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Acts 15:30–35
“When [Paul and Barnabas] were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words” (vv. 30–32).
With the question whether gentile Christians had to be circumcised settled by the Apostles and elders at the Jerusalem Council, a letter was drafted to inform the church of the decision (Acts 15:1–29). Paul and Barnabas had been sent by the church at Syrian Antioch to Jerusalem to bring the matter to discussion, so it was only right that they carried the letter with the council’s decision back to Antioch. Luke tells us in Acts 15:30–35 about their return.
Back in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas gathered the congregation and delivered the letter. They read it aloud to the people, as was the custom of that day (vv. 30–31). In fact, the New Testament epistles to different churches were read aloud to their recipients. For instance, Paul’s letter to the Romans would have been read aloud to the church in Rome when the courier brought it to the city.
Acts 15:31 reports that the church in Antioch rejoiced when they heard the letter “because of its encouragement.” The gospel of justification by grace alone through faith alone was maintained, principles of holiness for sexuality were outlined, and the gentiles were counseled to avoid certain practices that Jews found objectionable and were not given additional ceremonial commandments to burden them. All this helped the gentile Christians understand without a doubt that they were being received as citizens of God’s kingdom on the same basis as the Jews—through faith in the Messiah. No news could have been more encouraging to the infant church. The history of the Jerusalem Council, then, shows us what can happen when the church is operating according to a sound ecclesiology (doctrine of the church) but which congregations have meaningful connections to one another and the properly appointed leaders of the church deliberate and settle matters according to the Word of God. Such practices are not incidental but contribute to the long-term well-being of the church.
Luke concludes his account of the Jerusalem Council and its immediate aftermath by telling us about some prophets, Judas and Silas, who came to edify the church in Syrian Antioch. These prophets remained in Antioch for only a short time, but Paul and Barnabas stayed there longer, ministering to the church, and the Christians enjoyed a period of peace and edification according to the gospel (vv. 32–35).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Proverbs 11:14 tells us that in an abundance of wise counselors we find safety. The Jerusalem Council exemplifies this. The thoughtful consideration of God’s Word by several church leaders produced a decision that both was biblically sound and promoted the peace and unity of the church. May our churches follow the example of the Jerusalem Council for the good of the people of God.
For further study
- Proverbs 24:5–6
- 1 Timothy 4:14
The bible in a year
- Job 33–34
- Acts 13:26–52
- Job 35–40
- Acts 14