“Conference in Jerusalem”
From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania: The Book of Acts
January 8, 2012
Acts 15:1-35
After a brief holiday break, we now return to our study of the book of Acts which we are calling, “From Jerusalem to Pennsylvania.”
Jesus told his disciples that they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth – which is where we now live!
And we’ve watched as the gospel has gone out. Starting with a bang at Pentecost in Jerusalem and then slowly but surely moving outward. Up to Samaria and then the establishing of that great missionary church in Antioch in Syria.
And, when we last left off, that Antioch church had sent Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey? Do you remember that?
Paul and Barnabas (and John Mark) had left Antioch, gone to Cyprus, gone to Perga. John Mark bailed on them there. Then Paul and Barnabas had gone to Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.
And they encountered trouble at every spot. Sometimes they were taken for gods, but most of the time, they met with riots and had to leave in a hurry.
But they also established churches among the Gentiles!
And then they got back home and gave their report.
That’s where we left off last time.
The first missionary journey was wildly successful, especially among Gentiles.
Gentiles were turning to the Lord in good numbers.
And that’s exciting for us because, guess what we are? Gentiles.
In fact, the gospel is growing so much at this point that it won’t be long until the church is full of Gentiles, and Jews become a minority!
That was unthinkable at the beginning. The church was almost all Jewish, some weere Hebrew speaking, some were Greek speaking–but they were all Jews.
And then, we had those Samaritan half-breeds and that Ethiopian official. And then Cornelius. And then the folks up in the international church of Antioch.
And now this. Gentiles are coming in in droves!
And that presents a problem.
You might think that everyone would be happy that this is happening.
But not everyone is happy. There are, in fact, some people who are very unhappy.
And they present a problem to the church.
And the problem can only be solved by holding a big conference.
“Conference in Jerusalem.”
Acts 15 is pretty much the center of the book of Acts. We’ve read about half of it, and now, we’ll head into the second half.
This is a “hinge” chapter, moving from the first baby steps of the newborn church to reaching out across the whole Roman world.
But first, they’ve got to get this question settled:
“What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?”
What does it take for a Gentile to truly become a real Christian?
And the answer affects us today, doesn’t it?
Because we’re all Gentiles.
What does it truly take for a Gentile, like you and me, to become a Christian?
And to settle that question, they had a big conference...back in Jerusalem.
Conference in Jerusalem.
This chapter has often been called the “Jerusalem Council.”
And that’s because they hold an important meeting, a council or a conference in Jerusalem to settle the question, “What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?”
What do you think the answer is?
What do you think the possible answers were?
Acts chapter 15 verse 1 exposes the problem.
Verse 1.
“Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’”
Aha.
Do you see the problem?
Folks from the “home office” visited the great church in Antioch and brought some teaching. And the teaching was, “Unless you are circumcised [this is for the men], according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’”
Circumcision was the mark of the covenant that was the sign and symbol of belonging to the people of God in the Old Testament.
It was given by God and encoded in the law of Moses.
And these men came from the home office saying that the Gentiles needed to do that to be genuine Christians.
In other words, to become a Christian, you first had to become a Jew.
You had to take on circumcision which was a marker of taking on the law of Moses.
And these guys didn’t just say that it was a good idea.
They said, “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
And those are fighting words. V.2
“This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.”
I’ll bet it did.
Paul and Barnabas did not agree.
And they could not stay quiet about it.
Were Paul and Barnabas circumcised?
Of course, they were.
Was it bad to be circumcised?
No way. It was good! But was it required to be saved?
Was it true that “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”
No way.
So there is a church rumble going down.
Paul and Barnabas will not allow this teaching to go unanswered.
The gospel is at stake.
What are they going to do about it?
You know, it might be that the apostles are teaching this down in Jerusalem.
These guys who came to the church in Antioch were from Judea. What are they teaching down there? V.2
“So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”
They need to have a conference. This has got to be settled. V.3
“The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.”
They don’t wait to make their case. As they work their way to Jerusalem, they tell everybody the good news about the Gentiles conversions.
And then (v.4), “When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.”
And then, they had their debate. V.5
“Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.’”
This is how they answered the question, “What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?”
Their answer, “It takes circumcision and obedience to the law of Moses.”
It’s not surprising that these men were Pharisees.
They are also believers in Jesus.
These are not guys who are denying that Jesus is the Christ.
They believe that!
These men believe that Jesus is the Christ.
But was Jesus was a Jew. They are Jews. Salvation is from the Jews.
And they think that to become a Christian, you must become a Jew first.
Christians are just Messianic Jews, right? So to be a true Christian, you must come into Judaism. Circumcision and the Law of Moses. Right?
The question is not whether or not Gentiles can be saved.
Of course, they can. But must they also be circumcised to be saved?
“Yes,” say the Pharisees in the church.
“No,” say Paul and Barnabas.
What will everyone else say?
V.6 “The apostles and elders met to consider this question.”
I love it.
This was worthy of discussion. Of debate. Of listening to both sides and considering the question.
