SCRIPTURE: ACTS 15
Bible Verses:
“ No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” (Acts 15:11)
“ You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
(Acts 15:29)
THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM (vs. 1-21)
The legalists from Judea visited the Antioch church and taught that Gentiles must follow Jewish laws before they can be Christians. This is in contrast to their teaching that salvation is by grace through faith.
Paul and Barnabas told them what the Word said about the Gentiles. In its decision, the church asked the Gentiles not to offend the Jews by abstaining food sacrificed to idols; from blood; from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.
DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN PAUL AND BARNABAS (vs. 36-41)
Paul and Barnabas wanted to go back and visit the brothers in all town. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark but Paul refused because John had deserted them in Pamphylia. There was a sharp disagreement that set them apart. Barnabas took John Mark and sailed to Cyprus while Paul chose Silas and left for Syria and Cilicia.
THOUGHT:
The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas caused them to form two teams. God works through conflict and disagreements. Christians do not always agree but problem can be solved by agreeing to disagree and let God work out his plan.[:]