Who was going to be sent with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch? What were these men going to deliver? Who was pleased with this idea?
Who was the letter addressed to?
What was the unsettling news they had heard? Had the apostles given these commands?
Who were they sending to help clear up the matter? How were these men described?
What instruction seemed good to the apostles to give (via the Holy Spirit)?
What four things were they to keep away from?
What was the result among the Christians when they heard the letter?
How were Judas and Silas described? What did they do?
Who stayed with them instead of going back to Jerusalem?
Who else stayed in Antioch at that time?

Thought Questions

What do you think was the secret to the unity among the apostles and their easy agreement? Is there a way you can reproduce that in your church, family, or among those you work with?
What parts of “the law” were the Gentile Christians the most troubled with having to keep? Was it the moral law of the Ten Commandments–thou shalt not kill, or steal, honor your parents, etc? Are there parts of the law from the Old Testament that we still ought to respect today, and other parts that simply pointed forward to Christ?
Have you risked your life for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ? Would you?
Do you incorporate the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your decisions? How do you recognize His voice? How did the apostles know what “seemed good to the Holy Spirit?”
Discuss further the four restrictions found in verse 29. Why were they so important? Are they still important today? We are not often tempted by meat sacrificed to idols today, but might there be a modern equivalent?
If you were charged with the task of thinking of four restrictions that you think should be placed on new believers, what would you think of? Why?
If we are saved by grace alone, why would the apostles impose any restrictions on the new believers? Do your lifestyle choices affect your life and your focus on your faith in Christ?

My prayer is:
That I would understand from my study of the Scriptures what the most important guidelines for my lifestyle are;
That I would understand the reasons why these are important and how they can affect my faith and my walk with Christ;
And that the Holy Spirit would strengthen and guide me to uphold those guidelines.

Where did these certain men come from? What were they teaching the brethren?
Who disputed with them? What did they decide? Who did they plan to discuss this question with?
Who sent Paul and Barnabas off? What two places did they pass through on the way? What happened there?
What did Paul and Barnabas report to the apostles in Jerusalem when they arrived?
Were the Pharisee dissenters Christian believers?
What two things did the Pharisee group think the Gentile Christians needed to do?
Who came together to consider this matter?
Who spoke next?
Who did he say God had chosen to speak to the Gentiles a while ago?
How did God acknowledge the Gentiles’ faith?
Did God make any distinction between the Gentile and Jewish converts to Christianity?
How did Peter say they (the Pharisee Christians) were testing God?
How did Peter believe the Gentiles would be saved?
Who spoke next? What did they report?
Who then gave the closing argument?
What did James quote to support the idea that God had visited the Gentiles as well?
What was James’ final conclusion that they should tell the Gentile Christians? What four things would they ask the Gentiles not to do?
What was his final line of reasoning?

Thought Questions

What do you think the Pharisee Christians’ basis for their belief was? Were they trying to cause trouble, or did they have a reason for believing what they did?
Do you think the apostles handled the situation well? How do you think it would have played out in your church?
Does the conversion of non-Christians give you great joy? Why or why not?
Is it ever ok to dispute matters in the church? How can you dispute matters differently from how it is often done in the world?
What are some characteristics of the way the apostles handled this particular dispute that you can learn from?
Give examples from this chapter of how the apostles used the following in their discussion: personal opinions, Scripture quotations, and testimonies.
What four things were the Christians not allowed to do (verse 20)? Why did they choose those things? Do you think they were fair? What might be the application for our society today?
Do you think the restrictions imposed on you as a Christian are good, or do you fight them? Why?
How much do you respect the councils and authorities of your church body? Why or why not?

My prayer is:
That I would follow the example of the apostles in prayer, study of the Scriptures, and testimony of experience when working to handle disputes;
That I would have respect for the authorities of my church, and pray that they are seeking to solve disputes in the same manner;
And that I would understand that, even though we are freed through Christ, there are still certain lifestyle restrictions which are for my benefit and health, and that I should honor them to please God.