And then coming up with an answer that was right and wise and loving and faithful to the gospel. They held their conference at Jerusalem.
We don’t know how long they talked or all of what they said. It might have gone on for days and days.
But eventually, it was time to settle the question.
And that happened through 3 speeches.
The first was from Simon Peter. Verse 7.
“After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. [What’s he talking about? He’s talking about Cornelius. Acts 10. That vision of the pork picnic that God gave to Peter and then the conversion of Cornelius and his household. They knew that that was God’s work. V.8] God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. [I love that phrase.] Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?”
What’s he mean there? He’s talking about the law.
Is the law good? Yes.
Have the Jews kept it? No.
Why would you want to put the Mosaic law on the backs of the Gentiles if you didn’t have to? V.11
“No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
A. GRACE.
What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?
Just one thing, according to Peter.
Grace.
“We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all our sin.
And grace ALONE.
Not works of the law.
Not circumcision.
Grace.
Now, this is immensely important for you and me today.
But it doesn’t seem like it.
If I were a betting man, I’d be willing to bet a boatload of money that no one here has been worried about whether or not they need to be circumcised to become a Christian.
Or even if they must submit themselves to everything in the law of Moses from tassels on the garments to the sacrificial system.
I’ll bet no one read Leviticus this week wondering if they were truly a Christian because they haven’t done everything in that book.
So, at first glance, it seems like we aren’t tempted by the first answer to the question.
But, how many of us flirted with some other form of it instead of embracing grace?
Last week, I told you about my testimony of being a “good boy.”
I was trusting in my niceness and my rule-keeping.
Not the law of Moses, but the law of mom, the law of the school, the law of good-little-boyness.
That’s not grace.
Any answer to this question, “What does it take for a Gentile to become a Christian?” that isn’t, “God’s grace in Jesus Christ alone,” is the wrong answer and is no gospel at all.
Our adult Sunday School classes wrestled through Galatians together this Fall, and we discovered this same thing.
There is legalism lurking everywhere. You must obey this law to be a Christian.
You must be circumcised.
You must be baptized.
You must be a part of our church.
You must follow the ten commandments.
You must give a certain percentage of your money.
You must be religious.
You must attend these classes.
You must practice these religious rituals.
You must climb this religious ladder.
You must do this or do that.
Legalism spells salvation, “D-O.” Do.
True Christianity spells salvation, “D-O-N-E.” Done.
That’s grace. God’s riches at Christ’s expense.
God’s unmerited favor.
God’s unearned blessing on sinners.
That’s what I said last week happened to me when I gave my testimony.
Is that your testimony, as well?
By the way, I still want a goodly number of people to give their testimonies in 2012 here at church. Talk to me if you are willing to do it.
It doesn’t have to be long. It just needs to be about grace.
Peter says, “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
There is not one plan of salvation for the Jews and another for the Gentiles.
It is the same for both. Grace. God’s free gift.
Amen?
Are you trusting in God’s grace?
The wonderful grace of Jesus?
It is the only way to be saved.
Don’t listen to the lies of the world telling you to do it this way, do it that way.
Believe the gospel that it is already done.
Jesus did it for you.
Grace.
Here’s something interesting. This is the last time that the apostle Peter appears in the book of Acts.
He’s got more to do and to say in the epistles.
But this is it in the book of Acts.
The last thing he says is “We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
Now, the second speech is made. This is a joint-speech between Barnabas and Paul. V.12
“The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.”
I think that is so cool.
Isn’t it cool how respectful they are of one another and how respectful and in awe they are as they hear what God has done?
Next Sunday, we’re in for a treat. We’re going to have a report from Henoc Lucien in Sunday School at 9am and a sermon at 10am and luncheon with him at noon.
Henoc has been planting churches and pastoring churches and nurturing Christians for decades now.
Last weekend, Henoc did a joint wedding of 10 couples. They have recently been saved and convicted of the sin of living together outside of marriage.
And they all got married at the same time. Isn’t that awesome?
And the same weekend, they had 55 baptisms. We had 10 last year, and we thought that was great.
Isn’t it awesome what God is doing? Come out next Sunday and hear more about it from Henoc.
These folks listened intensely to Barnabas and Paul give their report.
And it was a report about God saving Gentiles by grace.
One more speech and the conference will come to its conclusion. V.13
“When they finished, James spoke up...”
James is a Jew. James is like the pastor of the Jerusalem church.
I think he’s calling for a vote and summing up everything that has been said.
And he calls for something of a compromise. Not a compromise of the gospel, but a solution that protects the gospel of grace and at the same time is careful to care for the Jews in the equation. V.13.
“When they finished, James spoke up: ‘Brothers, listen to me. Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things that have been known for ages.”
In other words, it’s biblical. The Gentiles were always supposed to come in.
This is a quote from Amos, chapter 9. “I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent.” That’s talking about the Messiah. That’s talking about Jesus.
And the Christ will come to rebuild that tent so that the remnant (the faithful Jews) may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name. Not the Gentiles that bear the Law, but those who bear the name. Who believe in the Christ.
