November 8
Lesson 10
SAVED BY GRACE
DEVOTIONAL READING: Revelation 21:1–5
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:1–35
ACTS 15:1–12
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.
KEY VERSES
God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; and put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
—Acts 15:8, 9
THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY COMES ALIVE
Unit 3: Spreading the Gospel
LESSONS 9–13
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. State the issues that resulted in the Jerusalem Council.
2. Explain why keeping the Law of Moses is unnecessary for salvation.
3. Role-play a modern situation in which believers meet to resolve differences.
LESSON OUTLINE
A. Turning Points in History
B. Lesson Background
I. Conflict Defined (ACTS 15:1–3)
A. Demand by Hardliners (v. 1)
B. Challenge by Paul and Barnabas (v. 2a)
C. Journey to Jerusalem (vv. 2b, 3)
Conflict and Resolution
II. Council Convened (ACTS 15:4–6)
A. Delegation Proclaims (v. 4)
B. Pharisees Contend (v. 5)
C. Council Considers (v. 6)
III. Judaizers Overruled (ACTS 15:7–12)
A. No Difference in People (vv. 7–9)
B. Salvation Through Grace (vv. 10, 11)
C. Proof by Miracles (v. 12)
Mergers and Biases
Conclusion
A. Lasting Impact of the Jerusalem Council
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Cornelius
Cor-neel-yus.
Judas Barsabas
Joo-dus Bar-sa-bus.
Judas Iscariot
Joo-dus Iss-care-ee-ut.
Matthias
Muh-thigh-us (th as in thin).
Phenice
Fih-nye-see.
Phoenicia
Fuh-nish-uh.
proselytes
prahss-uh-lights.
Samaria
Suh-mare-ee-uh.
Samaritans
Suh-mare-uh-tunz.
Sidon
Sigh-dun.
Silas
Sigh-luss.
synagogue
sin-uh-gog.
Tyre
Tire.
What Do You Think?
How do we know when to take a firm stand on an issue and risk disunity in the process?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Matthew 17:24–27
■ Acts 15:36–41
■ Romans 16:17
■ 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, 58; 16:13
■ Titus 3:10
■ Other
What Do You Think?
What occasions in your life as a Christian have brought you the greatest joy? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding times of personal spiritual victory
■ Regarding times of progress by your church
■ Other
What Do You Think?
Is the procedure we see here a precedent for deciding doctrinal questions today? Why, or why not?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Considering the nature of the office of apostle
■ Considering the nature of the doctrine at issue
■ Considering the fallibility of human interpretation
■ Other
Visual for Lesson 10. Point to this visual as you ask, “What happens when we allow this statement to become a reality for us personally?”
What Do You Think?
How can we better live the life of grace?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ In our private thoughts
■ In interacting with fellow believers
■ In interacting with unbelievers
■ Other
What Do You Think?
In the church, when should we keep silent and allow others to have their say, and when should we insist on being heard? Why?
Talking Points for Your Discussion
■ Regarding issues of doctrine
■ Regarding matters of expediency
■ Titus 1:10, 11
■ Other
Krause, Mark S., Douglas C. Schmidt, et al. “Saved by Grace.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 87. Print.
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