*Acts 15:22-41
This passage includes the decision to send messengers to Gentile believers and a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.
- Council’s Decision and Letter to Gentile Believers:
- The apostles and elders, along with the whole church, decide to send chosen men from their own group to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They choose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
- They send a letter explaining that the apostles and elders, along with the whole church, have agreed not to burden the Gentile believers beyond what is necessary.
- The letter specifically instructs them to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.
- Reception in Antioch:
- Upon arrival in Antioch, they deliver the letter.
- The congregation rejoices over its encouraging message.
- Judas and Silas, who are also prophets, speak at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening them.
- Return of Judas and Continued Ministry of Silas:
- After spending some time there, Judas and Silas are sent back to Jerusalem with the congregation’s blessing.
- Silas, however, decides to remain in Antioch.
- Paul and Barnabas Plan a Second Missionary Journey:
- Paul suggests to Barnabas that they return and visit the believers in every city where they have preached the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.
- Barnabas wants to take John Mark along, but Paul disagrees because John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
- The disagreement becomes so sharp that they part ways: Barnabas takes Mark and sails to Cyprus.
- Separate Missions of Paul and Silas:
- Paul chooses Silas and, after being commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord, he travels through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 15:22-41 teaches us how to handle disagreements with wisdom and grace. The early church leaders worked together to bring peace by sending a clear and encouraging message to new believers. Later, Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement but continued serving God in different ways. This reminds us that conflicts will happen, but we should handle them with kindness and keep our focus on God’s work. We can apply this by seeking peace, communicating clearly, and not letting disagreements stop us from doing what God has called us to do.
Acts 15:22-41 (WEB)
15:22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. 23 They wrote these things by their hand:“The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. 24 Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; 25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them. 33 After they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brothers to the apostles. 34 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return now and visit our brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. 38 But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work. 39 Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.