Who put their faith in the grace of our Lord.
So, James says, (v.19), “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”
Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
Now, I think what’s going on there is what I’m going to call GENTLENESS.
It is sensitivity. It is carefulness with convictions and consciences.
James proposes that they send a letter to the new Gentiles coming into Christianity telling them to watch out for idolatry and other things associated with idolatry and those things which would make it really hard for a Jewish Christian to relate to a Gentile Christian.
Now, of course, they should refrain from idolatry itself. And from sexual immorality, especially that kind that comes with idol worship.
But it would also be good to avoid food that is dedicated to idols and from meat that is clearly against the kosher food laws that the Jews will practice. Meat strangled and from meat that hasn’t had the blood drained like Moses taught us to.
Why? V.21 again, “For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
There are lots of Jews everywhere. Don’t alienate them if possible.
There are lots of people reading Leviticus. Don’t alienate them if you can help it.
This law of Moses is a good thing. Don’t flaunt your freedom in front of people who are your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Be gentle. Be careful.
Most Christians Jews in this period are going to feel kind of dirty associating with Christian ... Gentiles.
Gentiles just seem dirty. They seem attached to paganism. Idolatry.
If you could just keep away from all of that, it would really help matters.
Now, is James saying that they must be circumcised and obey the Law of Moses?
No! He is saying that the gospel is all about grace.
But grace makes us gracious.
Grace teaches us gentleness and sensitivity and carefulness with those who have different convictions than we do.
I love how careful everyone is in this story with each other.
There is so much love in this chapter. Everyone except the strident legalists are incredibly careful to be gentle and respectful of one another. See? Verse 22.
“Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) [son of the Sabbath, that’s a Jew for you!] and Silas [we’ll hear more about him soon], two men who were leaders among the brothers. With them they sent the following letter: [Quote] The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul–men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell. [End Quote.]
Nothing in there about circumcision. It’s just a “be careful with others” letter.
And it calls these Christians, “brothers.”
And they don’t just send the letter. They send people. I think that is so gentle, so thoughtful, so careful.
People are precious, friends.
And we need to be gentle with them as much as possible.
We need to be firm and unshakeable on the gospel of grace.
But gracious with people.
Is there someone in your life right now that you need to extend gentleness to?
V.30 “The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.”
Here’s my last G-word for applying today’s message.
GLADNESS.
Did you notice how much joy there is in this story today?
Verse 3 - “this news made all the brothers very glad.”
Verse 12 - “The whole assembly became silent”
Verse 31 - “The people read it and were glad for its encouraging mesage.”
Verse 32 - “Judas and Silas ... said much to encourage and strengthen the brothrs.”
Verse 33 - “Sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace...”
The gospel of grace not only makes us gentle.
It should make us joyful.
And full of gladness.
You know if a church has got the gospel if they have love for one another and joy in their hearts.
Over the holidays Heather and I got have dinner with another couple who is planting a church out in Ohio.
And it was a chance for us to brag on you.
I love telling people about our church.
We are not perfect. In fact, our church is full of sinners.
But there is grace here.
And it has made us gentle with each other to a great degree.
There is a real concern for unity here.
Just like these brothers trying to protect the gospel and their relationships and bridge unity between Jew and Gentile.
And willing to listen to each other and even sent men places to make sure there is gospel unity.
And there is joy here.
I got to tell this church planter and his wife that it’s a joy to be your pastor.
Because I know that this church family knows grace.
Matt’s Books Completed in 2011:
