Acts chapter 15 v 36-41: V36:  Some time later, Paul speaks to Barnabas of revisiting the churches founded on their previous journey, to see how they are and encourage them. In this we see a real concern for their continuing spiritual welfare and growth. V37:  Barnabas, ever the great encourager, wants to take John Mark with them…

Acts chapter 15 v 30-35: V30-31:  So they come to Antioch, and deliver the letter to the church there, who are greatly encouraged and rejoice in this clarity. It emphasises that the church is One in Christ – there are not to be separate and distinct ” Jewish and Gentile” groups, or terms of faith….

Acts chapter 15 v 23-29: V23:  They bear a letter from the church, with the authority of the Apostles and Elders, welcoming the Gentile believers in Antioch and the other churches planted as brothers ( and sisters ) in  Christ, and greeting them warmly. V24:  It emphasises that those men who came to Antioch and demanded…

Acts chapter 15 v 19-22: V19-20:  So James, clearly as led by the Holy Spirit, gives his judgement. Gentiles who trust in Christ are not to be burdened with the demands of the Law, but are exhorted to put away any trace of their pagan background, it’s idolatry and lifestyle, and also to avoid eating what…

Acts chapter 15 v 12-18: V12:  All fall silent, as Barnabas and Paul ( an unusual return to the ” original order” in which they were first linked together ) tell how God has blessed and sealed their ministry to many Gentiles. V13-14:  After they speak, James, as leader of the Jerusalem church, sums up…

Acts chapter 15 v5-11: V5:  Despite the general welcome from the Jerusalem church, Paul and Barnabas now face critical opposition from ” some believers …of the party of the Pharisees.” They are called believers, but they are still caught up in their legalistic background, and say that Gentile converts need to accept circumcision and the…

Acts chapter 15 v1-4:   V1:  The issue of how Gentiles are to be received and accepted by the ( original ) Jewish believers remained a contentious one.Some Jews from Judea arrive in Antioch, telling the Gentiles there that they must become “Jewish” to be saved, receiving circumcision and coming under the Jewish laws. This was,…

Acts chapter 14 v 24-28:   V24:  They return then through Pisidia and Pamphilia. The encouragement of the believers in Antioch must actually have taken place at this stage, though summed up with the other churches in the previous verses. V25-26:  They preach in Perga, though nothing is recorded of the outcome of their ministry…

Acts chapter 14 v 19-23:    V19:  Everything changes, with the arrival of antagonistic Jews from Antioch in Pisidia and Iconium, who must have pursued the missionaries from their own district, such is their bitterness against the Gospel. They turn the crowds against them, and Paul in particular, whom they drag outside the city and stone…

Acts chapter 14 v 14-18:   V14:  Paul and Barnabas are horrified – as servants of the living God to whom alone belongs the glory. V15:  They seek to stop the crowds, protesting that they are only mortal men like these Lystrans – but declaring they bring them a message of ” good news” –…