One of the great issues in this conflict was circumcision. This was not a human institution (contrast Matt. 15:2, Matt. 15:9). Rather, it had been commanded by God Himself as a sign of His covenant with Abraham’s descendants as His chosen people (Gen. 17:9-14). Read Exodus 12:43-49. In addition to born Israelites, who else was supposed to be circumcised? The … Continue reading –>
From the beginning, the church at Antioch consisted of both (Hellenistic) Jews and uncircumcised Gentiles (Acts 11:19-21, Gal. 2:11-13) who apparently lived in peaceful fellowship with each other. That fellowship, however, was shattered by the arrival of a group of believers from Jerusalem. Read Acts 15:1-5. What was the problem the church was facing? Traditionally called Judaizers, those individuals … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 15; Gal. 2:11-13; Exod. 12:43-49; Rom. 3:30; Lev. 18:30; Rev. 2:14, Rev. 2:20. Memory Text: “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are“ (Acts 15:11, NIV). After more than two years, Paul and Barnabas returned to Syrian Antioch. Because the whole church there had been involved in … Continue reading –>
Further Study: “During the life of Christ on earth he had sought to lead the Jews out of their exclusiveness. The conversion of the centurion and of the Syrophenician woman, were instances of his direct work outside of the acknowledged people of Israel. The time had now come for active and continued work among the Gentiles, … Continue reading –>
The next place Paul and Barnabas visited was Lystra, an obscure village some eighteen miles (about 29 km) southwest of Iconium. Though they spent some time there (Acts 14:6-7, Acts 14:15), Luke reports only one story and its developments: the healing of a lame man, probably a beggar, who suffered from that malady from birth. Read Acts 14:5-19. … Continue reading –>
Under the instigation of the Jewish leaders in Antioch, the local authorities incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town (Acts 13:50). The disciples, however, were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52). The missionaries then headed to the city of Iconium. Read Acts 14:1-7. What was the result of Paul … Continue reading –>
Acts 13:38-39, presents the issue of the law’s inability to justify, an important doctrinal concept. Despite the binding character of its moral commandments, the law is unable to bring justification because it cannot produce perfect obedience in those who observe it (Acts 15:10, Rom. 8:3). Even if the law could produce perfect obedience in us, that perfect … Continue reading –>
From Cyprus, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga, in Pamphylia, on the southern coast of modern Turkey. Before they moved on to Pisidian Antioch, Luke reports two significant incidental changes: Paul becomes the leading figure (up until here, Barnabas is always mentioned first) and Luke stops using Paul’s Jewish name (“Saul”) and starts referring … Continue reading –>
In Acts Chapter 13, Luke shifts the scene back to Antioch in order to introduce Paul’s first missionary journey, which occupies two entire chapters (Acts Chapter 13, 14). From here through the end of the book, the focus is set on Paul and his Gentile missions. This is the first missionary endeavor in Acts that is … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 13, 2 Cor. 4:7-10, Rom. 10:1-4, Rom. 3:19, Acts 14:1-26, Romans 9-11. Memory Text: ”Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through [H]im everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law … Continue reading –>
