ACTS Bible Study Lesson # 9 God's Grace Acts 15:1-11 Join us online Thursdays @ 7:00 PM ET www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846 Call 301 715 8592 ID :903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846
God’s Grace
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One of the ways we resist change is by creating traditions. Thoughtful traditions bring stability to life, but they can also create a rigid environment where desperately needed change cannot occur. The Gentiles were turning to Christ by the scores, and it was clear they would soon outnumber the Jewish believers in the church. For some of these early Jewish Christians, the situation was getting out of hand. One way for them to cope with the situation was to insist that everyone had to accept the rules and culture of Judaism as part of the requirement before their faith in Christ would be recognized. But Paul and Barnabas insisted that such added regulations only complicated and undermined the gospel of Jesus Christ. Clearly, the stakes were high. So, the church leaders in Jerusalem decided to bring the matter of an official decision
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Lesson number nine in our Acts Bible (Acts 15: 1 21) study is about how God’s Grace can solve the most difficult of disputes.
3So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers.4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.” 6The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good
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 discuss this question with the apostles and the elders.
1Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Acts 15:1-21 The Council at Jerusalem New Revised Standard Version
12The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, 16‘ After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, 17 so that all other peoples may seek the Lord— even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things 18 known from long ago.’d 19Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication
3 news and become believers. 8 And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; 9and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. 10Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
4 and from whatever has been stranglede and from blood. 21 For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.” Bible Study Questions 1. What sparked controversy in the Gentile churches where Paul and Barnabas were serving? 2. How did the Gentile believes decided to resolve the 3.problem?Whatrequirements were the Jewish believers trying to impose on the Gentile believers? 4. How did Peter say that God has shown his acceptance of the Gentile believers? 5. Why did Peter accuse some of these Jewish believers of testing God?
5 6. What final statement did Peter make to the council about salvation? Reflection 7. How does the gracious attitude of Paul, Barnabas, and Peter challenge you? 8. What does it mean to extend God’s grace to others? 9. Why do you think it is difficult for some people to receive God’s acceptance by grace? 10. What traditions or practices have some Christians added to the gospel? 11. How can you determine whether the requirements for faith taught in your church has been established by God or by traditions. 12. How can you guard against expecting more of new Christians that God expects?
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Final Thoughts Some differences between Christians boil down to preferences. The early believers had to discover a way to settle these differences so that truthful and godly standards could remain by insignificant alternatives could be accepted. How do you react to Christian’s worship style is different from your own? Remember God’s gift of eternal life is free and for everybody, regardless of their color, race, gender, or sexual orientation. We need to have the same gracious attitude toward others that Jesus had.
SUNDAY SCHOOL E V E R Y S A T U R D A Y @ 4 : P M E T On Zoom www.zoom.us Meeting ID: 903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846 Call 301 715 8592 ID :903 988 1805 Passcode: 982846
