January’s memory verse:
“...they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him, we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ '” — Acts 17:27-28
Acts Chapter 15:
Chapter 15 is another turning point in this narrative of Acts. There are some Jews who are inquiring about circumcision. While you read this chapter, ask yourself what circumcision has to do with salvation. Listen as the Jerusalem council debates the necessity of this Jewish law. I am not sure any woman can fully appreciate the request of the Pharisees!
And Peter, the Peter we know and love from chapter 10, opens his mouth again and goes to bat for the Gentiles. You will have to read this chapter for yourself to see what the judgment is and to understand the letter the council writes to the Gentiles who have confused and unsettled minds. At the close of the meeting, many brothers rejoice and are sent off in peace. Despite the debate and another shocking twist at the end of the chapter with Barnabas and Paul, the Gospel goes forward and the message is preached, strengthening the churches to the ends of the earth.
Here are a few application questions from this chapter to ponder this week:
Paul talks about burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither they nor their ancestors were able to bear. What is this yoke and why should new converts not have to adhere to it? What does it represent?
After seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the council ruled that new believers would not be required to get circumcised, but they would need to abstain from four other practices. Why were these four regulations so important for believers to follow? These are in the Jewish law, but so is circumcision. So what is the difference?
If you need a quick synopsis of the events in the previous chapter, keep scrolling.
Summary of chapter 14:
In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas speak in the synagogues. Many Jews and Greeks believe, but those who didn't cause division among the brothers. Eventually, though they did stay a long time, they fled to Lystra to avoid a stoning.
In Lystra, there was a crippled man from birth whose faith was seen by Paul. He sprang up and began to walk when his faith made him well.
The people of Lystra hear and see this miracle and begin to worship Paul and Barnabas, calling them Zeus and Hermes.
Paul and Barnabas are greatly grieved that the people are worshiping man and not God and they spoke boldly and urged them to turn from these idols. Sadly, the people were barely restrained.
Jews from Antioch, Pisidia, and Iconium stoned Paul and left him for dead.
The disciples gather around Paul, he rises up and they all continue to preach, returning confidently back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.
After encouraging believers in each town to continue in their faith, Paul and Barnabas eventually returned to Antioch, Syria (yes, there are two Antioch's). Upon arrival, they declared all that the Lord had done, including how he had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.
This Year’s Memory Verse
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. “
Acts 1:8