Exploring the Book of Acts: Leadership as ServanthoodPrøve

Mutuality

The relationship between the church in Jerusalem and the church in Antioch provides a compelling picture of mutuality and reciprocity. Though the church in Jerusalem did not intentionally plant a church among the Gentiles in Antioch, when they received news of how the gospel was spreading in that large city, they immediately sent Barnabas to encourage and teach the new believers (Acts 11: 20-24). In time, the Antioch church sent money to provide relief from famine to the believers in Jerusalem and Judea (Acts 11:27-30). Later, unauthorised believers from Jerusalem created turmoil in Antioch by calling the Gentiles’ salvation into question. Acts 15:1-35 reveals how the mutual regard and reciprocal servanthood established at the beginning of their relationship was extended during a significant crisis.

Read Acts 15:1-35 and then consider:

1. Why did some of the Jewish Christians insist that the Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses? What was at stake in this debate?
2. What was the church in Antioch’s posture towards the church in Jerusalem? What were they hoping for in sending a delegation to Jerusalem?
3. How did the leaders in Jerusalem respond to the delegation? How did they handle the controversy? What were their motivations?
4. Why were Judas and Silas sent to accompany the delegation as it returned to Antioch? How did their presence demonstrate care and servanthood from the leaders in Jerusalem?