Don't Listen to Impostors

Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Acts 15:22-35 KJV 

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell [you] the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 31 [Which] when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed [them]. 33 And after they had tarried [there] a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. 34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still. 35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) After the dissension concerning the circumcision of Gentile believers, who was sent with an epistle (letter) from among the Jewish believers? (v.22) 
2) Who was the letter addressed to and what did the letter say? (v.23-29)
3) Where did the men, who had been sent, first deliver the letter? (v.30)
4) How did those sent to Antioch, react after reading, what was written in the letter, to the multitude and why? (v.31)
5) Who confirmed what was written and what else did they do to encourage the believers in Antioch? (v.32)
6) Who remained in Antioch and what did they do while there? (v.33-35)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) What individual(s), or group of believers, needs to be restored, or reconciled, to the body of Christ in your home church, and/or denomination?
8) How is the Lord leading you to begin that process of restoration and/or reconciliation?

LIFE LESSONS
9) The body of Christ is comprised of many different followers of the Lord, from many different ethnicities and doctrines.
10) Our Lord is returning for unified body of believers