Conflict Resolution Beyond Identity: Insights on Peacebuilding from Acts 6:1-7

Abstract

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.