Study 30. Acts 15:22-35

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Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe were all in the province of Galatia—these were the churches who later received Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
 
1. Why does Luke repeat in v.22-29 information already given in v.19-21?
  • To record that the decision of the council was accurately recorded in writing and passed on
  • Because of the importance of the matter for the church at large. 
 
2. What steps do the apostles and the elders take to ensure that the decision of the council is well-communicated and that the Gentile Christians are reassured?
  • They chose ‘leading men’ individuals from Jerusalem to follow Paul and Barnabas with a letter to affirm its contents (v.22-23, 25, 27). The personal touch
  • They called the Gentile Christians "brothers" (v.23)
  • They acknowleged that the Gentiles had been "troubled" and their minds "uinsettled"
  • They assured the Gentiles that those troubling and unsettling them did not have the authority of the Jerusalem church. (v.24)
  • They affirmed the character and contributions of Barnabas and Paul (v.25-26). There was unity. 
 
3. What can we learn about the description of the council's decision making process in v.28?
" it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us"
This implies a certain confidence of God's approval. : "seemed". The Greek dokeo is elsewhere translated "what do you think?" (cf.  Lk 1:8, Acts 12:9, 15:22, ) The decision was not given by clear revelation, but involveed commonsense.
 
It means they acknowledged the importance of  Divine approval on their actions and felt that God had been 'with' them in their decision making
 
It means that devoted discussion is a valid means of discerning the will of God.
 
To what extent are your lifestyle and religious customs required for all Christians, and to what extent are they just cultural and personal preferences? Think of some specific examples. How should this distinction affect the way you view the practices of other Christians?
The way we worship
Alcohol, or not?
They way we dress
Tattoos
Christmas, Easter 
Saturday worship services 

 
Meditate this week on the liberating truth decided at Jerusalem. Why is it important for you? How does it affect your actions?
We spoke about the need to be free from the yoke of the law


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