A Study of Acts: A Letter from the Council, Silas and Judas Chosen, Return to Antioch
Acts 15:22-35 - Are you being led by the Spirit?
“Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, and they sent this letter by them,
“The apostles and the brethren who are elders, to the brethren in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles, greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who themselves 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 essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”
So when they were sent away, they went down to Antioch; and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brethren with a lengthy message. After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brethren in peace to those who had sent them out. [But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.] But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others also, the word of the Lord.”
Acts 15:22-35 NASB1995
The Council has reached a consensus on this issue of the Gentiles and they elect to send two of the leaders from their group with Paul and Barnabas. This is a wise decision, as they would support the words from Paul and Barnabas and show unity. The two men are Silas (also known as Sylvanus) and Judas called Barsabbas. I couldn’t find much about Judas Barsabbas, but Silas is mentioned several more times in Acts and is also mentioned in four of Paul’s epistles. Here is what Precept Austin tells us about Silas/Sylvanus:
Silas was a Hellenistic Jew before his conversion, and a Roman citizen like Paul (Acts 16:37). For some reason, he remained in Antioch, so that when Paul was looking for replacements for Barnabas and Mark, who had broken with him, Silas was available. On their three-year journey, he preached, was stoned, and was jailed with Paul. They made their way, with Timothy and Luke, through Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and Corinth. Silas found his niche in Corinth and remained there, preaching and teaching, after Paul departed for Ephesus. He may have helped compose Paul's letters to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:1).Also called Silvanus, Silas later joined Peter in Rome and may have served as Peter's secretary and co-authored 1 Peter (1 Peter 5:12). Legend has him returning to Corinth, where he became the city's first bishop. He reportedly died in northern Greece.
The letter that they carry with them was probably authored by James and repeats the same requests for the Gentiles that are not necessary for their salvation and also don’t require conversion to Judaism and its laws, but these are simple ways to show hospitality and love in congregations that include both Gentile and Jewish members.
Enduring Word has good commentary on this passage:
They wrote this letter by them: The letter gives the express decision of the Jerusalem council, that Gentiles should consider themselves under no obligation to the rituals of Judaism, except the sensitivity which love demands, so as to preserve the fellowship of Jewish and Gentile believers.
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: This letter was written specifically to these churches where Jews and Gentiles mixed together with the potential of tension and conflict. It was not addressed to every Gentile congregation.
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us: James voiced the decision of the council (Acts 15:19), but the unity behind the decision was one of several evidences that it was the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit spoke through James and confirmed it through others.
So much so that they could really say that the decision was made in cooperation with the Holy Spirit – it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us. “They boldly treat the Holy Spirit as one of their number – a fellow-counselor, who unites with them in the announcement of a joint conclusion; as though he, the Spirit of God, had sat with them in their deliberations.” (Arthur T. Pierson)
Farewell: Therefore, the issue is settled here in the infancy of Christianity, and for all time: We are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, not by any conformity to the law, and such obedience comes as a result of true faith, after the issue of salvation has been settled.
“Here is a lesson for all ages on the true character of church councils. What we call a ‘court of Jesus Christ’ has too often been more like an assembly of unbelievers, if not like a ‘synagogue of Satan.’” (Arthur T. Pierson)
Are you being led by the Holy Spirit? The Council treats the Holy Spirit as one of their number, like God is there sitting in during the discussion and guiding their results. I like this commentary from Geoffrey Thomas, a Welsh pastor quoted on Precept Austin:
When we talk about being “led by the Spirit,” we are not speaking of special and extraordinary promptings, insights, deliverances, hunches, and feelings. We are talking about how the Spirit helps us break sinful habits and guides us down the path of good works and service. When we consider other people to be better than ourselves, we are being led by the Spirit. When we bear the burden of the weak, we are being led by the Spirit. When a husband loves his wife as Christ loves the church, he is being led by the Spirit. When a wife respects her husband, she is being led by the Spirit. When we are ready to give an answer to anyone who asks us the reason for our hope, we are being led by the Spirit. When we present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, we are being led by the Spirit. When we clothe ourselves in the armor of God, we are being led by the Spirit. That is how He leads us.
The men go to Antioch and deliver the letter to the congregation. The congregation rejoiced because of the encouragement they received from this letter, which takes away the consternation caused by those who were teaching them that they had to follow the law. Judas and Silas deliver a lengthy message to them. Judas leaves with a blessing to return to Jerusalem (not to be heard from again), but Silas decides to stay in Antioch, which is an interesting development considering what happens in the next passage that we will study. The verse talking about his decision to stay is in brackets, meaning that it might have been added later on to explain what happens next to Silas. Paul and Barnabas also stay in Antioch, teaching and preaching.
My next devotional examines the start of the second missionary journey of Paul and conflict between Paul and Barnabas, as recorded in Acts 15:36-41.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Today I pray for strength and courage to risk it all for You. This is noted by Pastor Jack Andrews, from his expository studies as quoted in Precept Austin:
Are we risking our lives for the name of Jesus Christ? Are we willing to lay our lives down for the name that is above every name? It cost the 1st century church to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and to confess His name! May we have that same resolve to:
love His name,
serve His name,
honor His name,
preach in His name,
teach in His name,
live in His name,
give in His name,
and never be ashamed of His name!
AMEN!
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Precept Austin was accessed on 11/18/2024 to review commentary for Acts 15:22-35
Enduring Word commentary by David Guzik is used with written permission.