Acts 15-16 Study Notes

Council Meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-36)

  • Objectives:

    1. Identify the members of the Jerusalem council.
    2. Understand the purpose of the council meeting.
    3. Evaluate the outcomes of the council's decisions.

  • Vocabulary:

    • Circumcision: Surgical removal of the foreskin.

  • Composition of the Council:

    • Apostles: Key leaders of the early church.
    • Elders: Respected older men filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit.
    • Pharisees: A Jewish sect known for strict adherence to the Law.
    • Chair: James, brother of Jesus.

  • Opinions Expressed During the Meeting:

    • Pharisees' Stance:
    • Gentiles must be circumcised.
    • Gentiles must observe the Law of Moses.

  • Peter's Contribution:

    • Spoke for the apostles, stating:
    • God validated the Gentiles by granting them the Holy Spirit.
    • Gentiles should not be bound by circumcision.
    • Salvation comes through God's grace alone.

  • Paul and Barnabas' Contribution:

    • Shared their experiences of miracles among Gentiles, indicating divine approval.

  • James' Contribution:

    • Cited scripture, asserting that the inclusion of Gentiles was foretold.
    • Advocated for unconditional acceptance of Gentile believers.

  • Council’s Decision:

    • Gentiles are not required to be circumcised to be Christians, but must adhere to specific rules:
    1. No consumption of meat offered to idols.
    2. No drinking blood.
    3. No sexual immorality.
    4. No eating meat from strangled animals.

Paul Travels to Philippi (Acts 16:1-40)

  • Objectives:

    1. Explain the imprisonment of Paul and Silas.
    2. Describe the conversion of the jailer.
    3. Discuss the importance of advocating for civil rights.

  • Key Vocabulary:

    • Possessed: Controlled by an evil spirit.
    • Fortune-teller: Someone who predicts future events.
    • Suicide: Taking one’s own life.
    • Philippi: Capital of Macedonia.
    • Vision: Divine message perceived by the individual.
    • Magistrates: Officials who adjudicate local legal matters.

  • Background on Timothy:

    • Joined Paul’s missionary team, having mixed heritage (Jewish mother and Greek father).
    • Initially uncircumcised; later circumcised to fit in with Jewish communities.
    • His spiritual education came from his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois.

  • Paul’s Vision:

    • Paul envisioned a man from Macedonia encouraging him to come help them.

  • Lydia’s Conversion:

    • First person Paul met; a wealthy Gentile seller of purple cloth.
    • Converted after hearing Paul’s teachings; subsequently baptized along with her household.
    • Lydia's home became a focal point for the new church in Philippi.

  • Incident with the Slave Girl:

    1. Encountered a possessed slave girl who could predict the future, making money for her masters.
    2. Annoyed by her claims, Paul cast the spirit out in Jesus' name.
    3. Her masters furious, leading to Paul's arrest and accusations against him and Silas.

  • The Punishment:

    • Paul and Silas were beaten, stripped of their clothes, and imprisoned.

  • Paul and Silas in Prison:

    1. Despite their situation, they prayed and sang hymns at midnight.
    2. A powerful earthquake occurred, freeing them from their chains and opening prison doors.

  • The Jailer’s Response:

    • Fearing punishment for the escaped prisoners, he prepared to end his life but was stopped by Paul.
    • Paul shared the way to salvation; the jailer and his household were converted and baptized.

  • The Release:

    • Officers sought to release Paul and Silas, but they refused, citing their Roman citizenship.
    • They demanded an apology, causing fear among the magistrates, who complied.
    • Paul and Silas later returned to Lydia’s home, staying for a while and encouraging the new believers.