God Makes No Distinction

Sunday, November 8, 2015
Acts 15:1-12 KJV 

1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses. 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What transpired among the brethren when a "works" gospel was being taught among them and what was done in an attempt to resolve the matter? (v.1-2)
2) What did the disciples declare among the brethren on their way to Jerusalem and what was the response to that news? (v.3)
3) What happened after the disciples spoke with the leaders and apostles in Jerusalem? (v.4)
4) Who arose among the leaders in Jerusalem and what did they declare concerning the Gentile converts? (v.5)
5) What transpired after the leaders in Jerusalem began to consider the matter? (v.6-7a)
6) What did the Apostle Peter say to the Jewish leaders and how did they respond to his reasonings? (v.7b-12)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Have you ever been involved in, or heard of, a dispute concerning man-made traditions in your local church assembly, denomination, or elsewhere? If so, briefly describe how the matter was resolved.

LIFE LESSONS
8) Doctrinal disputes and religious practices should never dilute the simple truth of the Gospel: "We are saved by grace alone, through faith in Christ alone, and nothing else!"