The Book of Acts

The Letter for Gentile Believers

Acts 15:22-35 _NLT

“Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul & Barnabas to report on this decision.”- Acts 15:22

            As you will recall, many Jewish believers felt grace was way too easy a way for gentile converts to become saved, so they sought to make them adhere to the Jewish law in addition to God’s grace. Paul & Barnabas travelled to Jerusalem to attend the first Jerusalem council where the apostles, leaders, and elders would discuss the matter and decide, based on scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit, which way the teaching should follow.

                  After the council, based on the apostle James statements, decided which direction to take, the apostles, elders, and the entire Jerusalem church body chose delegates to accompany Paul & Barnabas to report the final decision to the church in Antioch of Syria. The men chosen were two church leaders among the brethren. They were Judas, also known as Barsabbas, and Silas, who were known to be prophets. Below is the letter they sent with them to the church in Antioch.

            “This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

“We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.” ^{[Acts 15:23-29]}

            The brethren at the Antioch church in Syria rejoiced at the proclamation as it’s message brought them great joy.  Prophets Judas Barsabbas & Silas encouraged and strengthened the faith of the body of Christ there, while Paul & Barnabas, who stayed on in that town, taught and preached the word of God to the people there. This would be recognized as the official end of Paul’s first missionary trip. 

                  The lesson to be learned here is that whenever there is a dispute among the brethren, they are to gather together, consult scripture, and pray, seeking the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit to attain the mind of the Lord in the matter. Well respected men of God are to coordinate the gathering and the final decision, based on God’s Word, is to be accepted. Should there be an interpretive disagreement, such a decision should be solved thru diligent & earnest prayer, considering regional and cultural information which may have some bearing on the scriptures interpretation. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His name & for His glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.