*Acts 15:22-41
This passage includes
- 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.
the decision to send messengers to Gentile believers and a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.
15:22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 15:25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 15:26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
15:30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: 15:31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
15:32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
15:33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
15:34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.
15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 15:40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
15:41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.