May 7, 2017
Unit 2, Study 10
Study Texts: Acts 15:1-16:5
Paul’s Journeys: Acts Part 2

 Overview: We are studying the ministry of the apostle Paul over the
next six weeks
 We began with the Spirit’s call to missionary service during Paul’s
pastoral ministry in the church at Antioch, Syria
 Last week we followed Paul as he took the gospel to Asia (Turkey)
 Today’s Study examines a theme throughout the New Testament, the
conflict that arose about whether or not Gentile believers had to
become converts to Judaism, and how the church dealt with the issue.
 Study 11 follows Paul as they venture into Europe at the leading of the
Spirit, and both the successes and opposition they encountered.
 Study 12 explores the founding of the churches in Corinth and Ephesus
 The final study concludes the Book of Acts, and we will examine the
account of Paul’s imprisonment and ultimate journey to Rome
Area of the Book of Acts

Paul’s 1st Missionary
Journey

Gentile Believers Accepted

 Key Verse: Galatians 3:8
 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen
through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying,
In thee shall all nations be blessed. (KJV)

8 Scripture
foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and
announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be
blessed through you.”[a] (NIV)
[a] Gen.
12:3; 18:18; 22:18
 Focus: To be grateful to God that the gospel is for all people, and
endeavor to make it known to all
 Central Truth: Salvation for all is by grace, through faith in Christ.
Controversy Over Gentile
Believers Acts 15:1-5 (NIV)

 Unsettling Teaching
 15 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were
teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according
to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 This
brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with
them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some
other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and
elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way,
and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told
how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the
believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were
welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom
they reported everything God had done through them.
 5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the
Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised
and required to keep the law of Moses.”
Controversy Over Gentile
Believers Acts 15:1-5 (NIV)

 God had done a mighty work among the Gentiles through
Peter, and now Paul & Barnabas (Acts 10:1-48; 11:22-26;
13:14-52; 14:1-28)
 Some, however, were not happy about how the Gentiles
were being accepted into the church (v 1)
 They were Pharisees who had become Christians (v 5)
 They may have claimed authority from the Jerusalem
church, implied in Acts 15:24
 Their insistence on circumcision and obedience to the law
raised questions for the church to address (v 2-4)
Controversy Over Gentile
Believers Acts 15:1-5 (NIV)

 Why would these Jewish believers in Christ feel that
Gentiles needed to be circumcised and obey the Law?
 They may have believed that if Gentile believers wanted all
the benefits of salvation, and to become part of God’s chosen
people, they must first become proselytes to Judaism.
 Circumcision was the sign that a Jewish male was in
covenant relationship with God (Genesis 17:9-14)
 Obeying the Mosaic law was the other sign that a person
belonged to God’s chosen people
 Circumcision and the Mosaic law had been bedrock of
Jewish identity for almost 2000 years.
Controversy Over Gentile
Believers Acts 15:1-5 (NIV)

 What is the theological significance of the request by
these believers from Judaea?
 This teaching indicates that the death, burial, and
resurrection of Jesus in and of itself was not sufficient to
provide salvation for all people
 Similarly, religious beliefs that indicate a person must do
something external to earn salvation negate what Jesus did
on the cross
 How should we respond to false teaching that deny the
atonement and salvation it provides?
 We understand Salvation comes by grace through faith
(Ephesians 2:8-9). The Pharisees in Jerusalem had trouble
with that, not understanding the full impact of what Christ’s
sacrifice on the cross had accomplished (v 5)
Controversy Over Gentile
Believers Acts 15:6-12 (NIV)

 Powerful Testimony
 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After
much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers,
you know that some time ago God made a choice among you
that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the
gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he
accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did
to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he
purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test
God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we
nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is
through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as
they are.”
 12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to
Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had
done among the Gentiles through them.
Controversy Over Gentile
Believers Acts 15:6-12 (NIV)

 When Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem, they first met
with the whole church (v 4) and then with the apostles and
elders (v 6), now known as the Council of Jerusalem
 The decision of this Council would affect how Gentiles
would be viewed with regard to faith in Christ
 The discussion and disputing indicated the division
caused by this issue (v 7)
 MSG: “The arguments went on and on, back and forth,
getting more and more heated”
 Peter rose up to address the issue
Controversy Over Gentile
Believers Acts 15:6-12 (NIV)