1. Little Pear by Eleanor Lattimore
2. The Greet Wheel by Robert Lawson
3. Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark
4. Favorite Poems of Childhood edited by Philip Smith
5. Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt
6. A Way with Words by Christin Ditchfield
7. Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald
8. On Writing Well by William Zinsser
9. Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester
10. Leading from the Sandbox by T.J. Addington
11. The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
12. Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
13. Not the Way It’s Supposed To Be by Cornelius Plantinga, Jr.
14. A Serrated Edge by Douglas Wilson
15. Greek Myths by Heather Amery
16. Gone But Not Lost: Grieving the Death of a Child by David Wiersbe
17. Scorpion Tongues: Gossip, Celebrity, and American Politics by Gail Collins
18. Lieutenant Hornblower by C.S. Forester
19. 100 Cupboards by N.D. Wilson
20. The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr
21. Dandelion Fire by N.D. Wilson
22. The Chestnut King by N.D. Wilson
23. Hornblower and the Hotspur by C.S. Forester
24. Follow My Leader by James Garfield
25. Hornblower During the Crisis by C.S. Forester
26. Believer’s Baptism ed. by Thomas Schreiner and Shawn Wright
27. George Whitefield (vol 1) by Arnold Dallimore
28. Radical by David Platt
29. When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up by Michael Sedler
30. Beat to Quarters by C.S. Forester
31. Ship of the Line by C.S. Forester
32. Flying Colours by C.S. Forester
33. Commodore Hornblower by C.S. Forester
44. A Woman Jesus Can Teach by Alice Mathews
45. The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
46. Lord Hornblower by C.S. Forester
47. Who Are You To Judge by Dave Swavely
48. Admiral Hornblower in the West Indies by C.S. Forester
49. Little Britches by Ralph Moody
50. In Search of the Source by Neil Anderson
51. Everybody Can Know by Francis & Edith Schaeffer
52. Luke, Vol 2 by R. Kent Hughes
53. Luke 9:51-24:53 by Darrell Bock
54. The Army of the Potomac: A Stillness at Appomattox by Bruce Catton
55. Hope in the Midst of a Hostile World: The Gospel According to Daniel by George Schwab
56. Practicing Affirmation by Sam Crabtree
57. Good Gossip edited by Robert Goodman and Aaron Ben-Ze’ev
58. George Whitefield, Volume Two by Arnold Dallimore
59. Man of the Family by Ralph Moody
60. Gossip by Patricia Meyer Spacks
61. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore
62. The Nine Tailors by Dorothy Sayers
63. Evangelical Convictions by the EFCA
64. Dish by Jeannette Walls
65. Hornblower and the Atropos by C.S. Forester
66. An Excellent Mystery by Ellis Peters
67. Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
68. Cheaper By the Dozen by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
69. Richard Temple by Patrick O’Brian
70. Brother Cadfael’s Penance by Ellis Peters
71. Belles on Their Toes by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
72. The Golden Ocean by Patrick O’Brian
73. The Unknown Shore by Patrick O’Brian
74. Love Wins by Rob Bell
75. The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli
76. A Rare Benedictine by Ellis Peters
77. Vintage Murder by Ngaio Marsh
78. City of Gold and Shadow by Ellis Peters
79. The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne
80. Night at the Vulcan by Ngaio Marsh
81. Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian
82. The Bloody Field by Edith Pargeter
83. Hell on Trial by Robert Peterson
84. Christ Alone by Michael E. Wittmer
85. My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke
86. Mary Emma and Company by Ralph Moody
87. The Heaven Tree by Edith Pargeter
88. The Green Branch by Edith Pargeter
89. The Scarlet Seed by Edith Pargeter
90. Death and the Joyful Woman by Ellis Peters
91. Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow
92. Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo
93. The Marriage of Meggotta by Edith Pargeter
94. Black is the Colour of My True Love’s Heart by Ellis Peters
95. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
96. The Grass Widow’s Tale by Ellis Peters
97. A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie
98. Crooked House by Agatha Christie
99. Endless Night by Agatha Christie
100. The Confession by John Grisham
101. Death to the Landfords by Ellis Peters
102. Origins of Marvel Comics by Stan Lee
103. Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
104. The Home Ranch by Ralph Moody
105. Mourning Raga by Ellis Peters
106. The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett
107. The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories by Agatha Christie
108. What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? by Edward Welch
109. The Winged Watchman by Hilda Van Stockum
110. Boyhood and Beyond by Bob Schultz
111. The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick
112. Queen’s Play by Dorothy Dunnett
113. Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie
114. The Seventeenth Swap by Eloise McGraw
115. The Disorderly Knights by Dorothy Dunnett
116. The Rescue Artist by Edward Dolnick
117. The Appeal by John Grisham
118. Be Free by Warren Wiersbe
119. The Message of Galatians by John Stott
120. Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett
121. In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord
122. The Meaning of Sports by Michael Mandelbaum
123. The Doctors Who’s Who by Craig Cabell
124. The Ringed Castle by Dorothy Dunnett
125. The Return to the Kingdom of Fantasy by Edizioni Piemme
126. The One Year Bible, New International Version (1984)
For Previous Years:
2010
2009
2008 (first half, second half)
2007 (first half, second half)
2006 (first half, second half)
2005 (first half, second half)
Robin’s Books Completed in 2011:
1. By the Great Horn Spoon by Sid Fleischman
2. Mandie and the Dangerous Imposters by Lois Gladys Leppard
3. A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time by Mary Pope Osborne
4. The Pizza Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
5. Monday with a Mad Genius by Mary Pope Osborne
6. The Dinosaur Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
7. Moonlight on the Magic Flute by Mary Pope Osborne
8. Viking Ships at Sunrise by Mary Pope Osborne
9. Rebecca to the Rescue by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
10. Mandie and the Invisible Troublemaker by Lois Gladys Leppard
11. Mandie and Her Missing Kin by Lois Gladys Leppard
12. The Peskie Spell by Emily Rodda
13. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
14. It’s Halloween, You ‘Fraidy Mouse! by Edizioni Piemme
15. The Complete Peanuts 1950-1952 by Charles M. Schulz
16. A Cheese-Colored Camper by Geronimo Stilton
17. Tree House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
18. The Camp-Out Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
19. The Dog-Gone Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
20. The Ghost of the Chattering Bones by Gertrude Chandler Warner
21. School’s Out by Wanda Brunstetter
22. The Haunted Fort by Franklin W. Dixon
23. The Ghost at Skeleton Rock by Franklin W. Dixon
24. The Clue of the Screeching Owl by Franklin W. Dixon
25. Sing Down the Moon by Scott O’Dell
26. The Viking Symbol Mystery by Frankline W. Dixon
27. Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen
28. The Sign of the Crooked Arrow by Franklin W. Dixon
29. The Puzzle of the Paper Daughter by Kathryn Reiss
30. Betsy’s Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace
31. The Secret of Mirror Bay by Carolyn Keene
32. The Double Jinx Mystery by Carolyn Keene
33. The Scarlet Slipper Mystery by Carolyn Keene
34. Little House in the Big Wood by Laura Ingalls Wilder
35. The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid by Edizioni Piemme
36. The Complete Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz
37. The Phantom of the Subway by Edizioni Piemme
38. The Search for Sunken Treasure by Edizioni Piemme
39. Four Mice Deep in the Jungle by Edizioni Piemme
40. The Complete Peanuts 1957-1958 by Charles M. Schulz
41. The Clue of the Broken Blade by Franklin W. Dixon
42. The Secret of Pirate’s Hill by Franklin W. Dixon
43. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
44. The Masked Monkey by Franklin W. Dixon
45. The Shattered Helmet by Franklin W. Dixon
46. Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
47. The Clue of the Hissing Serpent by Franklin W. Dixon
48. On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
49. Brave Emily by Valerie Tripp
50. The Host at the Drive-In-Movie by Gertrude Chandler Warner
51. Geronimo Stilton and the Wedding Crasher by Edizioni Piemme
52. The Ghost in the Front Row by Gertrude Chandler Warner
53. Geronimo Stilton and the Field Trip to Niagra Falls by Edizioni Piemme
54. Geronimo Stilton: Shipwreck on the Pirate Islands by Edizioni Piemme
55. The Rock’n’Roll Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
56. The Creature in Ogopogo Lake by Gertrude Chandler Warner
57. The Vanishing Passenger by Gertrude Chandler Warner
58. Little House on Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
59. The Clue of the Velvet Mask by Carolyn Keene
60. The Ringmaster’s Secret by Carolyn Keene
61. Perilous Road by William Steele
62. The Complete Peanuts: 1963 to 1964 by Charles Schulz
63. Valentine’s Day Disaster by Edizioni Piemme
64. Mike’s Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
65. The Hidden Window Mystery by Carolyn Keene
66. The Prisoner’s of the Sun by Herge
67. Flight 714 by Herge
68. Destination Moon by Herge
69. The Gray-Eyed Goddess by Mary Pope Osborne
70. Houseboat Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
71. Bicycle Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
72. The Complete Peanuts by Charles Schulz
73. The Art of Charles M. Schulz
74. Trixie Belden: The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell
75. A Crazy Day with Cobras by Mary Pope Osborne
76. Garfield: Bigger Than Life by Jim Davis
77. Garfield Keeps His Chin Up by Jim Davis
78. Garfield Takes the Cake by Jim Davis
79. Clue in the Castle Tower by Sarah Masters Buckley
80. The Silver Guitar by Kathryn Reiss
81. A Bundle of Trouble by Kathryn Reiss
82. The Unicorn by Emila Rodda
83. The Hooded Hawk Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
84. Meet Kirsten by Janet Shaw
85. The Clue in the Embers by Franklin W. Dixon
86. Mystery at Devil’s Paw by Franklin W. Dixon
87. Tintin Vol 2 by Herge
88. Tintin Vol 1 by Herge
89. Tintin Vol 7 by Herge
90. Thea Stilton and the Secret City by Edizioni Piemme
91. Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
92. The Mystery of the Aztec Warrior by Franklin W. Dixon
93. Red Pizzas for a Blue Count by Edizioni Piemme
94. Return from Ithaca (Book Five) by Mary Pope Osborne
95. The Spy Game by Gertrude Chandler Warner
96. Happy Birthday, Kirsten! by Janet Shaw
97. Kirsten’s Surprise by Janet Shaw
98. Kirsten Learns a Lesson by Janet Shaw
