Acts 15:22 kjv
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:
Acts 15:22 nkjv
Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
Acts 15:22 niv
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.
Acts 15:22 esv
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
Acts 15:22 nlt
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.
Acts 15 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 15:25 | It has seemed good to us... to choose men and send them... | Highlights collective agreement and intention to dispatch messengers. |
| Acts 15:28 | For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us... | Confirms divine endorsement and Spirit-guidance of their decision. |
| Acts 1:23 | And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus) and Matthias. | Identifies a likely kinsman of Judas, highlighting prominent families. |
| Acts 16:1-5 | Paul wanted to take him along, and he took and circumcised him... So the churches were strengthened in the faith... | Silas's future ministry with Paul; reinforces the implementation of Council's decrees. |
| Acts 13:2 | While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." | Illustrates God's sovereign choice and sending of ministers. |
| Acts 6:3 | Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. | Demonstrates the early church's method of selecting qualified servants. |
| Acts 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. | Reinforces the mission of believers to bear witness and spread the truth. |
| 1 Pet 5:1-3 | So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ... shepherd the flock of God that is among you... | Outlines the shepherd leadership role of elders. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. | Explains God-given church offices and their purpose of equipping. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | Emphasizes the crucial need for church unity and agreement. |
| Phil 2:2 | Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. | Calls for harmonious unity and single-mindedness among believers. |
| Mt 18:20 | For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. | Jesus' promise of presence in unified gatherings for His name. |
| Lk 24:48 | You are witnesses of these things. | Christ's charge to disciples to be His official witnesses. |
| 1 Tim 3:1-7 | If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach... | Lays out character requirements for church leaders (elders/overseers). |
| Tit 1:5-9 | This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—if anyone is blameless... | Provides qualifications and instructions for appointing elders. |
| Num 27:16-17 | Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall come out before them and go in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in... | God's sovereign design for appointing leaders over His people. |
| Jer 3:15 | And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. | God's promise to provide spiritual leaders who will faithfully instruct. |
| Mal 2:7 | For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. | Describes the duty of spiritual leaders to uphold and teach divine truth. |
| Jn 17:21 | ...that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. | Jesus' prayer for unity among believers for effective evangelism. |
| Rom 15:6 | May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father... | Highlights that unity enables collective glorification of God. |
| Acts 20:28 | Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. | Emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in appointing church leaders. |
| 2 Cor 3:1-2 | Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts... | Underscores the importance of authentic, reputable messengers in gaining trust. |
Acts 15 verses
Acts 15 22 Meaning
Acts 15:22 details the unanimous decision of the Jerusalem Council, comprising apostles, elders, and the entire church, to appoint and dispatch two prominent members, Judas Barsabbas and Silas, alongside Paul and Barnabas. Their mission was to formally convey the council's authoritative resolution regarding Gentile inclusion in the Christian faith without requiring circumcision or full adherence to the Mosaic Law, thereby ensuring unity and clarity across the early church.
Acts 15 22 Context
Acts 15 records the pivotal Jerusalem Council, convened to address the contentious issue of whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law to be saved. This verse, Acts 15:22, marks the culmination of this profound theological and practical debate. Following robust discussion, Peter's testimony, Paul and Barnabas's report, and James's final pronouncement (drawing from Scripture), the leaders reached a unified decision. The historical context reveals the early church grappling with its Jewish roots while expanding to include Gentiles, a critical transition point. The choice to send official delegates alongside Paul and Barnabas demonstrates the desire to clearly communicate the council's decree to the wider Christian communities, particularly in Antioch where the controversy originated, ensuring its authority and widespread acceptance. It signifies a collective, Spirit-guided effort to preserve doctrinal purity and church unity in the face of significant theological disagreement.
Acts 15 22 Word analysis
- Then (Τότε - tote): Indicates a chronological progression, marking the next decisive step following the discussions and pronouncements (Acts 15:1-21). It signals a transition to active implementation of the council's findings.
- it seemed good (ἔδοξεν - edoxen): A significant verb indicating a resolved or decided outcome, meaning "it was fitting," "it was determined," or "it was decided." When coupled with "to the Holy Spirit and to us" (v. 28), it implies a consensus reached under divine inspiration and guidance. This highlights that the decision was not merely human judgment but had a perceived divine sanction.
- to the apostles (τοῖς ἀποστόλοις - tois apostolois): Refers to those divinely commissioned and recognized as foundational authorities of the early church, holding a unique teaching and leadership role, primarily witnesses to Christ's resurrection. Their consent lends apostolic weight and legitimacy to the decision.
