Acts 14

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders. 4 The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. 5 There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. 6 But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, 7 where they continued to preach the good news.

How was Paul and Barnabas first received?

…a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.

How was this different from past cities that they visited?

            It wasn’t it.

Who plotted against them in Iconium?

Verse 2: But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers

Verse 5: There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them.

Unto Lystra and Debre….

8 In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed 10 and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. 16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

Picture yourself being present in Lystra in the situation described in verses 8-18. In light of your own personality, what thoughts or questions would be in your mind after you heard the words of Paul and Barnabas in verse 15-17?

In these verses who are the main “actors” and what role did they play? (see yellow highlights)

• a man crippled in his feet
• the crowd
• Paul
• priest of Zeus
• apostles Barnabas
• "Men,

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

From what you recall seeing in this chapter, try answering the following question without looking at your Bible: Luke mentions some Jews who stirred up the people of Lystra, resulting soon in Paul's being attacked and nearly killed. Where did these Jews come from? (See verse 19.) And what do we know about them?

• some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium

In verses 15-17, as Paul speaks to the people of Lystra, what is he saying God?  What do you think is the significance of each point which he makes?

"Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who

1.    made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

2.    16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way.

3.    17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: (what is the testimony?)

a.    He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;

b.    he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

c.    Not mentioned by Paul but possible

                                                          i.    Abraham

                                                        ii.    Moses etc.

Oswald Chambers once wrote

There is no room for…the crank or the fanatic in missionary work.  A fanatic is one who has forgotten he is a human being.  Our Lord never sent our cranks or fanatics, he sent out those who were loyal to His domination.  He sent out ordinary men and women…

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was born July 24, 1874, in Aberdeen, Scotland. Converted in his teen years under the ministry of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, he studied art and archaeology at the University of Edinburgh before answering a call from God to the Christian ministry.

Any idea what book he wrote?

Although Oswald Chambers wrote only one book, Baffled to Fight Better, more than thirty titles bear his name. With this one exception, published works were compiled by Mrs. Chambers, a court stenographer, from her verbatim shorthand notes of his messages taken during their seven years of marriage. For half a century following her husband's death she labored to give his words to the world.

My Utmost For His Highest, his best-known book, has been continuously in print in the United States since 1935 and remains in the top ten titles of the religious book bestseller list with millions of copies in print. It has become a Christian classic.

What happens to the cranks and fanatic’s in mission work?

Burn out

Funky teachings

Lose their way and lead others with them

In verse 19 Paul was left for dead – what would have been John Wesley’s advice to Paul?

John Wesley once said: “always look a mob in the face.”

What did Paul do?

20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

William Barclay said

There could be no braver thing that Paul’s going straight back amongst those who had tried to murder him.  A deed like that would have more effect than a hundred sermons. Men were bound to ask themselves where a man got the courage to act in such a way.

1907 to 1978

Celebrating the life and works of 'the supreme communicator of the New Testament gospel in our time'

From 1943 until 1947 Barclay was Editor of the Sunday School Teachers Magazine, and contributed a regular weekly page in the British Weekly, a regular monthly page in the Expository Times and was a regular contributor to Young Scotland. He was also a well-known and popular broadcaster

21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, 25 and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

What did Paul and Barnabas doing on their return trip?

1.    Verse 22

a.    They strengthened

                                   i.    Instructing them further concerning the Christian way

b.    Encouraged

                                   i.    To remain true to the faith.  Letting them know that they would face hardships

2.    Verse 23

a.    They appointed elders

                                   i.    They helped believers in each place to recognize people the Holy Spirit had gifted for servant-leadership

b.    They commended them to the Lord

                                   i.    The most effective leaders and committed people cannot make church happen as it is intended.  The church, like the Christian life, requires a walk of faith – a dependence on Christ to function as Savior and leader of his church, his body.

Trivia Question approximately how many miles did Paul travel on this journey?   1250 miles

In your own words, how would you summarize the victory the church achieved in Chapter 13 & 14 through the power of the Holy Spirit?

