ACTS Chapter 15

Teacher: John M. Brown, Flatwoods church of Christ, Wednesday Bible Class, February 2004

I. THE MEETING AT JERUSALEM,vv. 1-35

  1. The occasion,vv. 1-5
  2. Certain men had come from Judea, teaching the necessity of circumcision for salvation.
  3. Paul and Barnabas disputed with them.
  4. They all determined to take this matter to Jerusalem.
  5. Paul and Barnabas passed through Phenice and Samaria declaring the conversion of the Gentiles (and causing much joy among the brethren) and all things that God had done.
  6. A certain sect of the Pharisees (though believers) continued to insist on keeping the Law of Moses (see also Colossians 2:14-17; Hebrews 8-10).
  1. The discussion and decision,vv. 6-35
  2. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
  1. Peter’s speech,vv. 6-11
  2. Peter reminds them of the happenings of Acts 10, and also tells them not to put a “yoke” (see Galatians 5:1) upon the Gentiles.
  3. Peter also reminds them that neither Gentile nor Jew perfectly kept the law.
  1. Paul and Barnabas speak, declaring the miracles and wonders God had done among the Gentiles, v. 12
  1. James speaks,vv. 13-21
  2. James also reminds the brethren of what God had done among the Gentilesthrough “Simeon” (Hebrews for “Simon” – that is, Peter).
  1. James quotes Amos 9:11-12 -the “tabernacle of David” is spiritual Israel (thatis, the church – see Galatians 6:16).
  2. James’ sentence (which is that of the Holy Spirit, see verse 28): do not troublethe Gentile converts with these matters.
  3. Regarding idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood: these prohibitionswerein effect before the Law Moses and during it (see Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:14).
  1. Letters were written with these instructions,vv. 22-29
  1. The letter is delivered to Antioch,vv. 30-35
  2. The reaction was rejoicing!
  3. The brethren were exhorted “with many words.”
  4. Silas, Paul, and Barnabas continued in Antioch,“teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.”

II. THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY COMMENCES, vv. 36-40

*NOTE: This “second missionary journey” will be described in Acts 15:36 through 18:22, and will take Paul and Silas through Europe, including Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth.

  1. Paul wanted Barnabas to go with him to visit brethren in every city were the “word of the Lord had been preached.”
  1. Barnabas insisted on taking Mark (John Mark, see Colossians 4:10).
  1. Paul did not want to take him because he had departed from them in Pamphylia (see Acts 13:13 – later, Mark did prove faithful! see Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11).
  1. So, Barnabas and Mark went to Cyprus, and Paul and Silas went to Syria and Cilicia.

NOTE: Some lessons to be learned from this disagreement between Barnabas and Paul:

  1. Good men can (and sometimes do) differ in matters of judgment.
  2. When good men differ in these areas, neither should seek to undermine theefforts of influence of the other.
  1. Care should always be taken that the work of God be not