Content of the letter (v 23-29)

“The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to the brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: Greetings.” The letter was addressed to the churches in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Cilicia was a region on the western side of Syria, and until AD 72, Syria and Cilicia were part of the same province. Although Luke did not record any details about evangelism in Syria and Cilicia, the church had already spread to those regions. “Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have confused you by their teaching, upsetting 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.” (1) The leaders of the Jerusalem church acknowledged that those who had disturbed the Gentile believers were unauthorized teachers. The Jerusalem church firmly rejected the teaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation. (2) It had been decided that an official delegation was being sent to the Antioch church to convey the unanimous decision made at the Jerusalem Council. The phrase “our beloved Barnabas and Paul” indicates that the Jerusalem church recognized both Barnabas and Paul as apostles. “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.” The phrase “men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” according to the original text, likely refers not to Barnabas and Paul, but to Judas and Silas. The Jerusalem church sent their best representatives as witnesses (ref. Deut. 19:15), ensuring the message was confirmed by reliable testimony. “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:” (1) It was the Holy Spirit who led the believers to this unanimous decision. The Gentiles were not required to bear any “burden.” This means that Gentiles did not need to convert to Judaism in order to be saved. (2) However, out of consideration for Jewish believers, the Gentiles were advised to abstain from: (a) Things sacrificed to idols, (b) blood, (c) strangled animals, and (d) sexual immorality. By practicing love for their neighbors, they would be fulfilling the will of God. For Christians, the most important commandments are the love of God and the love of their neighbors.