Jerusalem or Antioch

June 15, 2024 Study Guides

Sermon Study Guide

“Jerusalem or Antioch: Lessons from the Early Church”

Main Passage: Acts 1–15

How to Use This Study Guide

This study guide is designed to help you engage deeply with the message of the early Church’s contrasting models in Jerusalem and Antioch, as presented by Pastor Conrad Vine. You can use this guide in various settings:

Personal Bible Study: Reflect on the Scriptures and teaching points at your own pace, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart.
Small Group Discussion: Use the discussion questions to foster meaningful conversation and share insights with fellow believers.
Sabbath School Classes: Guide your class through the sessions to explore the practical and theological implications of the early Church’s experiences.
Family Worship: Share the lessons and applications in a family setting to grow together in faith and mission.

The sections of this study guide are marked with icons for easy reference:

📖 Scripture Focus: Key Bible verses to anchor each session.
💭 Teaching Points: Core ideas and explanations from Pastor Vine’s message.
❓ Discussion Questions: Thought-provoking prompts for group or personal reflection.
✍️ Personal Application: Practical steps to live out the truths learned.

Session 1: The Jerusalem Church Model (Acts 1–6)

Opening Scripture: “Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.” (Acts 3:1)

💭 Teaching Summary:

The Jerusalem Church was centered in the city where Jesus lived, died, and rose again. It was led by the apostles and elders, like James the Elder, and was overwhelmingly Jewish and Aramaic-speaking. This church maintained a strong connection to traditional Jewish customs, worshipping regularly in the temple and fellowshipping in believers’ homes.
At this stage, the church did not intend to form a new religion but existed as a sect within Judaism. The faith of its members was intertwined with obedience to the Torah, including circumcision and adherence to Mosaic law. Baptism was the entry point, but it was assumed that converts were already circumcised as Jewish believers.
The mission focus of the Jerusalem Church was primarily inward, directed toward fellow Jews in Palestine. Their theology was largely backward-looking, rooted in Old Testament prophecies and expectations of Israel’s restoration. They expected a mass conversion of Gentiles, but practical outreach to non-Jews was limited and only occurred under direct prompting by the Holy Spirit.
Socially and theologically, the Jerusalem Church was somewhat insular, cautious about crossing ethnic and religious boundaries. This defensiveness was reflected in their reluctance to embrace Gentile believers without full Torah compliance, creating tension with more open expressions of the faith.
While this model maintained continuity with the Jewish heritage of Jesus and the apostles, it was ultimately passive and reactionary, defined more by preserving tradition than by proactive mission.

❓ Discussion Questions:

What were some strengths and limitations of the Jerusalem Church’s focus on the Torah and Jewish customs?
How did the Jerusalem Church’s mission priorities shape their engagement with Gentile communities?
In what ways did their backward-looking theology affect their growth and openness to new believers?
Why might the Jerusalem Church have been reluctant to cross ethnic boundaries?
Can you identify any “Jerusalem Church” tendencies in our church or community today?

✍️ Personal Application:

Examine your own faith: Are there traditions or practices you hold onto that might hinder your openness to God’s new work?
Pray for a heart that honors God’s heritage but remains open to His leading beyond familiar boundaries.
Consider how you can support or engage in mission efforts that reach beyond your comfort zone or cultural background.

Session 2: The Antioch Church Model (Acts 11–15)

Opening Scripture: “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26)

💭 Teaching Summary:

Antioch was a diverse, Greek-speaking city without a temple, so the church met mainly in believers’ homes for worship and fellowship. It was ethnically mixed, including both Jewish and Gentile believers, and was led by figures like Paul and Barnabas, who embraced a forward-looking mission.
The Antioch Church broke with the Jerusalem model by welcoming Gentiles without requiring circumcision or full Torah compliance. Entry was by baptism alone, emphasizing faith in Jesus Christ rather than ethnic or legalistic prerequisites.
This church model was proactive and mission-oriented. They intentionally sent out missionaries, like Paul and Barnabas, to spread the gospel across the Roman Empire, crossing cultural, religious, and geographic boundaries with confidence that the gospel was for all people.
The Antioch Church embodied grace and the leading of the Holy Spirit. They listened carefully to God’s guidance through prayer and fasting, adapting their methods and teachings as God revealed new insights in the mission field.
Despite challenges and opposition, the Antioch model prevailed historically, representing the future-oriented, inclusive, and dynamic nature of the growing Christian movement that transcended ethnic and institutional boundaries.

❓ Discussion Questions:

How did the Antioch Church’s diverse makeup influence their understanding of mission and fellowship?
What role did the Holy Spirit play in shaping the Antioch Church’s outreach and decisions?
Why was the Antioch model more open to Gentiles than the Jerusalem Church?
How do the principles of the Antioch Church challenge us to be more inclusive and mission-focused today?
What tensions existed between the Jerusalem and Antioch churches, and how were they addressed?

✍️ Personal Application:

Pray for a Spirit-led openness to new people and new ways God may be working in your community.
Engage in cross-cultural or outreach activities that stretch your comfort zone and demonstrate inclusive love.
Seek to hear God’s voice daily through prayer and the Scriptures to guide your witness and service.

