These verses give us a special glimpse into a critical moment of unity in the early church. The issue could have been avoided altogether if some would not have acted beyond what they were authorized to do in the first place (Acts 15:24). May this be a lesson for us all: sometimes we cause harm when we overstep our boundaries.

But God used this as a way to bring unity to His church, both in the first century and future generations. God has a way of taking the bad intentions and sinful actions of some and turning them for good. He did it for the believers in Antioch (Acts 15:24-28), and He can do it for you, too.

How has God used something that was bad in your life to bring about something good?