He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 15:9? 2. How does Acts 15:9 demonstrate God's impartiality towards Jews and Gentiles? 3. What does "purified their hearts by faith" mean for personal spiritual growth? 4. How can Acts 15:9 guide us in addressing modern church divisions? 5. How does Acts 15:9 connect with Ephesians 2:8-9 on salvation by faith? 6. In what ways can we ensure our hearts are "purified by faith" daily? 7. How does Acts 15:9 address the issue of purity between Jews and Gentiles? 8. What does Acts 15:9 imply about the role of faith in salvation? 9. How does Acts 15:9 challenge traditional Jewish customs and laws? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 15? 11. What was the purpose of the Jerusalem Council? 12. What defines Mid-Acts Dispensationalism? 13. What defines being pure in heart? 14. Why do believers in Acts 8:14-17 only receive the Holy Spirit through the apostles' laying on of hands, whereas other texts suggest immediate reception? Discussion Questions 1. How does Acts 15:9 challenge our understanding of who is included in the family of God?2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "no distinction" in our church communities today? 3. How does the cleansing of hearts by faith, as mentioned in Acts 15:9, relate to the concept of grace in Ephesians 2:8-9? 4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in unifying believers, according to Acts 15:9 and other related scriptures? 5. How can we ensure that our faith communities reflect the unity and diversity seen in the early church as described in Acts 15?1. What are the potential dangers of imposing one's cultural practices on believers from different cultures, as seen in the dispute over circumcision? 2. How does the Jerusalem Council provide a model for resolving doctrinal disputes within the Church? 3. What can we learn from Peter's defense of the Gentile believers at the Council? 4. How does James' proposal balance the concerns of Jewish believers and the freedom of Gentile believers? 5. How does the council's letter demonstrate sensitivity and respect towards both Jewish and Gentile believers? 6. How does the response of the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia to the council's letter underscore the importance of unity in the Church? 7. What can the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas teach us about dealing with personal disputes within Christian ministry? 8. How can we apply the lessons from the Jerusalem Council to current debates within our own churches or denominations? 9. How does the council's decision reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in the early Church? 10. What strategies can we use to avoid letting personal disagreements, like the one between Paul and Barnabas, hinder our Christian mission? 11. How does Acts 15 challenge our understanding of the role of cultural practices in our faith? 12. What can we learn from the way the early Church handled disagreements and conflicts? 13. How can the council's decision influence our approach to cultural diversity within our own church communities? 14. How does the unfolding of events in this chapter demonstrate the sovereignty of God, even in times of conflict and disagreement? 15. How does the inclusivity of Gentiles in the early Church speak to issues of racial or cultural inclusion in today's Church? 16. In what ways does the decision of the Jerusalem Council demonstrate the Church's flexibility and adaptability to changing contexts? 17. How do you reconcile the directive from the Jerusalem Council with the freedom we have in Christ? 18. How can the split between Paul and Barnabas be viewed both negatively and positively? 19. What does the chapter suggest about the role of human agency and the Holy Spirit in the expansion of the Church? 20. How can we promote unity in our church communities amidst differing views and beliefs? Links Acts 15:9 NIVActs 15:9 NLT Acts 15:9 ESV Acts 15:9 NASB Acts 15:9 KJV Acts 15:9 Commentaries Bible Hub |



