word. As one of the old monastic rules from the Celtic period puts it, church leaders must be “conversant” with the Scriptures. They must be immersed in, clothed with, and in continuous communion with the Word and Spirit of God.

And they must be the kind of men whose love for their people is so palpable that they who are wrestling with guilt will not hesitate to come to them, seek their counsel, and submit to their wisdom as from the Lord.

For such to happen requires relationships of love, service, mutual respect, and transparent trust. Church leaders must be true shepherds if they are to fulfill the role of the “saints of Erin” and the “apostles and elders” of the first churches.

If the leaders of your church are working to sustain such pastoral relations with their members, by all means, affirm and encourage them.

For by such means the Truth will prevail in your church, to the praise of the glory of God.

Psalm 23.1-4 (The Gift of Love: “Though I May Speak with Bravest Fire”)
Because the Lord my Shepherd is I shall not want, for I am His!
He makes me lie in pastures full, I rest in Him by waters still.

My soul He quickens and will bless; He leads in paths of righteousness.
Though I may walk in death’s dark vale, I shall not fear – He will not fail.

Bless our shepherds, O Lord, and guide them in the careful study and application of Your truth.

Support Your Shepherds
In ancient Israel, the “shepherds” of God’s flocks assembled in the gates of the city, where they would discuss the Word and its application to situations in the community. Ruth 4 gives a picture of how this worked, and the situation in Acts 15 is based on that kind of public deliberating over how to understand and apply God’s truth. Our column, In the Gates, is designed to help pastors and shepherds understand how God’s Law of liberty and life applies to churches today, Every day we work through some specific application of the Law, designed to encourage God’s people to grow in love for Him and one another. Here’s a suggestion: Why not send your pastor and shepherds this link to our In the Gates column, and encourage them to take advantage of this daily resource for their work in caring for the Lord’s sheep?

And pray for your pastors and shepherds, that they will be people who love the Law and Word of God.

T. M. Moore, Principal
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.