99. The Stuffed Bear Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
100. Cam Jansen and the Secret Service Mystery by David Adler
101. The Windy City Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
102. The Mystery of the Empy Safe by Gertrude Chandler Warner
103. Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones by David Adler
104. The Cereal Box Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
105. The Teddy Bear Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
106. The Search for the Sunken Treasure by Edizioni Piemme
107. The Clue of the Broken Locket by Carolyn Keene
108. Turn Homeward, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty
109. The Game Store Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
110. The Old Motel Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
111. Meet Julie by Megan McDonald
112. The Secret of Shadow Ranch by Carolyn Keene
113. Julie Tells Her Story by Megan McDonald
114. Meet Kit: An American Girl by Valerie Tripp
115. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
116. Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
117. These Happy Golden Days by Laura Ingalls Wilder
118. The Minstrel in the Tower by Gloria Skurzynski
119. The Apprentice by Pilar Molina Llorente
120. Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers’ Grimm
121. Freedom Train: The Story of Harriet Tubman by Dorothy Sterling
122. Sixteen and Away from Home by Arleta Richardson
123. Eighteen and On Her Own by Arleta Richardson
124. Hugo Pepper by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
125. My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton by Edizioni Piemme
126. Pirates Past Noon by Mary Pope Osborne
127. The Complete Peanuts, 1959 to 1960 by Charles Schulz
128. The Complete Peanuts, 1971 to 1972 by Charles Schulz
129. Night of the Ninjas by Mary Pope Osborne
130. A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo by Edizioni Piemme
131. Cam Jansen: The School Play Mystery by David Adler
132. Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
133. The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
134. Surprise Island by Gertrude Chandler Warner
135. Helen Keller by Margaret Davidson
136. Cam Jansen and the Basketball Mystery by David Adler
137. Cam Jansen and the Wedding Cake Mystery by David Adler
138. Caboose Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
139. Butterfly Battles by Joanna Cole
140. I’m Too Fond of My Fur by Edizioni Piemme
141. The Terrible Wave by Marden Dahlstedt
142. The Yellow House Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
143. Tumtum & Nutmeg by Emily Bearn
144. The Great Escape by Emily Bearn
145. The Pirate’s Treasure by Emily Bearn
146. The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
147. Afternoon on the Amazon by Mary Pope Osborne
148. The Clue in the Corn Maze by Gertrude Chandler Warner
149. Day of the Dragon King by Mary Pope Osborne
150. Midnight in the Lonesome Hollow by Kathleen Ernst
151. A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young
152. All Because of a Cup of Cofee by Edizioni Piemme
153. Kit Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
154. Kit’s Surprise by Valerie Tripp
155. Viking Ships at Sunrise by Mary Pope Osborne
156. Vacation Under the Volcano by Mary Pope Osborne
157. Happy New Year, Julie by Megan McDonald
158. Kirsten Saves the Day by Janet Shaw
159. The Red Trailer Mystery by Julie Campbell
160. Changes for Kirsten by Janet Shaw
161. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
162. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
163. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
164. A Fabumouse School Adventure by Edizioni Piemme
165. The Bobbsey Twins of Lakeport by Laura Lee Hope
166. Season of the Sandstorms by Mary Pope Osborne
167. The Mystery of the Spiral Bridge by Franklin W. Dixon
168. Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace
169. Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
170. Happy Birthday, Kit! by Valerie Tripp
171. The Gatehouse Mystery by Julie Campbell
172. Kit Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp
173. The Secret Agent on Flight 101 by Franklin W. Dixon
174. Tumtum & Nutmeg: The Rose Cottage Tales by Emily Bearn
175. The Secret of Red Gate Farm by Carolyn Keene
176. Mystery at the Ski Jump by Carolyn Keene
177. Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
178. A Fabumouse School Adventure by Edizioni Piemme
179. The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene
180. Favorite Fairy Tales told in France by Virginia Haviland
181. Favorite Fairy Tales told in India by Virginia Haviland
182. Favorite Fairy Tales told in Japan by Virginia Haviland
183. The Curious Clubhouse by Christine Govan
184. Babymouse: Mad Scientist by Jennifer and Matthew Holm
185. Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace
186. Liberty Porter, First Daughter by Julia DeVillers
187. It’s Halloween, You ‘Fraidy Mouse by Edizioni Piemme
188. Betsy’s Wedding by Maud Hart Lovelace
189. The Knight at Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne
190. Password to Larkspur Lane by Carolyn Keene
191. Nineteen and Wedding Bells Ahead by Arleta Richardson
192. Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne
193. The Lost Princess of Oz by Frank Baum
194. Kit’s Short Story Collection by Valerie Tripp
195. The Whispering Statue by Carolyn Keene
196. Marisol by Gary Soto
197. The Great Railroad Race by Kristiana Gregory
