The life of Apostle Paul by Clint Davison
Teacher
Lesson Summary
The class opened by revisiting Acts 14:27‑28, where Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch after their first missionary journey and shared how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. The teacher highlighted the celebratory atmosphere in Antioch before the next conflict arose: a group of believers from Jerusalem insisted that Gentile converts must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses, as outlined in Acts 15:1‑5. By comparing this dispute with Peter’s earlier encounter with the Gentile centurion Cornelius (Acts 11:1‑2) and Paul’s own argument in Galatians 2, the lesson illustrated the early church’s struggle to define the relationship between the Mosaic covenant and the new covenant in Christ. The discussion emphasized that the Jerusalem council was not merely a theological debate but a pivotal moment that shaped the mission strategy of Paul and the broader church. The teacher explained how Paul’s approach—affirming freedom from the law for Gentile believers—set the stage for the second missionary journey and the continued spread of the gospel. The class concluded with prayers for wisdom and application of Paul’s example in today’s faith community.
Key Scriptures
But some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
Being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.