A. PEOPLE INVOLVED: Jewish brethren from Jerusalem, Paul, Barnabas, a sect of
the Pharisees who believed, the church, and apostles and elders.
B. THINGS TO REMEMBER:
1. Men come from Jerusalem seeking to bind circumcision in Antioch.
2. Confrontation with Paul and Barnabas precipitates a trip to Jerusalem.
A. PETER'S SPEECH( vs. 7-11 ).
1. Recounts his work in the house of Cornelius.
2. Warning not to "yoke" the Gentiles.
3. Saved through the grace of Jesus.
B. PAUL AND BARNABAS TELL OF THEIR JOURNEY( vs. 12 ).
C. THE REASONING OF JAMES( vs. 13-21 ).
1. Corroboration of the prophets and Peter( vs. 14-18; Amos 9:11-12 ).
2. The judgment of James.
a. Trouble not the Gentiles.
b. Tell them to abstain from the pollutions of idols.
- fornication.
- what is strangled.
- blood.
3. Why? Traditions of Moses rampant throughout the empire.
D. THE APOSTLE'S ELDER'S DECISION( vs. 22-29 ).
1. Men are sent to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas with a letter.
2. A disclaimer about the trouble makers.
3. An endorsement of their decision from the Holy Spirit.
4. The saints of Antioch rejoice!
5. Paul and Barnabas remain in Antioch.
III. PLAN FOR A SECOND JOURNEY( vs. 36-41 ).
A. THE PLAN - RETURN TO THE CITIES VISITED ON THE FIRST JOURNEY.
B. THE PROBLEM - JOHN MARK. BARNABAS WANTS HIM, PAUL DOESN'T.
C. THE SOLUTION - THEY SPLIT, BARNABAS TAKING MARK TO CYPRESS,
PAUL TAKING SILAS THRU SYRIA AND CILICIA.
1. Over what did the church divide in this chapter and who were the first to defend the truth in this matter?
2. How did the brethren decide to resolve this problem?
3. Who were the speakers whose words are recorded for us?
4. The first talked about the Holy Spirit given to the Gentiles. What's he referring to?
5. The second appealed to what to demonstrate his point?
6. What things did James suggest that they teach the Gentiles to abstain from?
7. What reason did he give?
8. What 4 men took the letter from Jerusalem concerning this problem to Antioch?
9. What did Paul and Barnabas decide to do in the last part of the chapter?
10. Over what did they have a disagreement?
11. What was their final decision?
12. What have you learned about situations where Christians disagree?
