JORAS - Nigerian Journal of Religion and Society

Cultural, racial, social, and religious con?icts abound across societies. This paper analyses the con?ict that arose in the early Jerusalem church, as described in Acts 6:1-7, to identify effective strategies for peacebuilding. Using a literary analysis approach, the study examines the underlying issues and causes of the con?ict, which arose from the unequal distribution of resources among the Hellenistic and Hebraic believers. The ?ndings reveal that the Apostles' response to the crisis was crucial in resolving the con?ict. Rather than addressing the issue through the lens of culture or race, the Apostles employed an inclusive approach that involved collective decision-making and the delegation of responsibilities to address the needs of all parties. This strategy prevented the con?ict from escalating and provided a model for peacebuilding in similar situations. The paper argues that the Apostles' approach transcended cultural and racial divides, and offers valuable insights for contemporary efforts to build peace in con?ict-ridden societies. The passage from Acts 6 demonstrates the possibility of constructive con?ict resolution by prioritizing inclusive and collaborative problem-solving over divisive identity-based frameworks, even in the face of deep-seated differences.

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