Acts 15:22-35 Lesson 255

Acts 15:22-35
Lesson 255

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

A letter to Gentile Christians.

Silas and Judas encourage the congregation in Antioch.

(Artist unknown)

Who was -

Judas -
Judas Barsabas was an apostle, Christian teacher, prophet (15:32), and leading figure in the early Jerusalem church.  Not to be confused with Judas Iscariot.

Silas -
Also called Silvanus.  Silas was a Jew and a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37) who became a "faithful" Christian (1 Peter 5:12),
prophet (Acts 15:32), leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:22), and a missionary (2 Corinthians 1:19).  In our next lesson (256), we will see Silas replace Barnabas on Paul's second missionary journey (Acts 15:37-40). He also helped Paul establish the church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-4) and helped Peter write "The First Epistle General of Peter" (1 Peter 5:12). While in Philippi, Silas and Paul were stripped, beaten, chained, and imprisoned for their Christian faith (Acts 16:19-24). There are Bible scholars who believe that Silas was the bishop of Corinth. However, this can not be proven.

Study Tip:

Don't forget to read the Margin Notes in blue and to click on the links.

The Acts of the Apostles

The King James Bible

Acts 15:22-35
Letters to the Gentiles

22 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:

23 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.

24 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:

25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
Not all translations include verse 34.
Notice that the "New Living Translation" below doesn't.

35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Margin notes:

"Certain which went out from us have troubled you with words." (15:24) - "Some people from here have upset you with their teachings" (Galatians 1:7).

"Subverting your souls." (15:24) - Means "Misleading you."

"To send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul." (15:25) - "To send chosen representatives to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul."

"Hazarded their lives." (15:26) - "Risked their lives."

"It seemed good to the Holy Ghost." (15:28) - The only way the apostles could know what pleased the Holy Ghost, is if God told them.

"Abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. (15:29) - These are from the list suggested by James in Acts 15:20 (lesson 254).

"Fare ye well." (15:29) - Means "goodbye."

"They had gathered the multitude together." (15:30) - "They gathered the church together."

"They delivered the epistle." (15:30) - "They delivered the letter."

"They rejoiced for the consolation." (15:31) - "They were happy for the encouragement."

"Exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them." (15:32) - "Encouraged the believers, and gave them strength."

"Tarried there a space." (15:33) - "Stayed there a while."

"They were let go in peace." (15:33) - "They were sent off in peace."

"It pleased Silas to abide there still." (15:34) - "It pleased Silas to stay awhile."

"Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch." (15:35) - "Paul and Barnabas also stayed in Antioch." Apparently, Judas left immediately.

New Living Translation

Acts 15:22-35
The Letter for Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders-Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas.

23 This is the letter they took with them:

"This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!

24 "We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them!

25 So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.

28 "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements:

29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell."

30 The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter.

31 And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.

32 Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith.

33 They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace.

35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. Why were these letters important? (15:23)

To strengthen your relationship with God, read your Bible daily.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Most early Christians were Jewish converts who accepted Jesus as the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. Even though many converted Jews found it difficult to believe that Gentiles could be saved, they could see God moving in the lives of Christian Gentiles. The evidence that Jesus came to save both Jew and non-Jew was hard to ignore. Still, some Jewish Christians insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law and all the rigid ceremonial rituals and customs. If this belief prevailed, the young church would have been fractured, and Christianity might have become a small religious sect with limited appeal to non-Jews. These letters from the early church leaders assured Gentiles that they could come to Christ without jumping over Jewish religious obstacles. This gave non-Jews a sense of joy and relief (15:31) and allowed Christianity to become a worldwide religion.

Application thought for the day:

The early church was almost split in two because of unimportant differences.
Christians should not allow their differences and methods of worship to separate them from other believers. It is important to remember that all who find Jesus, find salvation.

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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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