5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:5-11

Peter laid out the facts to his fellow Believers, and asked why they wanted to burden the Gentiles with something that doesn’t pertain to them. They were so used to following rules that it carried over into their news lives as Christians.

Part of it, though, could have been a power struggle between the Pharisees and the new leaders in the Church. It happens in the best of organizations, though it’s not likely called a power struggle by any side.

It takes a great deal of humility and grace to work through these power issues because each side is convinced it is correct.

Fortunately, as Believers, the Spirit of God is in each of us. We need to trust Him to help us resolve and work through interpersonal issues that arise.