 In what ways was Peter’s speech pivotal in resolving this
issue?
 Peter gives a brief account of his ministry at Cornelius’ house
10 years earlier (v 8, Acts 10:15, 28, 34, 44-47)
 He had already defended himself before the elders (Acts
11:12, 15-18)
 He emphasized the fact that the Gentiles had received the
Holy Spirit the same way the 120 did on the Day of
Pentecost, with speaking in Tongues
 This was proof that God had saved them because of their
faith in Him, not because of circumcision and obeying the
Law (v 9)
Controversy Over Gentile
Believers Acts 15:6-12 (NIV)

 In what ways was Peter’s speech pivotal in resolving this
issue?
 Peter then charges them with serious implications (v 10)
 Tempting God meant these Pharisees had rejected what God
had done in these Gentiles, and implied they were also
rejecting God’s salvation that came by grace through faith (v
11) Peter makes it clear that a relationship with God comes
only through Jesus Christ
 Peter presented the theological aspect of the issues and had
an obvious effect on the council (v 12)
 The entire assembly was silent as they listened to Barnabas
and Paul’s speeches providing practical examples of how
this had taken place in their ministry (v 12)
Decided by the Word and
Spirit Acts 15:13-21 (NIV)

 Divine Wisdom

13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to
me. 14 Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a
for his name from the Gentiles. 15 The words of the prophets [a] are in
people
agreement with this, as it is written:
 16 “‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tents, Its ruins I will
rebuild, and I will restore it, 17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name, the Lord, who does these things’
[b] —18 things known from long ago
 19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the
Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling
them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the
meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been
preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on
every Sabbath.”
[a] Plural – He only quotes one scripture but could have used others
[b] Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
Decided by the Word and
Spirit Acts 15:13-21 (NIV)

 What is the best way to resolve theological issues in the church?
 When Peter, Barnabas and Paul ended their arguments (v 13),
James, Jesus’ brother, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, rose to
respond
 First, James validated Peter’s message (v 14)
 Next he quoted Amos 9:11-12 from the Greek (Septuagint) – God
had always intended to bring the Gentiles into His family (v 17),
God will give the covenant status of Israel to the Gentiles, without
circumcision and obedience to the Law. David’s restored temple
will include all Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Christ as
Savior by faith
 He draws the conclusion “that we not trouble those from among
the Gentiles who are turning to God” (v 19)- as in laying on the
requirement of Circumcision and obedience to the Law.
 There were, however four requirement for these new Gentile
Christians (v 20)
Decided by the Word and
Spirit Acts 15:13-21 (NIV)

 What were the four requirements?
 Abstain from food polluted by idols
 Abstain from sexual immorality, (Fornication-KJV)
 Abstain from the meat of strangled animals
 Abstain from (eating) blood
 Why were these requirements important?
 Make a complete break with idolatry (Exodus 20:3, 34:15-16)
 Sexual immorality refers to all sexual sin-fornication, adultery,
prostitution, homosexuality. Sexual sin was prominent in Greek culture,
especially with temple prostitution, much like it is in our culture today
 Eating blood- The life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11), and God prohibits
anyone from eating it (Leviticus 3:17; 7:26-27; 17:10-14; Deuteronomy
12:23)
 What instructions are we to give new believers?
 We often give new believers a list of requirements for holiness
 We should gently guide new believers into allowing God’s Word and the
Holy Spirit o speak to them about holy living, (Galatians 5:16)
Decided by the Word and
Spirit Acts 15:22-29 (NIV)

 Just Decision

22 Then
the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose
some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas.
They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among
the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:
 The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization
and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all
agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends
Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to
confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the
Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the
following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to
idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual
immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
Decided by the Word and
Spirit Acts 15:22-29 (NIV)

 Just Decision
 The apostles, elders, and the whole church approve James’s decision (v
22)
 The decision had to be made known to the church world, starting with
Antioch
 Paul and Barnabas are sent out with a letter to the churches with 2 Jewish
leaders to accompany them
 Why was it important that two Jewish leaders accompany Paul and
Barnabas?
 Choosing Jewish leaders was important, because those who claimed
they had the authority from Jerusalem had caused turmoil at Antioch
(v 24)
 Paul & Barnabas could not be accused of twisting the church’s decision
 The letter pointed to the unity in the Jerusalem church regarding the
decision (v 23-25)
 It made the point that it was the Holy Spirit and the church leaders
who made the decision (v 28)
Decided by the Word and
Spirit Acts 15:22-29 (NIV)

