West End Church of Christ
1350 Bradford Hicks Drive
Livingston. Tennessee 38570

A very large congregation had a major division.  Over two hundred people started a rebellion against the leaders of the congregation.  The leaders of the congregation had not been perfect men, but they were faithful, and they were leaders by God's appointment.  They did not always use the best judgement, but they did their best for the cause of God.  These leaders had not harmed the people in the congregation.  However, a large group of men said that these leaders had overstepped their authority.  These men were very well known in the congregation.  This group gathered together and confronted the leaders, saying they had abused their authority as leaders of the congregation. 

     Which side was right in this division? Here are some ways people might respond to this situation:

• "Both sides are equally to blame."
• "Both sides had people who had committed sins, so neither side was right."
• "The leaders were in the wrong.  Over two hundred people would not be so upset unless the leaders had done something wrong."
• "We talked to some of the people in this large group before the division, and we believe the leaders did wrong.  There was no need to talk to the leaders since we had the facts."
• "The leaders should humble themselves and apologize to the congregation."
• "God doesn't approve of either side.  Both sides should just forgive each other."
• "Nobody can really know who was right and who was wrong in this division."
• "Division is wrong.  We need to quit talking about what happened and just love each other."

   If you want to know the real answer to the question you will need to read Numbers 16.   The accused leaders were Moses and Aaron, and their accusers died when the earth swallowed them and the fire of God consumed them!

Kerry