198. Julie’s Journey by Megan McDonald
199. The Story of Thomas Alva Edison, Inventor by Margaret Davidson
200. Changes for Kit by Valerie Tripp
201. The Pinderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanne Birdsall
202. The Disappearing Stranger by Lois Walfrid Johnson
203. Buffalo Before Breakfast by Mary Pope Osborne
204. Mandie and the Secret Tunnel by Lois Gladys Leppard
205. The Hidden Message by Lois Walfrid Johnson
206. The Creeping Shadows by Lois Walfrid Johnson
207. Rainbow Garden by Patricia St. John
208. Down and Out Down Under by Edizioni Piemme
209. Samantha’s Short Story Collection by Valerie Tripp
210. The Spy in the Bleachers by Gertrude Chandler Warner
211. Tintin Volume 5 by Herge
212. Molly’s Short Story Collection by Valerie Tripp
213. The Curse of Ravenscourt by Sarah Masters Buckey
214. More Tales of Uncle Remus by Julius Lester
215. Changes for Julie by Megan McDonald
216. Red Pizzas for A Blue Count by Edizioni Piemme
217. The Mystery Off Glen Road by Julie Campbell
218. Bus Station Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
219. Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lindgren
220. The Flower Fairies by Emily Rodda
221. The Magic Key by Emily Rodda
222. Song of the Wanderer by Bruce Coville
223. The Mystery of the Purple Pool by Gertrude Chandler Warner
224. Mystery of the Singing Ghost by Gertrude Chandler Warner
225. Mystery in Arizona by Julie Campbell
226. The Pilgrim Village Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
227. The Stolen Sapphire by Sarah Masters Buckey
228. Blue Bay Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
229. The Third Wish by Emily Rodda
230. The Cry of the Loon by Barbara Steiner
231. Heaven to Betsy by Maud Hart Lovelace
232. The Unicorn by Emily Rodda
233. The Star Cloak by Emily Rodda
234. Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville
235. Dark Whispers by Bruce Coville
236. The Mysterious Code by Kathryn Kenny
237. Danger at the Zoo by Kathleen Ernst
238. Lanie by Jane Kurtz
239. Meet Felicity by Valerie Tripp
240. Felicity Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
241. Felicity’s Surprise by Valerie Tripp
242. Happy Birthday, Felicity! By Valerie Tripp
243. The Tattletale Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
244. Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye by Edizioni Piemme
245. The Temple of the Ruby of Fire by Edizioni Piemme
246. It’s Halloween, You ‘Fraidy Mouse! by Edizioni Piemme
247. The Mystery of the Screaming Clock by Robert Arthur
248. The Mystery of the Vanishing Treasure by Robert Arthur
249. The Mystery of the Whispering Mummy by Robert Arthur
250. The Temple of the Ruby of Fire by Edizioni Piemme
251. All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
252. The Mystery of the Fiery Eye by Robert Arthur
253. The Red Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang
254. Summer Promise by Robin Jones Gunn
255. A Whisper and a Wish by Robin Jones Gunn
256. Yours Forever by Robin Jones Gunn
257. All-of-a-Kind Family Uptown by Sydney Taylor
258. All-of-A-Kind Family Downtown by Sydney Taylor
259. The Quest for Paradise: The Return to the Kingdom of Fantasy by Edizioni Piemme
260. Ella of All-of-a-Kind Family by Sydney Taylor
261. A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
262. The Mystery of the Silver Spider by Robert Arthur
263. The Mystery of the Talking Skull by Robert Arthur
264. Annie Henry and the Secret Mission by Susan Olasky
265. Annie Henry and the Birth of Liberty by Susan Olasky
266. Annie Henry and the Mysterious Stranger by Susan Olasky
267. Annie Henry and the Redcoats by Susan Olasky
268. My Name Is Stilton, Geronimo Stilton by Edizioni Piemme
269. Shadows in Society Hill by Evelyn Coleman
270. Mystery and the Crooked House by Gertrude Chandler Warner
271. Mountain Top Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
272. Felicity’s Short Story Collection by Valerie Tripp
273. The Lighthouse Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
274. The Sword of the Silver Knight by Gertrude Chandler Warner
275. The Mystery of Mixed-Up Zoo by Gertrude Chandler Warner
276. Benny Uncovers a Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
277. The Mystery of the Missing Mermaid by Robert Arthur
278. The Mystery of the Death Trap Mine by Robert Arthur
279. The Mystery of the Coughing Dragon by Robert Arthur
280. The Mystery of the Trail of Terror by M.V. Carey
281. The Mystery of the Rogues’ Reunion by Marc Brandel
282. The Secret of the Wooden Lady by Carolyn Keene
283. The Mystery of the Blinking Eye by Kathryn Kenny
284. The Mystery of the Emerlads by Kathryn Kenny
285. The Secret of the Haunted Mirror by M.V. Carey
286. The Mystery of the Sinister Scarecrow by M.V. Carey
287. The Secret of Skeleton Island by Robert Arthur
288. The Jungle Pyramid by Franklin W. Dixon
289. The Shore Road Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
290. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi
291. The Arctic Patrol Mystery by Franklin W. Dixon
292. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
293. Hero Over Here by Kathleen Kudlinski
294. Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
295. Anne of the Island L.M. Montgomery
296. Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House by Edizioni Piemme
297. Anne of Windy Poplars by L.M. Montgomery
298. The Mona Mousa Code by Edizioni Piemme
299. Red Pizzas for a Blue Count by Edizioni Piemme
