Act 15:28-29 | KingComments | STEP | Those gathered are convinced a. by Peter who recounted what God had done in connection with Cornelius, b. through the account of Barnabas and Paul on the deeds of God during their missionary journey, and c. through the voice of God from the Scriptures quoted by James. They decide to send a letter to the Gentiles. Agreement was reached because all bowed to the judgment of James that there can be no question of imposing the law on the Gentiles. The church is not a democratic body where decisions are taken by the majority of votes. There is no voting. The apostles and the elders with the whole church, which is here again present, decide that Paul and Barnabas will go to Antioch again to share the outcome of the consultation in Jerusalem. In order to avoid any possibility of a wrong impression, some brothers from Jerusalem will also go with Paul and Barnabas. For this purpose they choose Judas and Silas. These men are leaders among the brethren (cf. ). They are men who are known to the believers in Jerusalem and who teach and show by their lives to them what God expects of His own. The outcome of the consultation is laid down in a letter which they give to the company. The result of the exchange of words is that a letter is sent to the brothers from the Gentiles. The letter is addressed to “the brothers from the Gentiles” in the areas where this confusion has been caused. Apparently this is not only in Antioch, but also in Syria and even up to Cilicia. They begin their letter by apologizing for the fact that “some of our number” caused confusion among the brothers from the Gentiles by their words. The words they have spoken have unsettled the souls of the believers. Here we see how devastating the introduction of the law is for the assurance of faith. Introducing the law or legal principles undermines the assurance of faith and turns steadfast believers into unstable souls. The senders of the letter clearly distance themselves from the words of their fellow believers. These believers acted on their own initiative and not by order of the Jerusalem church. People who preach the law always do so on their own initiative and not on the recommendation of the church. The brethren they now send do come with a recommendation from the church. Some things did precede, as can be concluded from the words “having become of one mind”, before these men have been selected to go to them on behalf of the church in Jerusalem. Judas and Silas come along with Barnabas and Paul whom the church calls “our beloved”. The use of this expression clearly tells how much these two apostles have been accepted and appreciated by the church in Jerusalem. It also means that the work of these servants among the Gentiles is fully acknowledged by them. They also mention that they are people “who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. A more impressive recommendation can hardly be given. By speaking of “our” Lord Jesus Christ, using the full Name of the Lord, they express the fellowship the believers have in that Name. Besides Barnabas and Paul, also Judas and Silas will be present at the handing over of the letter. They will explain the letter verbally. The letter is not a law, but a report, in which a further explanation helps to understand its purpose. Their message goes beyond just the businesslike, formal handing over of a letter. They have been witnesses to the establishment of its contents. They have experienced how the Holy Spirit has brought the believers to the unanimous decision which they are now announcing to the Gentiles, so that they have been able to write: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” This means that the Holy Spirit has been able to work in the discussion. The unity to which they have come is His work. If it had been stated in the letter that the believers in Jerusalem had become united and now communicated their decision in the letter, no one would have doubted that this had been worked out by the Holy Spirit. The fact that the Holy Spirit is explicitly mentioned is done in view of the entire work of the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles. The brethren, the elders and the apostles agree with this work. In this way they have come to the conclusion that not the law, but only the generally binding commandments are to be observed. The generally binding commandments are imposed on them, they cannot ignore them. These things are called “these essentials”. These are ‘essentials’ because they have to do with 1. the relationship of faithfulness to God to Whom alone may be offered sacrifices, 2. the acknowledgment of His exclusive right to life and 3. the absolute faithfulness in the relationship to one’s neighbor in the most intimate form, that of marriage. Those who keep themselves free from these essentials do well. Taking these things into account is a benefit to the spiritual life. They conclude the letter with the wish that they will fare well.

‏ Acts 15:28-29

The Letter for the Gentiles

Those gathered are convinced

a. by Peter who recounted what God had done in connection with Cornelius,

b. through the account of Barnabas and Paul on the deeds of God during their missionary journey, and

c. through the voice of God from the Scriptures quoted by James.

They decide to send a letter to the Gentiles. Agreement was reached because all bowed to the judgment of James that there can be no question of imposing the law on the Gentiles.

The church is not a democratic body where decisions are taken by the majority of votes. There is no voting. The apostles and the elders with the whole church, which is here again present, decide that Paul and Barnabas will go to Antioch again to share the outcome of the consultation in Jerusalem.

In order to avoid any possibility of a wrong impression, some brothers from Jerusalem will also go with Paul and Barnabas. For this purpose they choose Judas and Silas. These men are leaders among the brethren (cf. Heb 13:7 ; 17 ; 24). They are men who are known to the believers in Jerusalem and who teach and show by their lives to them what God expects of His own.

The outcome of the consultation is laid down in a letter which they give to the company. The result of the exchange of words is that a letter is sent to the brothers from the Gentiles. The letter is addressed to “the brothers from the Gentiles” in the areas where this confusion has been caused. Apparently this is not only in Antioch, but also in Syria and even up to Cilicia.

They begin their letter by apologizing for the fact that “some of our number” caused confusion among the brothers from the Gentiles by their words. The words they have spoken have unsettled the souls of the believers. Here we see how devastating the introduction of the law is for the assurance of faith. Introducing the law or legal principles undermines the assurance of faith and turns steadfast believers into unstable souls.

The senders of the letter clearly distance themselves from the words of their fellow believers. These believers acted on their own initiative and not by order of the Jerusalem church. People who preach the law always do so on their own initiative and not on the recommendation of the church. The brethren they now send do come with a recommendation from the church. Some things did precede, as can be concluded from the words “having become of one mind”, before these men have been selected to go to them on behalf of the church in Jerusalem.

Judas and Silas come along with Barnabas and Paul whom the church calls “our beloved”. The use of this expression clearly tells how much these two apostles have been accepted and appreciated by the church in Jerusalem. It also means that the work of these servants among the Gentiles is fully acknowledged by them. They also mention that they are people “who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. A more impressive recommendation can hardly be given. By speaking of “our” Lord Jesus Christ, using the full Name of the Lord, they express the fellowship the believers have in that Name.

Besides Barnabas and Paul, also Judas and Silas will be present at the handing over of the letter. They will explain the letter verbally. The letter is not a law, but a report, in which a further explanation helps to understand its purpose. Their message goes beyond just the businesslike, formal handing over of a letter.

They have been witnesses to the establishment of its contents. They have experienced how the Holy Spirit has brought the believers to the unanimous decision which they are now announcing to the Gentiles, so that they have been able to write: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” This means that the Holy Spirit has been able to work in the discussion. The unity to which they have come is His work.

If it had been stated in the letter that the believers in Jerusalem had become united and now communicated their decision in the letter, no one would have doubted that this had been worked out by the Holy Spirit. The fact that the Holy Spirit is explicitly mentioned is done in view of the entire work of the Holy Spirit among the Gentiles. The brethren, the elders and the apostles agree with this work. In this way they have come to the conclusion that not the law, but only the generally binding commandments are to be observed.

The generally binding commandments are imposed on them, they cannot ignore them. These things are called “these essentials”. These are ‘essentials’ because they have to do with

1. the relationship of faithfulness to God to Whom alone may be offered sacrifices,

2. the acknowledgment of His exclusive right to life and

3. the absolute faithfulness in the relationship to one’s neighbor in the most intimate form, that of marriage.

Those who keep themselves free from these essentials do well. Taking these things into account is a benefit to the spiritual life. They conclude the letter with the wish that they will fare well.