SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, MACRH 4,2018 TOPIC: Gentile Believers Accepted

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON, MARCH 4,2018

TOPIC: Gentile Believers Accepted

Memory Verse: Galatians 3:8. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen [Gentiles] through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In 

thee shall all nations be blessed (KJV).

LESSON TEXT: Acts 15:1 through 16:5.

CENTRAL TRUTH: Salvation for all is by grace, through faith in Christ.

FOCUS: To be grateful to God that the gospel is for all people, and endeavor to make it known to all.

OUTLINE:

1   1 .     Controversy over Gentile Believers

A.    Unsettling Teaching

B.     Powerful Testimony

2  2 .     Decided by the Word and Spirit

A.    Divine Wisdom

B.     Just Decision

3  3.     Gentile Believers Rejoice

A.    Further Teaching

B.     Further Ministry

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

1.     Describe the situation in the Antioch church that resulted in the Jerusalem Council

2.     Understand that the gospel provides Salvation for all people.

3.     Share the gospel with people who are different from them.

Introducing The Lesson

     It is sometimes difficult for churches to accept people who are culturally different from them. Use this week’s lesson to challenge your students to understand that the gospel is for all people.

Commentary and Application

11.  Controversy Over Gentile Believers

A.    Unsettling Teaching. Acts 15:1-5

   God had done mighty work among the Gentiles through Peter and Paul (Acts 10:1-48; 11:23-26; 13:14-52; 14:1-28). Some, however were not happy about how the Gentiles were being accepted into the Church, certain men from Judea came to Antioch ( Acts 15:1,KJV). They may have heard about the revival among the Gentiles, and possibly were the same men Paul mentioned in Galatians 2:12. These men were possibly some of the Pharisee who had become Christians (Acts 15:5). Verse 24may indicate they had claimed authority from the Jerusalem church.

     This insistence on circumcision and obedience to the Law brought up a question for the church to address (verse 2-4). Jews normally had  no social interaction with uncircumcised Gentiles. The gospel was beginning to break down these walls. But the altered the fundamental aspect of salvation as a gift of God’s grace.

QUESTION: Why would these Jewish believers in Christ feel that Gentiles needed to be circumcised and obey the Law?

      They believed that if the Gentile believes wanted all the benefits of salvation and to become part of God’s holy people, they must first become proselytes to Judaism. God initiated a covenant of circumcision with Abraham (Genesis 17:9-14) as a sign that a Jewish male was in covenant relationship with God. Obeying Mosaic Law was the other sign that a person belonged to God’s people. Some of the Christians thought that the Gentiles had to be circumcised to experience the full salvation that the one true God offered His people.

QUESTION: What is the theological significance of the request by these believers from Judaea?

     This teaching indicates that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus in and of itself is not sufficient to provide salvation for all people. In the same way, religions that that indicate a person must earn his or her salvation negate what Jesus did on the cross.

   We understand that complete salvation comes by grace through faith (Ephsians 2:8-9). But because this controversy involving what was required for salvation came up, the apostles and elders in Jerusalem needed to find a resolution

  Many of the churches Paul, Barnabas, and many others visited along the way may have been open to Gentile converts (Acts 15:3). The decision at Jerusalem would affect them as well. The rejoicing of the Phoenician and Samaritan believers gave credence to Paul’s position.

    The leaders in the Jerusalem church welcomed Paul and Barnabas, and their account of what God was doing among the Gentiles ( verse 4). This news, however, brought a reaction from the Pharisees who had become Christians (verse 5). They seemed to have simply added Jesus to their obedience to the Law of Moses. They have not understood the impact of what Christ’s sacrifice on the cross had accomplished.

B.     Powerful Testimony. Acts 15:6-12

  When Paul and Barnabas first went to Jerusalem, they first met with the whole church (Acts 15:4), and then met with the apostles and the Elders (verse 6). It was a crucial moment for the Church. The decision of this council would affect how Gentiles would be viewed with regard to faith in Christ.

     The discussion and disputing indicated in verse 7 shows the division caused by this issue. These believers needed divine wisdom to resolve it. Luke did not record all the discussion, but only the parts that produced a solution. Peter’s speech was the first one recorded.

QUESTION: In what ways was Peter’s speech pivotal in resolving this issue?

     Peter gave a brief account of his ministry at Cornelius’ house that had happened ten years earlier (verse 8; see Acts 10:1-48). He had already defended himself before the elders (Acts 11:1-18). Peter emphasized the fact these Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit the same way the 120 did on the day of Pentecost (Acts 15:8). They had spoken in tongues. This was proof that God had saved them because of their faith in Him, not because of they had been circumcised and obeyed the Law(verse 9).

     Peter’s charge in verse 10 had serious implications. Tempting God meant these Pharisees had rejected what God had in these Gentiles. They were also rejecting God’s salvation that came through faith.

      The yoke Paul mentioned refereed to the Jews’ relationship to God through the Law. The Jews believed the Law was a gift from God. But the heavy-handed  view of obedience to the Law accepted in the first century  was a burden to the common Jews. Yet verse 11 makes it clear that a relationship with God comes only through Jesus Christ. Why would the Jews accept their salvation by faith and yet place additional burdens on the Gentiles? Peter’s speech seemed to have an effect on the council.

    We see the importance of Peter’s speech when we compare the brief overview that Luke gave of Barnabas and Paul provided practical examples of how this had taken place in their ministry.

QUESTION: What is the best way to solve theological issues in the church?

22.     Decided By the Word and Spirit

A.    Divine Wisdom. Acts 15:13-21

      When Peter, Barnabas and Paul  ended their arguments ( Acts 15:13),James Jesus’ brother, the leader of the church in Jerusalem, rose to respond.

