1 Reaction to Gentile converts had been building. See
11:2-3 What major truth about salvation was at stake here?
What are some of the major issues of our day, and
how does your church handle controversies and major issues?
2 Yes, they did debate "sharply". What guidelines
would you lay down if your church had to debate about an issue?
3-4 They traveled to Jerusalem. How were Paul &
Barnabas received?
5 The major issue (even in our day) is: What are
Christians obligated to keep from the Old Testament? Indeed, what from
the New also?
What is our criteria for keeping or not keeping the
OT laws (ceremonial, dietary, civil, covenantal)?
Was their issue a matter of customs, traditions or
doctrine?
7-11 What event did Peter appeal to?
Why did Peter say that these laws were unbearable?
12 What also supported the position of Paul and
Barnabas?
13-18 What did James (Leader in Jerusalem) use to
prove his point?
19-21 List the 3 expectations that they placed on new
Gentile converts.
What was there reasoning behind these 3?
22 Note that the whole gathering of leaders is in
agreement. Should major church issues be settled by majority vote (47
to 53?) or unanimous agreement?
Note the letter in 23-29. According to vs 25 & 28,
with what confidence did they make these admonitions?
30 and 22 What was the function of Judas (Barsabbas)
and Silas?
36-41 Was this a doctrinal issue? Was it Resolved?
What conditions should be met for Christians to
"resolve" an issue by agreeing to separate?
When a whole church separates, is that a defeat for
the Kingdom of God?
Under what conditions might a Church leader have to
say to someone, "No, you may not go on this trip," or "I cannot give
you this job."
