Acts - Week 49

Week 49 Acts 15 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 15:12 

12 Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 

The opponents of Paul and Barnabas were more courteous than most groups are today. If one does not agree with another the typical response today is not to allow that person or group to be heard. Paul and Barnabas did not brag about what they did for God but about the “signs and wonders God had done through them.” This was especially among the Gentiles. 

REFLECT 

Think about how to interact with someone of a different opinion, especially about spiritual matters. Listen courteously to any objections and respond with a lowered voice. Sometimes more will be learned from your behavior than from what you say. 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about how to answer those with differing opinions. See 1 Peter 3:14-16 for the way to answer. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 15:13-14 

13 When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. 

James stood to confirm what Simon Peter had said about God working with the Gentiles. Notice how the salvation of Gentiles is described: “God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself.” How could anyone deny this if God was the author of it? Those who wanted to add the rite of circumcision to the gospel message were hearing from the apostles and elders about the work of God with the Gentiles. 

REFLECT 

Do you know of some who are unconcerned about the gospel going to particular ethnic groups? 

They are not understanding that God loves the entire world. 

RESPOND 

Read Jonah 1:1-3 and 4:5-11. This shows both the beginning and end of Jonah’s story. He didn’t want to go to Nineveh, an enemy country that was threatening Israel. Are we like this? 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 15:15-18 

15 “And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written: 16 ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, 

including the Gentiles—all those I have called to be mine. The Lord has spoken—18 he who made these things known so long ago.’ 

As he continued speaking, James let it be known that the salvation of Gentiles was predicted in the Old Testament. Salvation was not just for the Jewish people who had the Mosaic law. This is not some new information; it was “known so long ago.” This emphasizes God’s love for the entire world, not just one ethnic group. This agrees with Jesus’ instructions why we should love one another.  

REFLECT 

How are you doing in loving each another? There can always be room for improvement. 

RESPOND 

James was referring to Amos 9:11-12. Read this passage and consider that James referred to it in his speech to show that God loves all nations. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 15:19-21 

19 “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood. 21 For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in every city on every Sabbath for many generations.” 

With it having been decided that circumcision or the Mosaic law was not to be added to the gospel, James now turns to suggesting lifestyles so as not to be a stumbling block to others. Some of these suggestions were based on the Mosiac law; some are ethical and morals true at all times—such as sexual immorality, eating meat of strangled animals, and consuming blood.  

REFLECT 

Does this remind you of the need to be careful not to offend others with a different background by the way you live? Salvation is only by grace through faith in Jesus, but a believer needs to be considerate of others.  

RESPOND 

Although he was a Pharisee before conversion, Paul did not want to offend others by the way he lived. He was willing to restrict himself so as not to offend others. Read 1 Corinthians 8:9-13 in this regard. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 15:22 

22 Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. 

Once the decision had been made, the leaders in the church in Jerusalem decided to send a report to those in Antioch of Syria. Representatives from the Jerusalem church were chosen to accompany the group to Antioch—Judas and Silas. Should any in Antioch have more questions, these two men were available to speak for the leaders in Jerusalem. It was a wise decision to send these men with the others. 

REFLECT 

Are you seeing the wisdom used in handling sensitive situations? It is important for spiritual leaders to act with wisdom. 

RESPOND 

Read 2 Corinthians 8:16-21 to see that in handling money it is especially necessary to be wise. In this passage more than one person was overseeing the money. This is also why Christian ministries have their books audited by an outside source. Not only to be honorable before the Lord but to have others know it as well.