Their Conflicts Within and Without: Acts 15:30-41

Discussion Questions

Acts 15 describes two accounts of conflict in v. 2 and v. 39. The first conflict starts with “some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees” and involves the apostles and elders (vv. 1-35). The second conflict occurs between Paul and Barnabas (vv. 36-41). What is the main issue at the Jerusalem Council? What is the issue between Paul and Barnabas?

What decision was reached in the first conflict? What principles shaped the decision-making in vv. 1-35? Who influenced the decision? (See v. 28.)

What decision was reached in the second conflict? What can we guess about the character of Paul, Barnabas, John Mark and Silas? What do you think drove Paul’s decision and what drove Barnabas’ decision? Does Luke take a side?

How are these two conflicts different? Why do you think Luke included these conflicts back-to-back?

In light of Acts 6 where seven men are selected to serve tables and two of them (Stephen and Philip) end up doing something quite different, are there any surprises with how this decision plays out too?

(Consider the following references, including possible mentions of John Mark: Acts 9:26-30; Acts 13:2-13; Acts 12:25; Col. 4:10; 1 Cor. 9:6; 2 Tim. 4:11, Gal. 2:11-14; Gal. 1:8-10, Philem. 24; 1 Pet. 5:12-14.)

See pages 4-5 of our Oct. 20 bulletin for a helpful timeline of Acts.