Click Arrow To Start Audio
ACTS: LESSON 13
XIII. DISCUSSION IN JERUSALEM CONCERNING NECESSITY OF CIRCUMCISION (15:1-
A. Men from Judea teach the necessity of Gentile believers being circumcised and keeping the Law of Moses in order to be saved (15:1-
1. Paul and Barnabas earnestly confront the teaching.
2. It is determined that Paul, Barnabas, and company to go to apostles and elders in Jerusalem (cf. Gal.2:2).
3. Paul and Barnabas tell of conversion of Gentiles as they journey to Jerusalem.
4. Paul and company received by apostles, elders and church.
5. Believers from sect of Pharisees are the authors of the troubling teaching.
B. Apostles, elders and church gather for discussion (15:6-
1. Peter reminds brethren of God's work among the Gentiles through him -
2. Barnabas and Paul rehearse miracles God did among the Gentiles through them (v.12).
3. James applies conversion of Gentiles to fulfillment of Amos 9:11 (v.13-
a. Judges that letter be sent to believing Gentiles because of the many that hold to the Law of Moses.
C. Apostles, elders and church unite to choose men to travel with Paul and Barnabas with constructed letter (15:22-
1. Judas and Silas chosen.
2. contents of letter:
a. No commandment had been given to the false teachers.
b. Judas and Silas chosen with one accord to accompany and speak.
c. Holy Spirit demands:
(1) Abstain from things sacrificed to idols.
(2) Abstain from blood
(3) Abstain from things strangled.
(4) Abstain from fornication.
D. Letter delivered to Gentiles in Antioch -
1. Paul, Barnabas, Silas and others tarry to teach and preach.
QUESTIONS:
1. The troubling teaching in Antioch was that:
(a) Gentile believers must be circumcised in order to be saved.
(b) Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved.
(c) Only the Jews had the right to be baptized and be saved.
2. Why did the brethren in Antioch determine to send to Jerusalem for answers to this questionable teaching when the inspired apostle Paul was among them?
3. According to Peter, how was this teaching "making trial of God"?
4. What part of their work did Paul and Barnabas rehearse before the brethren?
5. According to James, when was the tabernacle of David rebuilt?
6. How did Peter, Paul and Barnabas and James show that God was behind the acceptance of the Gentiles by faith just like he accepts the Jews?
7. Why was a letter needed outlining certain things from which the Gentiles were to abstain?
8. The contents of the letter was authored by:
(a) James
(b) The Apostles, elders and church
(c) The Holy Spirit
(d) Paul and Barnabas
9. Who were chosen to accompany Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch with the letter?
10. What effect did the letter have on the Gentiles in Antioch?
11. Who tarried in Antioch to teach and preach after the letter was received?
12. Apply the principles of Acts 15 to solving religious division today
ACTS: LESSON 14
XIV. PAUL'S SECOND PREACHING TOUR -
A. Paul desires to return to cities to see how the brethren fare (15:36-
1. Paul and Barnabas contend sharply over taking John Mark.
2. Barnabas and John Mark go to Cyprus.
3. Paul and Silas go through SYRIA and CILICIA.
B. Paul strengthens churches in DERBE and LYSTRA (16:1-
1. In Lystra Timothy is circumcised -
2. Decrees from apostles and elders in Jerusalem delivered.
3. Churches increase in number daily.
C. Paul journeys through PHRYGIA and GALATIA unto MYSIA and TROAS (16:6-
1. Holy Spirit does not allow Paul to preach in Asia or Bithynia.
D. Paul sees vision of man of Macedonia seeking Paul's help (16:8-
1. Paul concludes that God has called group to preach to Macedonians.
E. Paul and group sails from TROAS to Macedonia (16:11-
1. Land first in SAMOTHRACE.
2. NEAPOLIS the next day.
3. From Neapolice they journey to PHILIPPI.
F. Lydia and her household are converted to the Lord in Philippi (16:13-
G. Paul and Silas scourged and imprisoned over casting out a spirit of divinition (16:16-
H. Jailor and family are baptized and rejoice in having believed in God (16:25-
I. Paul demands that magistrates come release them and after entering Lydia's house they depart (16:35-
QUESTIONS:
1. What caused sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas to start the second preaching tour?
2. Who joined Paul on his second journey? Where did Barnabas and Mark go?
3. Why was Timothy circumcised?
4. What did Paul deliver unto the churches?
5. "So the churches were ________________ in the _________, and ____________ in number __________."
6. Who did not allow Paul to preach in Asia and Bithynia? Why?
7. What was the meaning of Paul's vision in Troas?
8. Who joined Paul, Silas and Timothy when they sailed from Troas?
9. In Philippi, Paul went to the synagogue on the sabbath to preach. (T) (F)
10. What was Lydia's occupation?
11. What did God do to Lydia's heart?
12. What did Lydia do that showed she was "faithful to the Lord"?
13. What is "a spirit of divination"?
14. Why was Paul and Silas put in prison?
15. In the jailor's conversion, is baptism part of saving faith?
16. Are Lydia's household, and the jailor's house examples of infant baptism? Explain your answer.
17. Why did Paul want the magistrates to release him?
18. With a solid line trace part one of Paul's second journey