Council’s Letter–To Remove Burdensome Standards from Believers

Acts 15:22-35

• Letter sent with the weight of prominent leaders of the way of Christ.
• Content of the letter sent to the non-Jewish Believers.
• Rejoicing, strength and encouragement..

Letter sent with the weight of prominent leaders of the way of Christ.
“Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.” Acts 15:22

As mentioned in the post on Acts 15:1-3, Paul, Barnabas, and other Believers were sent from Antioch at Syria to Jerusalem. The purpose was to meet with the Church leaders about the necessity or non-necessity for the born-again Gentiles to be circumcised. Now, the issue has been decided, and Paul and Barnabas have been sent back to Antioch at Syria to deliver the decision. With Paul and Barnabas, was a delegation from Jerusalem, prominent people of the way of Christ. Namely, Judas and Silas. This was a powerful delegation of Christians about to inform the Gentiles that they do not need to be circumcised to be born-again. Their faith in God through Jesus Christ was enough for their Salvation.

That is the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that living for God by faith in Jesus Christ is our Salvation and eternal life. Circumcision is not necessary, nor the laws of Judaism, the letter kills but the Spirit gives life. “And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

The Silas mentioned in the verses of this post is the same Silas who would later join Paul in his missionary journeys, Acts 15:40.

Content of the letter sent to the non-Jewish Believers.
“They wrote this letter by them:

“From the apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

Since 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 such commandment— it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.”
Acts 15:23-29

Click here for a post from Acts 15:19-21 for a description of the four guidelines. The guidelines being, 1] Abstain from things polluted by idols. 2] Abstain from blood. 3] Abstain from things strangled. 4] Abstain from sexual immorality.

Rejoicing, strength and encouragement.
“So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.” Acts 15:30-31

The phrase, “So when they were sent off...” refers to being sent off from Jerusalem, then they came to Antioch at Syria. There in Antioch, Paul Barnabas, Silas, and Judas gathered together the multitude of the Gentiles to deliver the letter from Jerusalem to them. The letter brought rejoicing to the born-again Gentiles because they were informed that circumcision nor any other laws of Judaism were necessary for their Salvation. Their faith in Jesus Christ was all that was needed for them to have their sin forgiven, to be part of the family of God, and to have eternal life. Jesus said, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

“Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.” Acts 15:32-33

Judas and Silas were prophets also, and with their Holy Spirit filled words, they strengthened and encouraged their brothers and sisters in Christ. Which included calling the born-again Gentiles their brothers and sisters, even though Judas and Silas were Jewish, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:28-29

Also, the testimony of Jesus Christ, is the spirit of prophecy, “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelations 19:10 As followers of Jesus Christ, let’s share His testimony and bring encouragement to other believers within this atheistic culture. Only believe, our faith in Jesus Christ is all that God asks of us.

“However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.” Acts 15:34-35

Instead of returning to Jerusalem, Silas remained in Antioch at Syria to further root the born-again Gentiles in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch at Syria for the same reason. They were all of the same mind to preach and teach the way of the Lord, along with many other also. May we also be included among the group that preaches and teaches the word of the Lord.