Activity Early Church – Council of Jerusalem

In the 48 CE an issue arose in Antioch concerning the circumcision of non-Jews

as Christianity had started to grow in the area of Judea. Jesus had inspired
many with his message and there was discussion over whether new converts
to the Christian faith needed to be circumcised. The community, made up of
many different people from different religious backgrounds met with the
apostles and elders of the Jewish faith. It was decided that Paul’s and Titus’s
work as missionaries of the early Church was valuable, despite their not having
experienced the traditional Jewish child birth ritual.

Therefore a decision was made for missionary work to continue with Paul and
Barnabas (uncircumcised) who travelled to preach to pagans, and James,
Kephas and John (circumcised) who spread God’s word to the Jewish
community.

TASK 1: Read about the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15: 1-11.

What was Peter’s message? Record a summary below:

Peter said…

I think this was the right/wrong (choose one) because…

Peter’s message needed to reach vast numbers of people. In our modern

world, advertising reaches vast numbers of people. Choose Item A or B to
complete to show your understanding of the new content.

A: Create a billboard advertisement (image + slogan + contact details for more

information) proclaiming the most significant point in Peter’s address to the
Council of Jerusalem. It should be precise and catchy. Submit your poster to
your teacher

B: Write a newspaper report on the Council of Jerusalem. Use this online

template - http://www.makemynewspaper.com/free-newspaper-templates
Activity The Early Christian Community

After Jesus died, the early Christian community, including the disciples, were feeling
confused, upset and unsure of the future. Jesus was their light and guided them in every
way. They didn’t know how they would succeed in spreading the Word of God without him.

TASK 1: Find these scriptures and outline the WHO and WHAT of the texts
related to the early Christian community’s plight of sustaining their passion in
God.

WHO?? WHAT??

Acts 1: 12-26

Acts 5: 17-42

Acts 7: 54-8:3

Acts 4: 32-37

Acts 12: 1-5

Members of the early Christian Church showed determination and perseverance in their
work to do good in both word and deed, despite the enormous and numerous obstacles
they encountered.

TASK 2: Read Acts 4:32–34 and apply to the modern world. Present your
response as a collage.

(a) What benefits would result if all people lived like this?

(b) What are the difficulties in achieving the lifestyle it describes?

(c) How can young people contribute to the community in this way?