Further Study: “The Jewish converts generally were not inclined to move as rapidly as the providence of God opened the way. From the result of the apostles’ labors among the Gentiles it was evident that the converts among the latter people would far exceed the Jewish converts in number. The Jews feared that if the restrictions … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 15:22-29. What additional measures were taken by the Jerusalem church concerning the council’s decision? The first measure was to write a letter to the Gentile believers in order to inform them of what had been decided. The letter, written in the name of the apostles and elders of Jerusalem, was an official document that … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 15:28-29. What four prohibitions did the council decide to impose on Gentile converts? The main issue for which the council had been convened was satisfactorily resolved. Because salvation is by grace, believing Gentiles were exempted from circumcision when they joined the church. Yet, they should abstain from four things: (1) meat offered in sacrifice … Continue reading –>
Read Acts 15:7-11. What was Peter’s contribution to the debate in Jerusalem? Luke, of course, does not report all the proceedings of the meeting. It would be interesting to know, for example, the supporting arguments of the Judaizers (Acts 15:5), as well as Paul’s and Barnabas’s responses (Acts 15:12). The fact that we have only Peter’s and James’s … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: We should always strive to keep in step with Christ to fulfill His will. Egos must be put aside for the sake of the Spirit’s saving activity. Lesson 8, August 25, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 15:1-5. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in … Continue reading –>
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 –>
