Acts 15:21-25
 
Acts 15:21 (KJB)
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
 
James wanted to be sure that what was sent was totally biblical because every Jew who was a regular attendee at Synagogue, would know these things which were written in the law of Moses. These things were read since the time they were written and showed that the Christians had respect for the Hebrew Scriptures and were in no way rejecting them. This would also give the Gentile Christians a little more insight into the background of the Jewish Christians.
 
Acts 15:22 (KJB)
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
 
The entire church assembly had agreed on what James had offered, so they decided to send this word back to the Antioch church with Paul and Barnabas. To give a further confirmation that this was truly what was discussed and accepted, they decided to send two of the rulers of the church with them. One of the men they sent was a man named “Silas” who was otherwise known as “Silvanus.” He was a Jewish Christian and also a Roman citizen as he was flogged with Paul at Philippi. (Acts 16:37 KJV) But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. The other man who accompanied them was “Judas” surnamed “Barsabas.” Not much more is known about him as he is not mentioned after this chapter, however, God saw fit to mention him in the eternal book of books. There is no such thing as a menial task in the kingdom of God.
 
Acts 15:23 (KJB)
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:
 
They then penned the letters which were to go to the various churches with their response. The letter gave them all a nice greeting calling them brethren. It went to the churches located in Antioch, which would probably have been the Antioch in Pisidia where Paul and Barnabas had ministered. Then they sent a copy to the church in Antioch, Syria which was the center of Christianity at that time. Then a copy was sent to Cilicia where the Apostle Paul’s home town Tarsus was located. They called them brethren because distance between believers in the body of Christ means nothing because we are all in Christ.
 
Acts 15:24 (KJB)
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:
 
Subverting - Troubled or disturbed
 
The letter then went on to acknowledge the situation that some from the Jerusalem church had gone to the Gentile churches and started to teach that for a person to be saved, they must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. Then the elders publish a stern denial that they never entertained that type of doctrine whereby any works of the law were to be appended to salvation by grace. This teaching had become so strong by these false teachers, that it actually subverted their souls. Any time false teaching comes into a church, it should instantly be challenged as these churches did. They immediately went to the Elders and Apostles for clarification of this matter and the Lord responded to them by sending them the answers by the very people who discussed it.
 
Acts 15:25 (KJB)
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
 
The Jerusalem church was being very cordial and helpful as they dispatched Paul and Barnabas along with some of their chief men from the church. They wanted them to know that this matter was as important to the Jerusalem church as it was to them. Satan’s attacks will come in the form of an appearance of truth and that is the essence of deception. This is why these churches were in consternation because they knew something was wrong but needed to know what and they received their answers plus the people dispatched could hold a time of discussion with all the Elders of the various churches to quash this false teaching.

Back