Acts 15:22-35 - Conflicts resolved

Having discussed the issue, the apostles and elders decided, together with the whole congregation, that they should choose men to return to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, with the letter that they had written. The reason was obvious - to eliminate suspicion.

They then chose Judas also called Barsabbas and Silas. These were leading people with sound reputation. Had Paul and Barnabas returned without the accompanying men from Jerusalem, they could be accused of having obtained the letter by flattery. This was a wise move on the part of the Jerusalem Council to remove every sinister suspicion.

In the letter that they sent, they also candidly pointed to the trouble makers. They were people from among them who went there without the leaders’ instruction. Those trouble makers were condemned for wrongly troubling them with undue teaching that had unsettled their soul.    

The Jerusalem Council then highlighted two things in verses 25-27. Firstly, they said that they were in total agreement with Paul and Barnabas. Secondly they commended these two for their zeal and fervency, and also their great courage in risking their lives for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. And to add weight to what they had written, they were also sending Judas and Silas to affirm by word of mouth, what they had written in the letter.

What they were doing were carefully weighed, and with one mind they felt the witness of the Holy Spirit not to lay any other extra burden on the Gentile believers, except for the three things: to abstain from things sacrificed to idols; to abstain from fornication; and to abstain from eating foods that were strangled.  

Paul and Barnabas, accompanied by Judas and Silas, returned to Antioch. When the congregation had gathered, they had the letter read. What was written brought great encouragement to the people.

 Meanwhile, Judas and Silas being prophets themselves stayed on to teach (with a lengthy message). They were called prophets in that they were endowed with gifts to understand the mysteries of God. So with that gift, they taught to strengthen and encourage the people. After that Judas returned to Jerusalem while Silas stayed on with the church in Antioch.

Verse 35 tells us that the church was not lacking in gifted people. For apart from Paul and Barnabas, there were many others as well, who continued to preach the word of the Lord.

This account on the deliberation of the Jerusalem council teaches us how to resolve conflict in Christian love and unity. Leaders and members must both be opened to the discussion. First the issue was clearly stated, then the points of view of both sides were heard. Arguments were explained and supported by experiences and Scriptures.

Communication must always be clear to ensure unity. There was honesty on the part of the leaders and openness to examine the crux of the matter. To admit when they were wrong and to redress the wrong to right it.

We need to know that we don’t always have to be right. But we do need always to be honest. There is no problem that cannot be solved if we face the situation squarely and honestly, and allow the Holy Spirit the latitude to move and bring resolution to the issue.