The Jerusalem Council - The Letter

Acts 15:23-24
   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:
   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:

   This letter must have been great comfort to the Gentiles. First of all it called the Gentile believers "brethren" acknowledging that they also were born again of God's seed. It also said that the "believers" who had told them that they had to be circumcised and keep the law were not told to do so by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. This declaration is also important for what it does NOT say. It never says that James and the elders in Jerusalem had forbid those who promoted circumcision, nor does it say that they had been telling the believers in Judea for years not to trouble the Gentile believers. It does, however, declare that the church now recognized that keeping the law was not a requirement.

   It is clear that you can "trouble people with words" and "subvert souls." Words are very powerful things and the words of this letter would be just as powerful in blessing the Gentile believers.

Acts 15:25-27
   It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
   Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
   We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

   What a comfort to know that the apostles and elders in Jerusalem called Barnabas and Paul "beloved." They were certainly beloved of the Gentiles who had received the Word of God from them. Now they hear that these men are also beloved of the brethren in Jerusalem. This also indicates that the letters represent the unified decision of the apostles and elders who were of one accord (unity of purpose) in this declaration.

Acts 15:28-29
  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost [God], and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
   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.

   The content of the letter was basically the same as the presentation of James. The "necessary things" regarding abstaining from idolatry are here said to be from "The Holy Spirit": God. This declaration from the council was delivered by revelation from God and agreed upon by the apostles and elders.

The Letter is Delivered

Acts 15:30-34
  So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
  Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
  And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
  Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

   The Gentiles in Antioch rejoiced at the exhortation when they heard the decision of the council. They were also blessed by Judas and Silas who exhorted the brethren themselves.

   While doctrinally the church at Jerusalem had with one accord declared the grace of God, the Judean believers continued to practice the law even after the council at Jerusalem. It was just a very short time later that Paul had to confront even the Apostle Peter regarding his error in practice.

Gladly Acts
Chapter 15
James Speaks
NEXT - After the Council
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