Acts 15:1-35
ACTS STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
In Acts 15:1-35 Paul and Barnabas return to Jerusalem to defend the gospel. What stood out to you in the text and in our study this week?
What is the Judaizers' primary argument according to Acts 15:1 and 5? What is at stake in this disagreement? What does Acts 15:6 tell us about the importance of this moment?
According to Acts 15:8-11, 19, and 28, what do Peter and James say in response to the argument of the Judaizers? What do Peter and James call circumcision and law-keeping in those verses? Why is keeping the whole law burdensome? How is Jesus’ yoke (i.e., Matt 11:28-30) different from the yoke of law-keeping, and what hope and encouragement does his yoke give you?
What is the reaction of the believers in Antioch to the verdict of the Jerusalem council (i.e., Acts 15:31)? What does that tell us about the beauty of the gospel and the longing of our hearts?
If we reject the good news of God’s grace in Jesus, what does Peter say we are also doing according to Acts 15:10a, and what does this mean? What is Peter emphasizing in Acts 15:8-9 and how does it contrast with external religious performance?
What does the unanimous agreement of Paul, Barnabas, Peter, and James tell us about the message of the gospel and the power of the gospel? Who else agrees, according to James in Acts 15:15? Why is this so significant? How does all of this encourage and help you?
What is James appealing to in Acts 15:15 to make his case for salvation by grace for everyone who repents and believes, and how is that instructive for us as we reconcile conflict and make a case for Christ? What other themes emerge from Acts 15:1-35 that are helpful as we work through disagreements?
In Acts 15:19-20 and 28-29, James offers his judgment that the Jews should place no extra burden on the Gentiles for salvation and simultaneously, that the Gentiles should respect the consciences of their Jewish brothers and sisters. If the gospel reconciles us to God, what is James also arguing in these verses? What similarities do you observe in Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:11-22, Romans 14, and 1 Corinthians 8:9-11?
What can we learn from the unity of the brothers in the Jerusalem council? How does their example encourage or convict you? What will you take away and apply from our study?
