CHILDREN STS LESSON 49 THE DECISION OF THE COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM
Acts 15:1-41
Paul was an apostle, teacher, pastor and a great man of God who went everywhere preaching the love of Jesus to sinners. As Paul and the other friends of Jesus preached the gospel, many sinners were saved, including Gentiles. The believers were happy for the new converts. However, the Pharisees among them were bent on confusing the new converts. This sect taught that the salvation of sinners was not complete until they were circumcised. The Pharisees also argued that Moses’ laws were of God, therefore, were unchangeable. With this new development, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to attend a council meeting to clear up the issue and come to a decision. The elders at Jerusalem then met together and decided to write a letter to the new converts.
When you do not understand any part of the Bible, you must ask your Christian parents and godly teachers to explain it to you. The contents of the letter confirm that salvation is free and is by the grace of God. Jesus has paid the price for the salvation of all men irrespective of race, language, age and gender. God has no favourite, He loves everyone and desires that we all repent, turn from our sins and be saved. The people were happy with the elders’ conclusion and they all continued their divine assignment of preaching the gospel. If you are a sinner, know that the door of salvation is open. Repent, accept Jesus as your Personal Saviour and Lord and serve Him all the days of your life.
DISAGREEMENTS ON THE SUBJECT OF CEREMONIAL LAWS
Acts 15: 1-5
In every nation, there are laws to guide and control the ways of the citizens. Anyone that goes against these laws will be punished or even killed depending on the extent of the offense committed. God, through Moses, gave laws to the children of Israel when they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land. The laws were to guide their behaviour and relationship with God and with one another. The observance of these laws became more important than obedience to God’s inspired word and will. That is why the laws became ceremonial. These laws were read at every religious gathering, the Pharisees who were the teachers were more interested in outward observance of the law than doing the will of God.
They often condemn and judge others. As the apostles continued to preach the gospel, many sinners in the Gentile nation believed and were saved. However, some Pharisees who had also become real Christians came round to insist that the Gentiles in the church must be circumcised. This led to a lot of argument. Therefore, the church sent Paul and Barnabas to go to the headquarter church at Jerusalem to present the matter to the elders and founding fathers of the church.
Christian boys and girls must make it a point of duty to always ask questions about biblical things that they cannot understand. Never you judge others but accept other born-again Christians as your brothers and sisters. God does not want us to just listen to His word and live as pretenders. We are to hear and obey God’s word. To be able to do this, you must have been saved by grace.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION OF THE CHURCH COUNCIL
Acts 15: 4-29
The church council was made up of the remaining original disciples of Jesus with Peter as the leader. We also have the brothers of Jesus who became real followers of Christ after His death and resurrection. They were in the Jerusalem Church which was the world headquarters of the New Testament believers at that time. As a result of the argument and disagreement on the superiority of grace over circumcision, Apostle Paul and Barnabas were sent from the church at Antioch to go to Jerusalem. Remember, it was at Antioch that the believers were first referred to as Christians (Acts 11:26). These people could have settled the matter, but because they had great regard for the leaders, they went there to seek counsel. Children must not take rash decisions on things they have no authority to do. Always seek counsel from your pastors, godly teachers and parents (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22).
The elders at Jerusalem received the reports, listened to the parties and through the power of the Holy Ghost, made their decisions.
(i) The need for all believers whether Jews or Gentiles to abstain from pollution of idols and all sinful lifestyles. This means total freedom from sin.
(ii) The necessity of accepting and accommodating all believers irrespective of their tribe or background.
(iii) Emphasis should be on the superiority of grace over ceremonial laws.
This is the summary of the decision from Jerusalem and the word of God. Grace is the unmerited favour we receive that leads a sinner to salvation. Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour has fully paid the price for our salvation. We need no other arguments or ceremony. All a sinner is required to do is to accept the grace of God by Faith. If you are still a sinner, come to Jesus now by faith. Repent and ask God to forgive and cleanse your heart with the blood of Jesus. Then ask Jesus to come into your life to be your Lord, Saviour and friend.
DETERMINATION TO CONTINUE PREACHING THE GOSPEL
Acts 15:36; 9:1-6,10-20
Apostle Paul and his team left Jerusalem with the letter from the council, and back to Antioch. They read the decision of the church council to the brethren and they were all happy. There was no more argument, everyone accepted the decision as God’s counsel. Children must set their hearts to receive the word of God, meditate on it and obey without argument. Apostle Paul continued his assignment of preaching the gospel to every creature fulfilling the great commission. He had other friends of Jesus like B0arnabas and John Mark working with him. Paul did the work with his whole heart.
All he wanted to do was to bring people to Jesus. He was a worthy servant of God, whose thoughts were only about heaven and how to get people there. Many people became friends of Jesus through his preaching. Friends of Jesus are expected to do the same today. After some time, Paul told Barnabas that they needed to visit their friends. Barnabas wanted John Mark to go with them but Paul refused because John Mark left them and did not complete the first journey with them. So, Paul separated from Barnabas and went with Silas to Syria while Barnabas went with John Mark to Cyprus. They did not just go to preach or visit, they made sure that they read the word of God, prayed and even fasted wherever they went. They did so because they knew that they could not experience success in the work without God. The preaching of the gospel is still ongoing. Do not be left out. Join the church to promote evangelism and spread of the good news. Many blessings await faithful boys and girls.
QUESTIONS
- What caused the argument among the believers?
- What is the meaning of ceremonial laws?
- How did Paul and his team handle the matter?
- What were the decisions of the council?
- What did Paul do after leaving Jerusalem?
- How can a sinner be saved by Grace?
MEMORY VERSE
“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” (Acts 15:28,29)
LESSON
Salvation is a free gift of God and not by the merit of our good works.
THOUGHT
I will be saved through God’s provision of grace.
ACTIVITY
Children should discuss and outline four things which the grace of God can do in their lives.
HOME-WORK
Pray for the grace to remain with Christ forever and to tell of His grace to other children.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG
GHS 129 “GRACE GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN”
CHORUSES
- The grace of God is sufficient unto me.
- If you do good, there is kingdom.
- I am for Jesus, Jesus alone; I am for Jesus my Redeemer.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of the following words. You can use your dictionary.
- Circumcision
- Ceremonial
- Unmerited
- Grace
- Supremacy
