Study From the Book of Acts,15

Study From the Book of Acts,15

Today we study the fifteenth chapter of the Book of Acts and we choose two biblical principles and their lessons which are useful in Biblical Counselling.

Later, those who taught the need for circumcision among new believers were known as Judaizers. They wanted the Christian faith to become a sect of Judaism. In other words, they wanted Gentile believers to become Jewish proselytes. As proselytes, the Gentile believers would need to be circumcised as a sign of coming into the covenant of God among the Jews. So, is salvation granted through faith alone? Or does a person have faith plus the works of the law in order to be forgiven by God?

So, the Jerusalem council met to discuss this crucial issue. Peter stood up and declared that the eternal truth is that we are saved through faith by grace alone. The emphasis in the Book of Acts now moves from Peter to Paul, from the presentation of the gospel message among the Jews to its presentation to the Gentiles.

Paul and Barnabas reported what God was doing in changing the lives of Gentiles with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their testimony at this council was critical.

While the testimony of Peter, Barnabas, and Paul was important for the council in making their decision, something more than the experience of the Gentiles had to be taken into consideration. The council needed to know what the Word of God said. James pointed out that what was happening among the Gentiles was in full agreement with the OT (Amos 9:11).

In view of that James suggested that a letter be drafted that alleviated Jewish requirement for Gentiles who placed their trust in Jesus. James mentioned four issues should be forbidden: eating food offered to idols, sexual immorality, eating food from animal that had been strangled, and eating food with blood. Since the Gentile believers would learn more and more about the Scripture, the Spirit of God would cultivate godly convections in their hearts.

Paul was adamant that John Mark not accompany him on his impending journey. Earlier John Mark had deserted Paul and Barnabas in Pamphylia. It is interesting to note that John Mark was reconciled to Paul, who when he was in prison, wrote, “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry” 2 Tim. 4:11. There was a heated argument between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark’s usefulness to them. So, Barnabas left with John Mark and sailed to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, went through Syria and Cicilia strengthened the churches.

Structure:

Verses 1-5: conflict over circumcision.

Verses 6-21: the Jerusalem council

Verses 22-29: the Jerusalem decree.

Verses 30--35: continuing ministry in Syria.

Verses 36-41: division over John Mark.

Principle 29: 15:11 --“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

Lesson 29: A wealthy woman once objected to being saved in the same way as her poor servant. “You do not have to be saved at all,” came the reply, “but if you ever are saved, it will be in the same way as anyone else.”

Principle 30: verse 15:39: ----” Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another.”

Lesson 30: Even mature, godly believers can have big disagreements that lead to a parting of the ways. Yet God used the split between Paul and Barnabas to send out two missionary teams instead of one.18/5/2025.