“Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy — The Great Transition, The Glorious Sweep of God’s Abundant Grace — Conflicts and Concessions Lead to Paul’s Second Missionary Journey (Acts Chapter 15)”

Chapter 15 opens with this leading statement:  “And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.  When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.” Acts 15:1-2.  Peter explained how he was convinced of this great work of Almighty God by signs and wonders and that those proved God’s open door to the west to Gentiles by grace WITHOUT requirements such as Jewish circumcision.  An agreement was reached to send a letter by Paul and his associates to the Gentile churches outlining a few principles the Gentile converts should practice to maintain order with believing Jews in those cities.  After returning to Antioch, and after much discussion, Barnabas departs to Cyprus carrying this letter and Paul and Silas, his new companion, begin the Second Missionary Journey to the cities in Asia Minor where the churches had been established during the First Journey.  Grace reigns, independently of Israel’s conversion!