Day 327 (Acts 15-16) - Year 6
The Bible Recap
Deep Dive
Why did Paul and Barnabas return to Jerusalem to address the issue of circumcision?
They wanted to resolve the debate about whether converts to Christianity had to first convert to Judaism, which they had already dealt with a decade earlier.
What was the main argument presented by Peter during the debate in Jerusalem?
Peter reminded the council of how God had used him to preach to Gentiles and how they received the Holy Spirit, making it clear that God does not distinguish between Jews and Gentiles.
What were the key cultural practices identified by the Jerusalem Council that new Gentile converts needed to avoid?
The practices included eating food sacrificed to idols, eating blood, eating things strangled, and engaging in sexual immorality, as these could cause division within the church.
Why did Paul decide to circumcise Timothy despite his previous stance against circumcision?
Paul did it to remove any potential barriers for Timothy when preaching to Jews, as he knew firsthand how Jews rejected uncircumcised people.
How did God influence the actions of Paul and his companions during their missionary journeys?
The Holy Spirit directed their steps, guiding them where to go and where not to go, similar to how Jesus sometimes directed His disciples.
What significant event occurred after Paul exorcised a demon from a slave girl in Philippi?
Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and thrown into prison for disturbing the peace, mirroring Jesus' own experience of being jailed for setting people free.
How did the jailer in Philippi come to believe in Jesus?
After an earthquake opened the prison doors, the jailer was about to kill himself but Paul stopped him, leading to the jailer asking how to be saved. Paul told him to believe in Jesus, echoing Jesus' words in John 6 about faith being the work of God.
What role does faith play in the process of being saved according to Peter?
Peter said that God cleanses our hearts by faith, using it like a purifying fire that refines and purifies hearts, making it clear that faith is a gift from God.
- The Jerusalem Council decided against requiring circumcision for new converts.
- The council emphasized unity and harmony within the church.
- The decision was based on the belief that salvation comes through grace, not by keeping the law.
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