How strategically important are chapters 13 and 14 for the continued growth of the church?

In chapter 14, what appropriate patterns and principles do you see for evangelism in then and now?

1. they went
2. they preached
3. they withstood hardship
4. they revisited
5. they encouraged
6. they trained up leaders to lead

FOR GOING DEEPER

Review the mind-boggling change of heart on the part of the crowds in Lystra (verses 18-19) in the light of the Lord's words in John 2:23-25. What do these passages reveal about human nature?

John 2:23-25

Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many people saw the miraculous signs he was doing and believed in his name.  24 But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men. 25 He did not need man's testimony about man, for he knew what was in a man.

What do you think Christ was referencing when the scriptures says “Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men?

1. They might to try and make him a god
2. As long as he was a sugar daddy everything was great
3. He also knew what would happen and how they would praise him today but yell crucify him tomorrow.

The Son of God knows all about human nature. Jesus was well aware of the truth of Jeremiah 17:9, which states,

 "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"

Jesus was discerning, and he knew that the faith of some followers was superficial. Some of the same people claiming to believe in Jesus at this time would later yell "Crucify him!" It's easy to believe when it is exciting and everyone else believes the same way. But keep your faith firm even when it isn't popular to follow Christ.

Acts 14:18-20

18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.

How was Paul being treated compare with how Christ was treated?

Only days after the people in Lystra had thought that Paul and Barnabas were gods and wanted to offer sacrifices to them, they stoned Paul and left him for dead. That's human nature. Jesus understood how fickle crowds can be (John 2:24,25). When many people approve of us, we feel good, but that should never cloud our thinking or affect our decisions. We should not live to please the crowd—especially in our spiritual lives. Be like Jesus. Know the nature of the crowd and don't put your trust in it. Put your trust in God alone.

Acts 15

15 Some men 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."

2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.

 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

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 obey 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 made no distinction 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 the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers 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."

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they finished, James spoke up:

"Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 "'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things' 18 that have been known for ages.

(James continues) 19 "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."

22 Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Greetings. 24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.  35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Acts 15:1

Some men 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."

These mean in verse 1 were known as Judaizers, what are Judaizers?

[joo dee EYE zurs] — early converts to Christianity who tried to force believers from non-Jewish backgrounds to adopt Jewish customs as a condition of salvation. Evidence of this movement within the early church first emerged about  A.D. 49, when "certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved'" (Acts 15:1).

Where did the custom of circumcise come again?

God had made the covenant of circumcision with Abraham (Genesis 17). This covenant was a sign of Abraham's and his descendants' obedience to God in all matters, and it signified the Jews as God's covenant people.

Why was it import to some Jews that the Gentles had to be circumcised?

Once circumcised, there was no turning back. The circumcised man would be identified as a Jew forever. More than any other practice, circumcision separated God's people from their pagan neighbors. The phrase "custom taught by Moses" refers to circumcision as part of the law (Moses wrote Genesis through Deuteronomy), but it had been originally given to Abraham through the covenant. Jesus said, "Because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a child on the Sabbath" (John 7:22 NIV).

How were the Judaizers different from their Hebrew still “Jewish” brothers?

These so-called Judaizers were not evil; unlike their hard-hearted and hateful Hebrew brothers who rejected Jesus, these legalists were sympathetic to the teachings of Jesus. In some way they had associated with the fledgling church. Although moral and God-fearing, Paul called them "false brothers," for their beliefs were far from the true gospel (Galatians 2:1-10).

What was the mindset of the Judaizers…

To understand the Judaizers' actions, we need to understand their mind-set. They were steeped in the long and proud history of the Jews. Certainly the Hebrews were God's chosen people. God had given the Jews numerous advantages, blessings, and responsibilities. He had been faithful to them, even during their rebellious periods. And Jesus, their long-awaited Messiah, had come. Then they had experienced the bewildering and exciting events of Pentecost.