300. A Fabumouse Vacation for Geronimo by Edizioni Piemme
301. The Disappearing Floor by Franklin W. Dixon
302. Pioneer Cat by William Hooks
303. Pioneer Summer by Deborah Hopkinson
304. Our Kansas Home by Deborah Hopkinson
305. Cabin in the Snow by Deborah Hopkinson
306. The Sinister Signpost by Franklin W. Dixon
307. The Mark on the Door by Franklin W. Dixon
308. Horse Crazy: The Silver Horse Switch 1 by Alison Lester
309. Footprints Under the Window by Franklin W. Dixon
310. A Figure in Hiding by Franklin W. Dixon
311. The Crisscross Shadow by Franklin W. Dixon
312. The Clue in the Diary by Carolyn Keene
313. The Quest of the Missing Map by Carolyn Keene
314. The Ringmaster’s Secret by Carolyn Keene
315. The Mystery on Cobbett’s Island by Kathryn Kenny
316. The Mystery on the Mississippi by Kathryn Kenny
317. Betsy Was a Junior by Maud Hart Lovelace
318. Betsy and Joe by Maud Hart Lovelace
319. The Candy Factory Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
320. The Mystery in Washington, DC by Gertrude Chandler Warner
321. The Mystery at Skeleton Point by Gertrude Chandler Warner
322. The Mystery at the Dog Show by Gertrude Chandler Warner
323. The Mystery of the Lost Mine by Gertrude Chandler Warner
324. The Castle Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
325. The Ghost Ship Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
326. The Disappearing Staircase Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
327. Down and Out Down Under by Edizioni Piemme
328. The Search for Sunken Treasure by Edizioni Piemme
329. The Black Jacket Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
330. The Happy Valley Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
331. The Mummy with No Name by Edizioni Piemme
332. The Marshland Mystery by Kathryn Kenny
333. The Mystery at Bob-White Cave by Kathryn Kenny
334. The Secret in the Old Attic by Carolyn Keene
335. The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes by Carolyn Keene
336. The Blue Fairy Book edited by Andrew Lang
337. The Mystery of Crocodile Island by Carolyn Keene
338. The Strange Messge in the Parchment by Carolyn Keene
339. The Clue in the Stagecoach by Carolyn Keene
340. The Mystery of Cabin Island by Franklin W. Dixon
341. The Mummy Case by Franklin W. Dixon
342. The Firebird Rocket by Franklin W. Dixon
343. Peril at King’s Creek by Elizabeth McDavid Jones
344. Addy’s Short Story Collection by Connie Rose Porter
345. The Hidden Staircase by Carolyn Keene
346. Kirsten’s Short Story Collection by Janet Shaw
347. The Sting of the Scorpion by Franklin W. Dixon
348. The Mystery of the Lost Village by Gertrude Chandler Warner
349. The Mystery Girl by Gertrude Chandler Warner
350. The Mystery of the Purple Pool by Gertrude Chandler Warner
351. The Animal Shelter Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
352. The Mystery of the Spider’s Clue by Gertrude Chandler Warner
353. The Mystery Cruise by Gertrude Chandler Warner
354. The Mystery Horse by Gertrude Chandler Warner
355. The Basketball Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
356. The Disappearing Friend Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
357. The Clue of the Tapping Heels by Carolyn Keene
358. The Deserted Library Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
359. The Wailing Siren Mystery Franklin W. Dixon
360. The Hidden Harbor Mystery Franklin W. Dixon
361. Felicity’s Surprise by Valerie Tripp
362. Felicity Learns a Lesson by Valerie Tripp
363. Surprise Endings by Robin Jones Gunn
364. Holy Bible, New International Version
365. The Mystery in the Snow by Gertrude Chandler Warner
366. Mystery in the Sand by Gertrude Chandler Warner
367. The Stuffed Bear Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
368. Jungle Doctor’s Tug of War by Paul White
369. Island Dreamer by Robin Jones Gunn
370. Paws Off, Cheddarface by Edizioni Piemme
371. It’s Halloween, You ‘Fraidy Mouse by Edizioni Piemme
372. The Apeman’s Secret by Franklin W. Dixon
373. The Vanishing Thieves by Franklin W. Dixon
374. What Happened at Midnight by Franklin W. Dixon
375. The Stone Idol by Franklin W. Dixon
376. The Treasure of the Emerald Isle by Edizioni Piemme
377. Felicity Saves the Day by Valerie Tripp
378. The Tower Treasure by Franklin W. Dixon
379. Danger on Vampire Trail by Franklin W. Dixon
380. Mystery in Arizona by Julie Campbell
381. The Ghost of Blackwood Hall by Carolyn Keene
382. The Scarlet Slipper Mysteery by Carolyn Keene
383. The Clue of the Leaning Chimney by Carolyn Keene
384. The Message in the Hollow Oak by Carolyn Keene
385. Valentine’s Day Disaster by Edizioni Piemme
386. Encyclopedia Brown Solves Them All by Donald Sobol
387. Encyclopedia Brown Tracks Them Down by Donald Sobol
388. The Black Widow Spider Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
389. Kaya’s Short Story Collection by Janet Shaw
390. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
391. The Kingdom of Fantasy by Edizioni Piemme
392. The Mystery of the Alligator Swamp by Gertrude Chandler Warner
393. The Gymnastics Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
394. The Mystery at Snowflake Inn by Gertrude Chandler Warner
395. Mandy by Julie Andrews Edwards
396. The Mystery of the Star Ruby by Gertrude Chandler Warner
397. The Old Motel Mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
398. The Mystery of the Mummy’s Curse by Gertrude Chandler Warner
399. Pollyanna by Eleanor Porter
400. Mystery Ranch by Gertrude Chandler Warner
