Problems arose in the Jerusalem congregation for several reasons, primarily tied to the nature of human beings and the challenges of maintaining a cohesive community. Here’s a brief overview of some contributing factors:
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Human Nature: As your statement correctly notes, humans are inherently flawed and prone to sin. This inherent imperfection can lead to disagreements, conflicts, and moral failings within any community, including religious congregations.
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Lack of Understanding: The congregation may have faced challenges in understanding the teachings and beliefs of the apostles. This lack of clarity could lead to confusion about what constituted right and wrong, resulting in divisions and disputes among members.
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Ignoring Teachings: If members of the congregation did not fully adhere to or respect the teachings of the apostles, this could create divisions and misunderstandings regarding the community's values and practices, leading to discord and conflict.
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Leadership Issues: Effective leadership is crucial for any organization. If the congregation lacked strong leadership or if there were different factions with conflicting agendas, this could lead to systemic issues within the community, promoting division and strife.
Overall, these factors created an environment where miscommunication, misunderstanding, and sinfulness could flourish, leading to numerous challenges within the Jerusalem congregation.
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