So,
when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them. After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles. But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Acts 15:30-35
Acts 15 [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; 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, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: 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.”
Acts 15 [30.] So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them. After they had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from the brothers to the apostles. But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Acts 15 [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.” Barnabas planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also. But Paul didn’t think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn’t go with them to do the work. Then the contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.
Meaning:
The council in Jerusalem had written to the Gentile believers that “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things” (Acts 15:28). These verses tell how the letter was received in Antioch, the city where the dispute had begun. After the tension of the debate, the story ends in joy, encouragement and steady teaching.
- “Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter”
The letter was read to the whole church, not just to its leaders. The question of circumcision had disturbed everyone, so everyone needed to hear the answer. In the early church letters from apostles were read aloud to the gathered believers, as Paul later asked that his letter be read “also in the assembly of the Laodiceans” (Colossians 4:16).
- “They rejoiced over the encouragement”
The Gentile believers had been told that they could not be saved unless they were circumcised (Acts 15:1). Now they learned that the apostles and elders affirmed their place in God’s people by faith. The same word for encouragement had been used of Barnabas, whose name means “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Good news received from God brings joy and settles troubled hearts.
- “Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers”
In the New Testament, prophets spoke messages from God for the strengthening of the church. Paul wrote, “he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:3). Antioch already had “prophets and teachers” among its leaders (Acts 13:1). Judas and Silas did more than deliver a document. They spent time with the believers, explained the decision and built them up “with many words.”
- “They were sent back with greetings from the brothers”
Judas and Silas returned to Jerusalem with the good wishes of the church. The two churches, Jewish and Gentile, were bound together in peace. The World English Bible notes that some manuscripts add here, “But it seemed good to Silas to stay there.” Most modern translations leave this out, since it is missing from many early manuscripts. Those who include it see it as explaining why Silas was available when Paul later chose him as his partner (Acts 15:40); others think Paul called him back from Jerusalem.
- “Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word”
After their long journey and the council, Paul and Barnabas gave themselves to the ordinary but vital work of teaching. They had first taught there together for a whole year, and it was at Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). They did not work alone: “many others also” taught and preached. Some scholars place Peter’s visit to Antioch, when Paul opposed him for withdrawing from Gentile believers, in this period (Galatians 2:11); others place it before the council.
The Significance of Acts 15:30-35
- The power of encouragement
A letter, a visit and many words of encouragement strengthened a troubled church. God uses faithful words spoken in love to build up his people.
- Faithful ordinary work
After great events come quieter seasons of teaching. The church grows not only through dramatic moments but through steady, patient teaching of the word of the Lord.
Cross-References:
1 Corinthians 14:3: "But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation." The purpose of prophecy.
Acts 4:36: "Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement)." Barnabas, the encourager.
Acts 13:1: "Now in the assembly that was at Antioch there were some prophets and teachers." The teaching church of Antioch.
Galatians 2:11: "But when Peter came to Antioch, I resisted him to his face." A later test of the same issue.
Conclusion: Judas and Silas brought the Jerusalem letter to Antioch, where the church rejoiced at its encouragement. As prophets, they strengthened the believers with many words before returning in peace, while Paul and Barnabas stayed on, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord with many others.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible