Foundation Church

In these verses we see the new Christian community in Jerusalem struggling with the Gentiles new-found reconciliation to God apart from adhering to Jewish ritual purity laws. Peter recounts how he came to a fuller understanding of the new means by which a sinful people are now able to stand in God's presence - by grace, through faith. Discipleship Questions: 1. Describe a time when you felt particularly close to God and the circumstances surrounding it. 2. In verse 3, the primary criticism of Peter is that he "...went to uncircumcised men and ate with them." Why would that be a point of contention in this community? 3. In verse 18, Peter's critics appear to have resolved the tension–in their own minds–between the Gentiles reconciliation to God apart from adhering to Jewish ritual purity laws. What new insight enabled this change in their understanding? 4. How might a deeper understanding of the closeness you have with God through Christ change how you respond to difficult circumstances? to favorable ci