◄ Acts 15:7 ►
After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 15:7? 2. How does Peter's speech in Acts 15:7 emphasize God's choice for Gentile inclusion? 3. What role does faith play in the salvation of Gentiles, according to Acts 15:7? 4. How can Acts 15:7 guide us in resolving church disagreements today? 5. How does Acts 15:7 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? 6. What personal biases must we overcome to embrace God's inclusive plan in Acts 15:7? 7. How does Acts 15:7 support the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian church? 8. Why did God choose Peter to speak in Acts 15:7? 9. What role does Acts 15:7 play in the debate over faith versus works? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 15? 11. Does God disapprove of eating shrimp? 12. Acts 15:7–9 – If God supposedly made no distinction between Jews and Gentiles, why do some Old Testament laws still appear necessary in the letter? 13. In Acts 16:3, why would Paul have Timothy circumcised right after the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 seemingly decided against such requirements? 14. What does the Bible teach about repentance? Discussion Questions 1. How does Peter's role in Acts 15:7 reflect God's sovereignty in choosing leaders for His purposes? 2. In what ways can the church today learn from the Jerusalem Council's approach to resolving disputes? 3. How does the inclusion of Gentiles in the early church challenge us to embrace diversity within our own congregations? 4. What are some modern-day "Gentile" groups that the church might be called to reach, and how can we prepare to share the gospel with them? 5. How can we ensure that our church leadership is open to God's direction, even when it leads us outside of our comfort zones? Acts 15 Bible Study Questions 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 15:7 NIV Acts 15:7 NLT Acts 15:7 ESV Acts 15:7 NASB Acts 15:7 KJV Acts 15:7 Commentaries Bible Hub