In the early days, all of the believers were Jews. In fact, the early church was viewed as a sect within Judaism. But soon Gentiles began putting their faith in Christ. Furthermore, Paul and his colleagues were intentionally seeking to bring Gentiles into the community of faith. To the strict Jews among them, this was acceptable, except that they believed Paul's message to be dangerously incomplete. Paul wasn't asking these Gentile converts to follow the old ways! He wasn't saying anything to these ex-pagans about circumcision and keeping the law! So the Judaizers set about to correct the problem. They believed that they had Scripture on their side (Genesis 17:14; Exodus 12:48-49). Even Jesus had said, "I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17 NLT). Given all these presuppositions, the Judaizers concluded that Christianity was not intended to bypass Judaism but to build on it. Judaism, with its centuries of history and tradition, was the prerequisite. They saw Jesus (and his message) as the final step in the long process.

The Judaizers were afraid that soon there would be more Gentile than Jewish Christians. Also, they were afraid that moral standards among believers would be weakened if they did not follow Jewish laws. Paul, Barnabas, and the other church leaders believed that the Old Testament law was very important but that it was not a prerequisite to salvation. Their message was that the law cannot bring salvation; only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ can a person be saved.

When do we become Judaizers?

What major events since Stephens’s death has leads to this point?

1. Saul (Paul) was converted on the road to Damascus (9:1-19).
2. Paul made his first post conversion visit to Jerusalem after he left Damascus (9:26-30).
3. About three years later (after spending time in Arabia — see Galatians 1:17), Paul made a second visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas to bring relief to the Christians who were suffering because of the famine taking place there (11:27-30).
4. It is likely that Paul met during this visit with the leaders of the Jerusalem church (Peter, James, and John) to consult with them about the message he was preaching. (This meeting is described in Galatians 2:1-10.)
5. Paul and Barnabas then went on the first missionary journey (13:1-3).
6. Paul and Barnabas returned to report to the church in Antioch (14:21-28).
7. When Peter came to Antioch from Jerusalem, Paul confronted him about his refusal to eat with Gentiles when Jews were present (see Galatians 2:11-14).
8. While in Antioch, Paul apparently had heard about the Judaizers (who were infiltrating the churches planted on the first journey), and then he met them (15:1-2). With that in mind (and perhaps also the recent behavior of Peter), Paul wrote the epistle to the Galatians (around  A.D. 49).
9. Paul then left with Barnabas for Jerusalem (to discuss this issue with the elders and apostles of the church). The meeting is recorded in this chapter.

The council in Jerusalem convened to discuss who needed to be circumcised, but what was really decided in the meeting?

1.    If the Judaizers had won, the Gentiles would have been required to be circumcised and, in effect, converted to Judaism. This would have confined Christianity to simply being another sect within Judaism.

2.    What really was decided was what it took to be saved

Acts 15:6

So the apostles and church elders got together to decide this question.

Who made up the first Church Council?

The exact makeup of this council is unknown. Other apostles (besides Peter, Paul, and James) may have been summoned and present. Verses 12 and 22 indicate that this discussion took place in the presence of the entire congregation. But the clear implication is that the church leaders, the apostles and church elders (and not the whole assembly), deliberated and decided this volatile issue.

What are the three positions being presented at this council (Judaizers, Gentile Christians, Peter and James)?

Judaizers believed…

Gentiles must become Jewish first to be eligible for salvation

Reasons

1. They were devout, practicing Jews who found it difficult to set aside a tradition of gaining merit with God by keeping the law
2. They thought grace was too easy for the Gentiles
3. They were afraid of seeming too non-Jewish in the practice of their new faith — which could lead to persecution
4. The demands on the Gentiles were a way of maintaining control and authority in the movement

Gentile Christians believed…

Faith in Christ as Savior is the only requirement for salvation

Reasons

1. To submit to Jewish demands would be to doubt what God had already done for them by grace alone
2. They resisted exchanging a system of Jewish rituals for their pagan rituals — neither of which had power to save
3. They sought to obey Christ by baptism (rather than by circumcision) as a sign of their new faith

Peter and James believed…

Faith is the only requirement, but there must be evidence of change by rejecting the old lifestyle:

Reasons

1. They tried to distinguish between what was true from God's Word and what was just human tradition
2. They had Christ's command to preach to all the world
3. They wanted to preserve unity
4. They saw that Christianity could never survive as just a sect within Judaism

Acts 15:5

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 obey the law of Moses."