       First, James validated Peter’s message ( verse 14). The phrase “ to take out of them a people for his name” (KJV) reminded the Jew how God had chosen Israel  to be His people (Deuteronomy 14:2). God had made the Gentiles part of His people.

        Next, James quoted Acts 9:11-12 from the Greek (Septuagint translation of the Scriptures. God had always intended to bring the Gentiles into His family. Amos prophecy is one of judgment that took place on Jerusalem when Babylon captured it. After God had  judged Israel , He would later come and rebuild “the Tabernacle of David” (Acts 15:16,KJV). This prophecy has messianic implications. During Messiah’s reign, He will build a temple in which both Jews and Gentiles would worship. This phrase” upon whom my name is called” (verse 17,KJV) denotes ownership. God will give the covenant status of Israel to Gentiles. They will belong to God without circumcision or obedience to the Law. David’s restore temple will include all Jews and Gentile who have accepted Christ as Saviou by Faith.

        In verse 19, James drew his conclusion: “that we trouble not them” (KJV). This “trouble” referred to the requirement of circumcision  and obedience to the Law. James, did have four requirements for these Gentiles Christians (verse 20).

QUESTION: Why were these requirements important?

       The first requirement had to do with idolatry. James was asking Gentiles to make a complete break with idolatry. He may have based this on Exodus 20:3 and 34:15-16. Paul also dealt with this in his epistle ( 1Corinthians 10:1 through 11:1; 2Corinthians 6:14 through 7:1). God had also forbidden sexual immorality (Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18). The word in verse 20 translated “fornication” (KJV; “sexual immorality”,NIV) refers to any sexual sin – fornication, adultery, prostitution, homosexuality. Sexual sin was prominent in Greek culture, especially with prostitution in idol temples.

       The other requirements had to do with eating blood. “From things strangled” (verse 20,KJV) refers to meat that did not have its blood drained. The life is in the blood, so God prohibits anyone from eating it ( see Leviticus 3:17; 7:26-27;17:11,14; Deuteronomy 12:23).

QUESTION: What instructions are we to give new believers?

        Many times well-meaning Christians have given new believers a list of requirements for holiness. While God does require us to live holy lives, this does not come by obeying a list of rules but living according to the spirit (Galatians 5:16). We must gently guide new believers into allowing God’s word and the Holy Spirit to speak to them about holy living.

B.     Just Decision. Acts 15:22-29

    Not only did the apostles and elders approve of James’ decision, the whole church did as well (Acts 15:22). The church had to make this decision known to the church world, starting with Antioch. So Paul and Barnabas were sent out with a letter to the churches with two Jewish leaders to accompany them, Judas (Barnabas) and Silas.

QUESTION: Why was it important that two Jewish leaders accompany Paul and Barnabas?

   Choosing Jewish leaders was important. The ones that claimed they had authority from Jerusalem had cursed the turmoil in Antioch. The men chosen by  the church would provide the definitive decision from the apostles and elders. Also,some in the church could not accused Paul and Barnabas of twisting the church decision. The letter sent by the council pointed to the unity of the Jerusalem church concerning this decision ( verses 23-25). It made the point that it was the Holy Spirit and the church leaders who made this decision (verse 28). This letter detailed the requirements the apostles and elders had placed on the Gentiles.

QUESTION: Do all of the requirements of Acts 15:28-29 apply to Gentile Christians today? Explain.

33.     Gentile Believers Rejoice

A.    Further Teaching. Acts 15:30-35

          Paul and his companions probably visited the same churches they had on their way to Jerusalem. Luke only mentioned their arrival at Antioch (Acts 15:30). This letter brought joy to the Gentile believers in Antioch.

QUESTION:  How might the today resolve disagreement?

     Sometimes disagreements cause us to look at issues in different way. They can also provide opportunity for dialogue. In all these discussions we must maintain our Christian testimony.

     Judas and Silas stayed in Antioch and provided further teaching. The Gentiles may have had questions about these requirements. In further to show support to these Gentile believers, Silas stayed with Paul and Barnabas when others returned to Jerusalem ( verses 32-35).

B.     Further Ministry. Acts 15:40-41; 16:4-5

   While Paul and Barnabas could agree on the issue concerning Gentile believers, they had a “sharp disagreement” about taking John Mark with them on their journey. The source of their contention was the fact that John Mark had left in the middle of their first missionary journey (Acts 15:36-39). The result was that Barnabas took Mark and left for Cyrus, while Paul chose Silas and departed, going through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches ( verse 40-41).

QUESTION: Why was Silas a good choice as Paul’s missionary companion?

   Silas was a Jew and a Roman citizen, and he had a concern for the Gentiles. This would be important as they ministered to mostly Gentiles churches.

    Paul and Silas had two main goals in their second missionary endeavor: to visit established churches and strengthen them ( verse 41) and to present the decrees from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem (16:4-5).  

DISCIPLESHIP IN ACTION

    Accepting people who speak different languages, wear different clothing, or have different sociaeconomic status is not always easy. Challenges to our theological and biblical thinking can curse division in a church. This week’s lesson provides an example of these issues.

   As you work through the lesson, think about situations in your church and community in which you can apply the principles from this week’s lesson. There may be group in your community who need to hear the gospel. We send missionaries around the world but sometimes neglect people in our communities.

   Challenge your students to allow the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to those who might be difficult to love. Ask them to pray about how they can reach out to those people with the gospel.

MINISTRY IN ACTION

   The gospel is available to all people. God is not willing that anyone should perish  (2 Peter 3:9). Challenge your students to share the gospel with those who do not share the same culture.