Last week we ended with Paul and Barnabas at the Jerusalem council presenting their case of why the Gentiles need not become a Jew in order to become a Christian and Peter stands and addresses the brothers stating the We (Jews) shall be saved in the same manner as they (Gentiles). Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. This week we pick up in Chapter 15 verse 12, where Paul and Barnabas tell of their work among the Gentiles, supporting Peter’s claim that God is going a work among them.

Acts Lesson 24 Study Questions

1.    Then all the multitude kept silent and listened: This shows that even though there had been much dispute, these men were all of an __________ heart. They were willing to listen, and to be __________ if wrong. 

2.    After they had become silent: This is more evidence of the ___________ hearts of the men who had opposed Paul and Barnabas. They were willing to be ___________. They didn’t endlessly argue the issue and were willing to admit they were wrong.

3.    With this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: James judged this new ______ of God by the way any work of God should be judged. James looked to what is _________, to the Bible.

4.    Therefore I judge: This phrasing implies that James had a position of high __________ in the church. He was probably respected as the ________ or senior pastor of the church at Jerusalem.

5.    It pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church: Much credit goes to the _______ men of Acts 15:1, who allowed themselves to be convinced by the evidence from the Scriptures and by the _____________ of the Holy Spirit. They all agreed!

6.    They wrote this letter by them: The letter gives the express decision of the Jerusalem council, that Gentiles should consider themselves under no ___________ to the rituals of Judaism, except the sensitivity which love demands, so as to _________ the fellowship of Jewish and Gentile believers.

7.    it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us. “They boldly treat the Holy Spirit as one of their ________ – a fellow-counselor, who unites with them in the announcement of a joint conclusion; as though he, the Spirit of God, had _____ with them in their deliberations.” (Pierson)

8.    When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement: How relieved they were to see that the principle of _______ had been preserved! They heard that they were saved and _______ with God after all.

9.    Let us now go back and visit our brethren: Paul did much pioneer evangelism, where he preached in places where there was yet no _________ community. Yet, he also understood the importance of strengthening and ____________ those who were already Christians. That was the initial motivation for this second missionary venture.

10.    Barnabas was determined… But Paul insisted: Luke did not give us a clue as to who was right and who was wrong in the dispute between Paul and Barnabas. But it is never good when _________ disputes flare up among those serving in the _________.

11.    It is hard to know if their personal relationship was strained for a prolonged period. As Christians, we are commanded to ________ relationship problems with others before we present ministry to God (Matthew 5:23-24). It is always wrong to step over people in the name of ministry, and when it happens it must be made ______.