◄ Acts 15:1 ►
Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 15:1? 2. How does Acts 15:1 address the necessity of circumcision for salvation? 3. What implications does Acts 15:1 have for Gentile inclusion in the early Church? 4. How does Acts 15:1 connect with the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 17:10? 5. How can we ensure our church practices align with biblical teachings from Acts 15:1? 6. What modern-day traditions might Acts 15:1 challenge in our Christian communities? 7. Why was circumcision a significant issue in Acts 15:1 for early Christians? 8. How does Acts 15:1 challenge the necessity of Old Testament laws for salvation? 9. What does Acts 15:1 reveal about early church conflicts over Jewish customs? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 15? 11. Acts 15:1 – How can we verify the historicity of this Jerusalem Council when non-biblical sources are silent on such a pivotal event? 12. What was the purpose of the Jerusalem Council? 13. What defines Torahism as a belief system? 14. 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? Discussion Questions 1. What were the implications of the teaching brought by the men from Judea for the early church, and how does this relate to challenges we face today? 2. How can we discern when traditions are helpful or when they become a hindrance to the gospel message? 3. In what ways can we promote unity within the church while respecting cultural and doctrinal differences? 4. How can we ensure that our understanding of salvation remains rooted in the sufficiency of Christ and not in additional requirements? 5. Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed to add to the gospel. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? 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 15:1 NIV Acts 15:1 NLT Acts 15:1 ESV Acts 15:1 NASB Acts 15:1 KJV Acts 15:1 Commentaries Bible Hub