- and the elders (καὶ τοῖς πρεσβυτέροις - kai tois presbyterois): Signifies the mature, respected spiritual overseers and leaders within the local Jerusalem church. Their presence alongside the apostles indicates a broader base of leadership involvement in significant decisions, demonstrating a collaborative governance structure.
- with the whole church (σὺν ὅλῃ τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ - syn holē tē ekklēsia): This phrase is crucial. It means the entire assembly or congregation actively participated in or assented to the decision, not just a select few leaders. This shows a high level of congregational endorsement and collective ownership, ensuring wider acceptance and commitment to the resolution.
- to choose men (ἐκλεξαμένους ἄνδρας - eklexamenous andras): Emphasizes deliberate selection. "Eklexamenous" means "to pick out" or "select out from a number," implying careful discernment and purposeful appointment of reliable individuals to represent the council.
- from among them (ἐξ αὐτῶν - ex autōn): Specifies that the chosen men were drawn from the members of the Jerusalem church itself. This ensures they were known, trusted, and authentically represented the body that sent them.
- and send them (πέμψαι - pempsai): To dispatch or commission on a journey or mission. This signifies a formal and official delegation, ensuring the message would be delivered with full authority and prevent miscommunication.
- to Antioch (εἰς Ἀντιόχειαν - eis Antiocheian): The primary destination. Antioch was where the controversy originated and where Paul and Barnabas ministered, making it essential to address the source of contention directly and confirm the decree to that prominent Gentile church.
- with Paul and Barnabas (σὺν τῷ Παύλῳ καὶ Βαρναβᾷ - syn tō Paulō kai Barnaba): Critical for validation. Paul and Barnabas were at the center of the dispute, representing Gentile missions. Their return with the official Jerusalem delegation vindicated their position and added further weight to the decree's authenticity.
- Judas called Barsabbas (Ἰούδαν τὸν καλούμενον Βαρσαββᾶν - Ioudan ton kaloumenon Barsabban): A prominent and respected individual in the Jerusalem church, possibly related to Joseph Barsabbas (Acts 1:23). His name "Barsabbas" meaning "son of the Sabbath" or "son of an oath" might suggest a devout and trustworthy character.
- and Silas (καὶ Σίλαν - kai Silan): Another leading figure, a Roman citizen (Acts 16:37), and prophet (Acts 15:32). His inclusion would later lead to his faithful partnership with Paul in future missionary journeys, highlighting his reliability and prophetic ministry.
- leading men among the brothers (ἡγουμένους ἐν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς - hegoumenous en tois adelphois): Describes the distinguished status of Judas and Silas. "Hegoumenous" means "chief men," "leaders," or "those who lead/govern." Their recognized standing added significant credibility and authority to the message they carried, ensuring the decree's serious reception.
Acts 15 22 Bonus section
The active involvement of "the whole church" alongside the apostles and elders implies more than just passive assent; it suggests a collective affirmation, perhaps by a form of acclamation or voice, of the leadership's Spirit-led decision. This shows a balanced model of church polity where the spiritual authority of leaders converges with the affirmation of the congregation. Silas's identified prophetic gift (Acts 15:32) suggests that his contribution to the mission would extend beyond just bearing the letter, potentially involving Spirit-inspired encouragement and further clarification for the believers in Antioch. This episode also stands as a historical blueprint for ecumenical dialogue and resolving theological disputes within the wider Body of Christ, emphasizing collective deliberation, Spirit-guided consensus, and authoritative, unifying communication.
Acts 15 22 Commentary
Acts 15:22 showcases a pivotal moment in the early Christian church, demonstrating a pattern of collaborative governance and Spirit-led decision-making. The consensus of "the apostles, the elders, with the whole church" highlights a comprehensive and authoritative approach to resolving complex doctrinal issues, blending apostolic authority, local elder leadership, and congregational affirmation. This broad endorsement ensured legitimacy and widespread acceptance of the council's decree. The deliberate selection of "leading men among the brothers," Judas Barsabbas and Silas, was strategic. They were chosen as authoritative witnesses and tangible proof of the unity achieved in Jerusalem, their presence validating the written decree and lending weight to the message carried by Paul and Barnabas. This act solidified the message's authority in Antioch, the epicentre of the debate, and served to prevent future disunity, establishing a foundational principle of salvation by grace without the burden of Mosaic rituals. The choice to send specific, prominent individuals created a living endorsement of the council's decision, ensuring clarity, quelling controversy, and fostering peace across the burgeoning Christian movement.