Do all of the requirements of Acts 15:28-29 apply
to Gentile Christians today? Explain?
How does the Jerusalem Council’s requirement
to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols compare
with Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians in
1 Corinthians 8:1-13?
Gentile Believers Rejoice
Acts 15:30-35 (NIV)

Further Teaching

30 So
the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where
they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The
people read it and were glad for its encouraging
message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said
much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After
spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers
with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent
them. [34] [a] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch,
where they and many others taught and preached the word of
the Lord.
[a] Some
manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.
Resolving Disagreements

How might the church today resolve
disagreements?
appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you
say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be
perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV)
 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the
bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 (NIV)
 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the
same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out
of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but
each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:2-4 (NIV)

10 I
Personal Conflict Arises
Acts 15:36-39 (NIV)

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let
us go back and visit the believers in all the
towns where we preached the word of the
Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas
wanted to take John, also called Mark, with
them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take
him, because he had deserted them in
Pamphylia and had not continued with them
in the work. 39 They had such a sharp
disagreement that they parted company.
Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
Who Was John Mark?

 Author of the Gospel of Mark, thought to be the first written Gospel
A.D. 55-65
 Mark’s mother, Mary, had a large house used as a meeting place for
believers in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12)
 Barnabas was Mark’s Cousin (Colossians 4:10)
 He had a close association with Peter (1 Peter 5:13) lending apostolic
authority to Mark’s gospel
 He was thought to have been at the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of
Gethsemane (Mark 14:51-52)
 He returned with Barnabas and Saul when they returned from
Jerusalem to Antioch, Syria (Acts 12:25),
 He traveled with them on the first Missionary Journey (Acts 13:5)
 He left early and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13) setting up this
sharp disagreement about taking him on the Second Missionary
Journey (Acts 15:36-41)
Paul’s Ministry Continues
Acts 15:40-41; 16:4-5 (NIV)

Further Ministry
15:40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended
by the believers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He
went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening
the churches.
16:4 As they traveled from town to town, they
delivered the decisions reached by the apostles
and elders in Jerusalem for the people to
obey.5 So the churches were strengthened in
the faith and grew daily in numbers.
Paul’s Ministry Continues
Acts 15:40-41; 16:4-5 (NIV)

Further Ministry
 Paul & Barnabas could agree on the issues
concerning Gentile believers, but had a sharp
disagreement about taking John Mark with
them on their next missionary journey
 John Mark had deserted them and returned to
Jerusalem in the middle of their first missionary
journey (Acts 15:36-39)
Barnabas took Mark and returned to Cyprus,
while Paul took Silas and departed through
Syria and Cilicia (v 40-41)
Paul’s Ministry Continues
Acts 15:40-41; 16:4-5 (NIV)

Why was Silas a good choice as Paul’s
Missionary companion?
 Silas was a Jew and a Roman citizen, with a
concern for the Gentiles
 This would be important as they would minister to
mostly Gentile churches
 Paul and Silas had 2 main goals in this second
missionary endeavor:
 Visit established churches and strengthen them (v
41)
 Present the decrees from the apostles and elders in
Jerusalem ( Acts 16:4-5)
Paul’s 1st Missionary
Journey

Practical Application

 Accepting people who speak different languages, wear
different clothing, have different socioeconomic status, and
different cultural values is not always easy
 Challenges to our theological and Biblical thinking can cause
division in a church, as we saw in todays lesson
 Think about some situations in our church and community
where we can apply the principles from this week’s study. The
Gospel is for all people, even those who ae different from us
 Allow the Holy Spirit to open our hearts to those who might be
difficult to love and accept, those who are different from us
 Let’s pray and ask the Holy Spirit to teach us about reaching
out to them with the gospel
Acknowledgements

 Material adapted from
Radiant Life: Adult Teacher Guide
Mar-Apr-May 2017 Unit 1, The Era of the Judges
Volume 91 Number 3
Gospel Publishing House, Springfield, MO 65802
@2017 ISSN 1059-3233
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible,
New International version @, NIV, Copyright 1973 Used by permission of
Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
All Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are taken from the King James Version of the
bible.
May 14, 2017
Unit 2, Study 11
Study Texts: Acts 16:6-17:15