Why where the Pharisees invited to this debate on salvation?

Acts 15:7

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."

Peter reminds people of his witness to Cornelius (in chapter 10), why was this important for him to do?

1. the pattern of witnessing is one of sharing one’s personal experiences
2. events in chapter 10 took place around AD 40
3. events in chapter 15 take place in about AD 50

How did the early church handle conflict?

It is helpful to see how the churches in Antioch and Jerusalem resolved their conflict:

1.    the church in Antioch sent a delegation to help seek a solution;

2.    the delegates met with the church leaders to give their reports and set another date to continue the discussion;

3.    Paul and Barnabas gave their report;

4.    James summarized the reports and drew up the decision;

5.    everyone agreed to abide by the decision;

6.    the council sent a letter with delegates back to Antioch to report the decision.

What Christ teaching is this following?

Matthew 18:15-17

15 "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'  17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Acts 15:10-11

"Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will."

If the law was a yoke that neither the Jews of that day nor their ancestors had been able to bear, however, how did having the law help them throughout their history?

Paul wrote that the law had been a guide that had pointed out their sins so they could repent and return to God and right living (see Galatians 3:24-25). It was, and still is, impossible to obey the law completely. That would be a burden too hard for any human being.

Galatians 3:23-25

23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

What is Peter telling them and us about salvation?

In effect, Peter urged the council not to advocate a double standard. Salvation — whether for Jew or Gentile — is through the grace of the Lord Jesus (see Ephesians 2:8-9). What the law could never do, God did through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:1-4). "Grace" is God's kindness to us.

What must we do to earn God’s grace?

People can do nothing to earn grace; it is simply given by God voluntarily to those he saves. No one deserves to be saved, and no religious, intellectual, or moral effort can earn salvation because it comes only from God's mercy and love. Without God's grace, no person can be saved. To receive God's salvation, people must acknowledge that they cannot save themselves and that only God can save them. Then they must trust in Christ.

Acts 15:12

There was no further discussion, and everyone listened as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

Acts 15:13-18

When they had finished, James stood and said,

"Brothers, listen to me. Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,

'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, so that all other peoples may seek the Lord — even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.'"

Open to Amos 9:11-12 while I read Acts 15:13-18

11 "In that day I will restore

David's fallen tent.

I will repair its broken places,

restore its ruins,

and build it as it used to be,

12 so that they may possess the remnant of Edom

and all the nations that bear my name,"

declares the Lord, who will do these things.

Why did James go to scripture to prove his point?

Recognizing the need to base any forthcoming decision on something more substantial than mere experience, James went to the Scriptures. He demonstrated how all the events in question corresponded with the witness of the Old Testament prophets. This was the ultimate test.

How do Jewish boys learn scripture?

They memorize it…

Why didn’t James quote Amos word for word?

Scholars have long wondered about this passage of Acts and the Old Testament quote it contains. James's quote includes a text different from the Hebrew text and different even from the Septuagint (an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament). It is not clear why James did this, but it is obvious how he understood and applied this passage to the crisis facing the early church.

James uses the Old Testament to prove a New Testament principal who else has done the same thing?

Stephen, Paul, Peter

What does this example and the example of Peter, Paul and Stephen tell us about the Charleston Hesston movie the TEN COMMANDMENTS?

Despite the compelling experiences of Peter, Barnabas, and Paul, James turned to God's Word as the ultimate test of truth (15:15-18). This should be the way we evaluate events. We all have beliefs (some of them fervent). We all have experiences. And the tendency is for us to want to measure others by our yardstick. It is common for believers to think that their experience, their conviction, is true and should be the norm. Different ideas are thought to be inferior or invalid. Ultimately, however, what matters is what God's Word says. The more we know God's Word, the more we read it and study it and memorize it and meditate on it, the better we will be able to discern what is right and best in times of controversy or doctrinal disagreement