The Council at Jerusalem - Acts 15:1-21
Understand It
- Who came to Antioch? Why? (15:1)
- What were the men from Judea teaching the Christians? (15:1)
- On what did the men of Judea base their theology? (15:1)
- How did Paul and Barnabas respond to the teaching problem at Antioch? (15:2)
- How did the apostles determine to resolve the problem in Antioch? (15:2)
- What were the apostles’ experiences on their way to Jerusalem? (15:3)
- When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem, how did the church receive them? (15:4)
- What did the believing Pharisees say? (15:5)
- How did the church leaders respond to the Pharisees? (15:6)
- What did Peter say to the party of the Pharisees? (15:7-11)
- What did Paul and Barnabas add to Peter’s testimony? (15:12)
- How did James summarize his views? (15:13-21)
- How did James deal with the circumcision question from a biblical standpoint? (15:15-18)
- What practical judgment did James make? (15:19-21)
- What did James mean by his concluding statement? (15:21)
Apply It
- Where can you get help resolving an issue about which you are unsure?
- This week, what change in your schedule can you make to allow enough time for studying God’s Word?
The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers - Acts 15:22-35
Understand It
- Who went to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas? (15:22)
- Why did the men go to Antioch? (15:23)
- In whose name was the letter to Gentile believers sent? (15:23)
- To whom was the letter addressed? (15:23)
- What was the letter to Gentile believers about? (15:24-29)
- What was the tone of the letter? (15:24-29)
- How did the letter confirm the findings of the council? (15:24-29)
- How was the letter delivered? (15:30)
- How did the Christians in Antioch respond to the message from Jerusalem? (15:31)
- How did Judas and Silas help the Christians in Antioch? (15:32)
- When Judas and Silas left for Jerusalem, what kind of send-off were they given? (15:33)
- What did Paul and Barnabas do in Antioch? (15:35)
Apply It
- What difficult relationship should you improve this week for the sake of Christ? How?
- When can you spend time with other Christians who are ethnically different from you?
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas - Acts 15:36-41
Understand It
- What did Paul suggest to Barnabas? (15:36)
- What did Barnabas want to do? (15:37)
- Why might Barnabas have wanted to take John Mark with him? (15:37)
- Why didn’t Paul want Mark to accompany the apostles on their trip? (15:38)
- Whom did Barnabas take with him when he went to Cyprus? (15:39)
- What did the apostles do about their difference of opinion? (15:39-40)
- How did both men reach a solution? (15:39-40)
- Whom did Paul select as a traveling companion in ministry? (15:40)
- As a result of the separation between Barnabas and Paul, how many missionary expeditions set out? (15:39-40)
- What did Paul and Silas do on their journey? (15:41)
Apply It
- What step can you take toward resolving an old disagreement with another Christian? When?
- Where can you channel your anger or hurt feelings when they become a problem? How?
