07 November 2021 (am) – Acts 15:1-35

Andy Bruins preaching from Acts on Sunday 7th November 2021.

Chapter 15 Deals with the first major controversy in the missionary endeavours of the church. The issue is over whether Gentile converts need to start keeping certain aspects of the Law of Moses. This is a huge issue because it has a profound impact on what the Gospel message actually is; Are we saved by Faith in Christ alone, or is more required?

Q Read v1-5. What’s the issue in the church in Antioch? Who are the group causing the problem and what do they want?
Q Why is this issue so important?
Q Read v6-21. How would you sum up the contributions from each of those who give evidence:
Peter (v7-11):
Paul and Barnabas (v12):
James (v13-18):
Q Read v22-35. What does this council in Jerusalem decide to do? On what authority do they make this decision? (note v28). Are these requirements something we should follow today? Why / why not?
Q Can you think of any modern day examples of things that we might decide to “abstain from” for the sake of the gospel?