Is Paul Against Israel? Paul meets with the elders of the church in Jerusalem. They express concerns over how the unbelieving Jewish community views Paul. Paul agrees to a course of action.
Faith in God, Love for People
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Who’s guarding the sheep? Paul ends his farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus by urging them to be vigilant. They must devote themselves to feeding and protecting the flock God has given them to.
Last Words As Paul continues his journey toward Jerusalem, he says farewell to the elders from the church in Ephesus. He realizes he may never see them again.
Sleeping during preaching? In Troas, Paul faced another difficulty as a young man fell asleep and fell from an upper window to the ground below. He was taken up dead to the great distress of the church there, but the story was not over.
What should the Gentiles do? The church in Jerusalem concluded they should write a letter to the Gentiles in the other churches that affirms the truth of the Gospel they heard from Paul. Circumcision and law keeping are not required for salvation. Paul and Barnabas gladly take the letter back to Antioch.
What is happening? The spread of Gospel to the Gentiles was not in itself surprising, but the pouring out of the promised Spirit on uncircumcised Gentiles caught many Jews by surprise. Some even objected. Finally, James addressed the meeting that what was happening was in line with prior Scripture revelation.
Returning Home Paul and Barnabas head back to Antioch in Syria to the church that sent them out. They go back to the churches they have planted and strengthen them and see to appointing elders in each church.
Where to now? By the end of chapter 12, Acts takes on a different focus. Peter and the ministry in Jerusalem is no longer the focus. Beginning with chapter 13, Luke focuses on the Gospel going to the Gentiles in the larger world. This mission begins with Paul and Barnabas and the church in Antioch.
What’s Next? The church at Jerusalem spread out and spread the Gospel. By this point, new churches have been planted and where do they go from here? Chapter 11 closes with a focus on the church at Antioch–the church about to become the launching point of the worldwide mission of the Gospel.
Can that really happen? Peter and his companions were surprised by events in Caesarea, but God wasn’t. Peter faced objections back home with the church in Jerusalem. He retells the account, highlighting the work of God and the Spirit, in order to bring them along to the conclusion he reached.