Acts 15 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 15 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• The council in Jerusalem convened in approximately 48 A.D.

• Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch between approximately 48-49 A.D.

CHARACTERS:

• Paul (Saul) – An Apostle who started churches across the Mediterranean region.

• Barnabas – Paul’s friend and fellow worker in Antioch.

• Jews of the Pharisee Party – Believers who insisted Gentile Christians needed to be circumcised and keep the Old Testament Jewish religious laws.

• Peter – One of the original 12 Apostles who visited Cornelius in Acts 10.

• James – Most likely the son of Mary, Jesus’ brother (Matthew 13:55).

WHERE:

• Chapter 15 opens in Antioch of Syria where Paul and Barnabas were working with the church.

• A council of disciples, elders, and Apostles later gathered in Jerusalem to settle a debate regarding the necessity of circumcision.

OUTLINE:

• A DISAGREEMENT ABOUT CIRCUMCISION IN ANTIOCH OF SYRIA (15:1-21):

  • Some men from Judea went to the church in Antioch and started teaching that all believers needed to be circumcised, whether Jew or Gentile.

  • Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, but they could not resolve the issue.

  • The church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to seek the council of the Apostles and elders. 

  • When they arrived, the Apostles and elders gathered to consider the matter.

  • Peter spoke to the council and recounted how God had offered salvation to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house (Acts 10).

  • He did not want the “yoke” of the Jewish law to be placed on Gentile believers.

  • Next, Paul and Barnabas recounted their work among the Gentile churches.

  • Finally, James spoke to the council and told them the Gentiles should not be required to keep the Law of Moses or to be circumcised.

  • He advised only that the Gentiles should abstain from “things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and from blood.”

• THE DECISION IS SENT TO ANTIOCH IN A LETTER (Acts 15:22-35):

  • The Apostles and elders chose a few good men, Judas and Silas, to accompany Barnabas and Paul back to Antioch with a letter containing their decision.

  • The letter stated that it seemed good to the Apostles, elders, and Holy Spirit not to burden the Gentiles with the old Jewish religious laws.

  • When the congregation in Antioch heard the news, they rejoiced and were encouraged.

  • Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch teaching and preaching.

• THE RETURN TO THE MISSION FIELD (15:36-41):

  • After some days, Paul and Barnabas decided to return to the churches they had previously started to check in on their progress.

  • But they were divided over letting John Mark accompany them, because on their previous trip, he had left them and returned home while they were in Pamphylia.

  • In the end, Barnabas and Paul decided to separate.

  • Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus.

  • Paul took Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia “strengthening the churches.”

APPLICATION:

•  God doesn’t always drop the answers to difficult questions in our laps.

• Even the Apostles had to debate, discuss, and seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit.

• God hasn’t given us the answer to every hypothetical question that may arise in the Church.

• But He has given us guidance in His word which contains the principles needed to make wise decisions that align with His will.