Acts 15:1-21
What were some of the expected, extra-biblical rules you were supposed to follow in the church where you grew up? When you became a Christian?
The Jerusalem Council
1But some men came down
from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless
you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you
cannot be saved.” 2And after Paul and
Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and
Barnabas and some of the others were appointed
to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the
elders about this question. 3So, being sent on their
way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia
and
Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the
Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.a 4When
they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed
by
the church and the apostles and the
elders, and they declared all that God had done
with them. 5But some believers who
belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said,
“It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the
law of Moses.”
6The
apostles and the elders were gathered
together to consider this matter. 7And after there had been much
debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know
that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by
my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and
believe. 8And God, who
knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy
Spirit just as he did to us, 9and he made no
distinction between us and them, having cleansed
their hearts by faith. 10Now, therefore, why are
you putting God to the test by placing
a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our
fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11But we believe
that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as
they will.”
12And all the assembly fell
silent, and they listened to Barnabas
and Paul as they related what signs
and wonders God had done through them among the
Gentiles. 13After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14Simeon has related how God first
visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people
for his name. 15And with
this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16“‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17that the remnantb of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18known from of old.’
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17that the remnantb of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18known from of old.’
19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those
of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20but should write to them to abstain
from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has
been strangled, and from blood. 21For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim
him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- What other things would these teachers say the Gentiles must do (vv. 1, 5 see Mark 2:16, 18, 24; 7:1-5)?
- If you were a Gentile hearing that these regulations were required, how would you feel about your new faith? As a strict Jew, why would these rules be important to you?
- What is the main issue as Paul sees it (vv. 1-2; see Galatians 2:21; 3:5,10-14)?
- How would you describe Peter's struggle with this issue (w. 7-11; see 10:28, 34-35; Galatians 2:11-13)? How does Paul's teaching in Galatians 2:15-16 show its influence on Peter here?
- Knowing Paul's Pharisaic background according to Acts 26:5 and Peter's desire to keep the law according to Acts 10:14, how would their testimony carry the day?
- What has led James to change his mind?
- What is the significance of the council's decision in light of 1:8? Why were the conditions of verse 20 added? Consider 1 Corinthians 8
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What roles do experience, theology and practical considerations play in the decision making process of this council?
- Is there some area of your faith where you feel like Peter going back and forth because you are not sure of what is right? How could verse 11 relate to this concern?
- What additions to the Gospel might a new believer encounter in the church today? What should you do about that?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
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