Session 3: Comparing the Two Models—Jerusalem and Antioch

Opening Scripture: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

💭 Teaching Summary:

The Jerusalem Church focused on faithfulness to the past—preserving Jewish laws, temple worship, and ethnic identity. It was passive and reactive, anxious about change and guarding boundaries carefully. This led to institutionalization and stagnation, which eventually caused decline.
In contrast, the Antioch Church was future-oriented, actively pursuing mission and growth. They embraced risk, diversity, and innovation in ministry, guided by grace and the Holy Spirit rather than strict legalism.
Jerusalem’s model was characterized by ethnic homogeneity and theological conservatism, while Antioch welcomed ethnic diversity and theological flexibility. The Antioch Church was the birthplace of the term “Christian” and the launching pad for global mission.
The tensions between these two approaches reflect a timeless balance within the Church: the need for order and tradition versus the call to be Spirit-led and mission-focused. Healthy churches tend to have elements of both but thrive when they lean toward the Antioch model.
Pastor Vine challenges us to examine our own congregations and personal faith journeys, encouraging a shift toward Antioch’s openness, grace, and active mission to remain alive and growing in today’s world.

❓ Discussion Questions:

What are the dangers of being a “Jerusalem Church” today? How might legalism or fear of change hinder growth?
How can churches balance respect for tradition with the need to be Spirit-led and mission-focused?
In what ways can your church or personal faith journey lean more toward the Antioch model?
What lessons can we learn from the Antioch Church about crossing cultural and social boundaries?
How does being part of a diverse and mission-driven church encourage spiritual growth?

✍️ Personal Application:

Reflect on your church’s current focus: Is it more inward or outward? Pray and discuss with leaders ways to foster a mission mindset.
Identify any “walls” or boundaries you personally hold that might block the flow of the gospel to others, and seek God’s help to overcome them.
Commit to supporting or participating in ministries that reach across cultures, social classes, or traditions.

Session 4: Motives for Mission and the Heart of the Gospel

Opening Scripture: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

💭 Teaching Summary:

Pastor Vine outlines various motives for mission: the conversion motive focuses on saving souls; the eschatological motive emphasizes preparing for Christ’s return; the church planting motive aims to build congregations; and the philanthropic motive works for justice and alleviation of suffering. Each has value but also limitations if held exclusively.
The ultimate motive is agape love—self-sacrificing love that compels us to serve others because of Christ’s love for us. This love flows naturally from a heart transformed by God, not from obligation or strategy alone.
True mission arises from compassion for the lost and a desire to see God’s kingdom advance, not merely from duty or programmatic goals. This love leads us to build genuine friendships and trust, opening doors for the gospel.
Pastor Vine encourages believers to daily engage with Jesus’ teachings and ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in applying them. Living as faithful disciples means reflecting Christ’s character so vividly that others see Jesus in us.
The gospel commission calls us to make disciples, proclaim forgiveness, receive the Holy Spirit, and be witnesses even when it costs us socially or personally. Living out these commands requires grace, courage, and an enduring heart of love.

❓ Discussion Questions:

Of the motives for mission mentioned, which resonate most with you? Which might you need to develop further?
How does agape love differ from other motives for ministry?
What practical ways can you cultivate a heart of compassion toward those who do not know Christ?
How can daily engagement with Jesus’ teachings transform your witness and service?
What does being a “living witness” look like in your context?

✍️ Personal Application:

Choose one teaching of Jesus to meditate on each morning this week and ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to live it out.
Look for opportunities to build genuine friendships with people from different backgrounds.
Reflect on your motivation for mission and ask God to deepen your love and compassion for the lost.

Session 5: Proclaiming the Gospel—Who Is Jesus and Why It Matters

Opening Scripture: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15)

💭 Teaching Summary:

Pastor Vine emphasizes the centrality of Jesus’ identity as the Divine Son of God. Jesus is unique—neither just a prophet, a lesser deity, nor merely a human teacher. This truth is the foundation of the gospel and the dividing line of faith.
The proclamation of Jesus as the unique source of life and salvation is essential. He is outside time and space, the Creator of all, and the only way to the Father. This exclusivity is why many reject Him, yet it is the heart of Christian faith.
Salvation is by grace through faith, not by perfect obedience to the law. We are saved when we receive Jesus’ righteousness as a gift, trusting in His sacrifice and transformation of our hearts daily.
God’s salvation is both inclusive—He desires all to be saved—and exclusive—salvation is found only in Jesus. This paradox challenges us to proclaim the gospel clearly and lovingly.
Finally, Pastor Vine challenges each believer to prepare a clear, concise gospel presentation that they can share anytime. Being ready to witness is part of living as an Antioch-style disciple—Spirit-led, courageous, and relational.

❓ Discussion Questions:

Why is the question “Who do you say that I am?” so crucial for faith?
How does understanding Jesus’ divinity shape our mission and witness?
In what ways does grace-based salvation affect your confidence in Christ?
How can we balance the inclusive desire of God to save all with the exclusive claim of salvation through Jesus?
Are you prepared to share the gospel clearly and simply with others? What might help you grow in this area?

✍️ Personal Application:

Write out your own 30-second gospel presentation based on what you believe and pray for opportunities to share it.
Reflect on Jesus’ unique identity and ask God to deepen your understanding and love for Him.
Live daily by grace through faith, trusting Jesus’ righteousness to sustain you.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the rich lessons from the early Church, for the example of Jerusalem’s faithfulness and Antioch’s boldness. Help us to be a church and individuals who, like Antioch, are Spirit-led, mission-focused, and overflowing with Your agape love. Teach us to proclaim clearly who Jesus is—the Divine Son of God and our only Savior—and to live as faithful witnesses in our daily lives. Fill us with the Holy Spirit’s power to cross boundaries, build genuine friendships, and serve our communities with compassion and grace. May our hearts be so changed by Your love that the gospel flows freely through us, drawing many to You. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.