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2. Textual Studies From The Gospel Of Luke & The Acts Of The Apostles

3. Some Chronology Up To This Point… The church’s beginningA.D. 30 Herod’s death Acts 12A.D. 44 [Josephus] The length of the 1st Journey 3 – 5 yrs. Long time at Antioch Acts 14:28 ??? Approx. 20 years

4. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 Men came from Judea to Antioch…teaching Gentiles to be circumcised to be saved v. 1 This was important…it was being made a condition of someone’s salvation Paul & Barnabas had “great dissension and debate” with these men v. 2a

5. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 The Antioch brethren sent Paul & Barnabas to Jerusalem to help settle this issue v. 2b This wasn’t strictly a “human” decision…it was “by revelation” that Paul went Gal 2:2a It had been roughly 14 years since he was last there Gal 2:1a cp. Acts 11:29-30 12:25

6. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 One of the “certain others” accompanying Paul was Titus Gal 2:1b On the way, Paul & Barnabas encourage churches in Phoenicia & Samaria v. 3 In Jerusalem, Paul & Barnabas are received well, give another “report” v. 4 Gal 2:7-10

7. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 Some Pharisees who “believed” once again contend for circumcising Gentiles v. 5 It was vital to resolve this correctly…it would subvert Christianity to Judaism Col 2:11-14 Paul & Barnabas did not view them or their position favorably Gal 2:3-5

8. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 The apostles & Jerusalem elders led the examination into this issue v. 6 Why would the Jerusalem elders need to be involved…wouldn’t their “involvement” violate what Peter would later write re: elders’ oversight? 1 Pet 5:2

9. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 The Jerusalem elders would need to establish they had not sent out such men who were under their oversight v. 24 “After much debate…” the speeches began to be made vv. 7-21

10. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 The speeches…vv. 7-21 Peter vv. 7-11 He reminded everyone how God sent him to the Gentiles cp. Acts 10 God “bore witness” to these efforts by sending the Holy Spirit upon uncircumcised Gentiles

11. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 The speeches…vv. 7-21 Peter vv. 7-11 God made no distinction re: Jews & Gentiles God “cleansed their hearts by faith” He argued not to “place such a yoke” on them Salvation is through the grace of Jesus

12. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 The speeches…vv. 7-21 Paul & Barnabas v. 12 They related their labors on the 1st journey Acts 13-14 They emphasized the signs & wonders God did through them among uncircumcised Gentiles

13. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 The speeches…vv. 7-21 James vv. 13-18 He reinforced Peter’s comments He connects them to Amos’ prophecy re: salvation for uncircumcised Gentiles Amos 9:11-12

14. The Importance Of Biblical Authority The Issue Ù Circumcision Is Needed For Salvation Approved ExampleNecessary InferenceDirect Command  God accepted the Gentiles without circumcision  Authority Established  Signs before uncircumcised Gentiles  Authority Established  God’s words re: uncircumcised Gentiles  Authority Established

15. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 Following his comments, James also offers his “judgment” re: what to do vv. 19-21 Not strictly “human” judgment cp. v. 28 A letter was to be written, instructing Gentiles to abstain from things already condemned in the Law

16. Lesson 38 – The “Conference” 15:1-29 Following his comments, James also offers his “judgment” re: what to do vv. 19-21 Adherence to this would hopefully ensure peace between Jews & Gentiles, given the fact that Moses was “continually read” every Sabbath in the synagogues