Week 48: Acts 15- The Church and Gentiles

Acts 15 The Church and Gentiles

As a family, read Acts 15. Afterwards, share the following discussion.

What happened?

The church at Antioch was full of new Gentile believers. When men arrived from Judea, teaching that circumcision and following the Law of Moses was necessary to be saved, these new Christians were extremely disturbed. After confronting the Judean preachers, Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to discuss the issue with the apostles.

A council was convened in Jerusalem to hear all sides of the argument. Peter reasoned with the council that Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit the same way the Jewish believers had – by faith in Jesus. Salvation is a gift of grace, so why put an unnecessary burden on new believers? James agreed that adding circumcision and the Law of Moses to salvation made following Christ needlessly difficult.

Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch, carrying a letter with the council’s decision. Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Jerusalem Council asked the Gentiles to focus on three things as they lived out their new faith: stay away from anything related to idol worship, maintain sexual purity, and honor Jewish dietary customs. The church in Antioch was relieved and reassured by the message.

Why is this important to us today?

The Law of Moses and circumcision had been signs of the covenant God made with Israel, setting them apart from the idol-worshiping nations around them. It made them aware of sinful behavior that displeased God and taught them that no one could keep the law perfectly. It was intentionally designed to prepare God’s people for the Messiah. The Gentile converts in today’s passage didn’t have a history with the God of Israel; everything about this way of life was new to them. They had become followers of Christ by believing the simple message of the gospel: Jesus died, was buried, and rose again in payment for their sin.

The message of the Jerusalem Council is still encouraging today. God’s grace and love aren’t based on how well you follow the rules or meet religious expectations. No effort of your own gains favor with God. All believers are saved by grace through faith in Jesus.

Spend a few minutes talking about what you just read by answering these questions:

1. Name the three things the Gentile believers were asked to focus on, then answer the following questions:

1. Has something or someone become an idol, taking a higher place in your heart than Christ? If so, what?

2. What do you need to get rid of in order to live a morally pure life?

3. What should you give up because it offends fellow believers or weakens their faith?

 

How can we better follow God this week?

Have you accepted God’s free gift of salvation? Before continuing, take a moment and have the followers of Christ in your family take turns telling how they received Jesus as their personal Savior.

Our lives should demonstrate the difference that knowing Jesus makes. Like the church in Antioch, be encouraged that you live in the freedom of grace rather than under the burden of the law. Spend a few minutes together, thanking God for His gift of grace.