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Because we live in a fallen world, we cannot go long without encountering controversy or experiencing conflict. This is evident in the world at large, but we also find it in the church. The story of church history is, in part, a story of disagreements concerning all manner of issues, including issues of faith and practice.
Such disagreements did not first arise after the Apostles passed from the scene, but there were problems even during the Apostolic era. As we continue our study of the book of Acts this month, we will be looking at the first great controversy that the early church faced, which was the question of what to do with gentile believers. Acts 15 tells us that this issue was settled at the first great council of the church, the Jerusalem Council, when the Apostles gathered with the elders to discuss the matter.
Following our study of Acts 15, we will then make our way through Acts 16:1–17:21, where Luke recounts the history of Paul’s initial visit to Macedonia. On that trip, Paul planted churches in cities such as Philippi and Thessalonica before journeying to Athens to proclaim the truth there. His teaching as recorded in Acts and the letters to those churches continues to bless us today.
These verses parallel the themes of the studies each week. We encourage you to hide them in your heart so that you may not sin against the Lord:
Abiding in the Word
- 1 Chronicles 29:18
- 1 Timothy 4:14
- Acts 2:39
- Acts 17:16