Acts 15 4

Acts 15:4 kjv

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Acts 15:4 nkjv

And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.

Acts 15:4 niv

When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

Acts 15:4 esv

When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.

Acts 15:4 nlt

When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them.

Acts 15 verses

Acts 15 4 Meaning

Acts 15:4 describes Paul and Barnabas's arrival in Jerusalem after their first missionary journey, where they were warmly welcomed by the gathered assembly of believers, the apostles, and the elders. During this reception, they presented a comprehensive account of everything God had accomplished through them during their missionary endeavors among the Gentiles. This verse highlights the church's early structure, the practice of reporting on mission work, and the recognition that all successful ministry is ultimately God's work.

Acts 15 4 Context

Acts chapter 15 records the significant event of the Jerusalem Council, a pivotal moment in early church history addressing the contentious question of whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and adhere to Mosaic Law to be saved. Verse 4 serves as the prelude to this discussion. Paul and Barnabas had just returned to Antioch from their first missionary journey, where they had successfully preached the Gospel to many Gentiles. Upon their return, certain Jewish believers, identified as "some from Judea" in verse 1, began teaching that Gentile converts must be circumcised according to the custom of Moses. This ignited a sharp disagreement in Antioch, leading the Antioch church to send Paul, Barnabas, and others to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles and elders there regarding this theological crisis. Acts 15:4 describes their official welcome by the Jerusalem church leaders before the formal debate of the council commenced. This preliminary report of God's work among the Gentiles provided firsthand testimony of their successful evangelism.

Acts 15 4 Word analysis

• And when they were come: Indicates the successful completion of their journey from Antioch to Jerusalem, fulfilling the purpose set out in Acts 15:2.
• to Jerusalem: Hierosolyma (Greek: Ἱεροσόλυμα). The significant center of early Christianity, the location of the mother church, and the base for the apostles and many elders. Going to Jerusalem underscored the importance and gravity of the issue at hand.
• they were received: apodechomai (Greek: ἀποδέχομαι). This word signifies not merely a passive reception, but a hearty, welcoming acceptance and approval. It suggests a warm embrace and recognition of their status and mission by the Jerusalem church.
• of the church: ekklesia (Greek: ἐκκλησία). Refers to the collective assembly of believers, the entire congregation in Jerusalem. This indicates the broad involvement and acceptance of the missionaries' report by the wider Christian community.
• and of the apostles: apostolos (Greek: ἀπόστολος). The select group of commissioned witnesses of Christ, possessing unique authority and insight, especially Peter, James, and John, who were foundational leaders. Their reception was crucial for validating Paul and Barnabas's Gentile mission.
• and of the elders: presbyteros (Greek: πρεσβύτερος). Experienced and mature spiritual leaders within the Jerusalem church. This shows the emerging structured leadership within the early church, distinct from but working alongside the apostles. Their involvement highlights a council format with established church governance.
• and they declared: anangello (Greek: ἀναγγέλλω). To report, announce, or declare fully. This was not a casual conversation but a formal, detailed presentation of their experiences, signifying a transparent and accountable report of their ministry.
• all things that God had done: panta hosa epoiesen ho Theos (Greek: πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν ὁ Θεός). This phrase emphasizes divine agency. Paul and Barnabas presented the results as God's work, not their own achievement or strategy. This frames the missionary success as undeniable evidence of God's favor upon the Gentile mission.
• with them: Implies God's active presence, partnership, and enablement through Paul and Barnabas. It highlights the divine-human collaboration in advancing the Gospel, giving glory to God alone for the fruits of the mission.

• "received of the church, and of the apostles, and of the elders": This grouping demonstrates the three levels of early church reception and authority: the general body of believers, the highest apostolic authority, and the established local church leadership. It indicates a formal, comprehensive welcome and an acknowledgment by the entire Jerusalem Christian community and its recognized leadership. This layered reception gave significant legitimacy to the missionaries' account before the theological debate ensued.
• "declared all things that God had done with them": This phrase emphasizes the theological conviction of Paul and Barnabas that their missionary success was fundamentally a result of God's active hand. Their report was not merely an itinerary of places visited or people converted, but a testimony to the divine power working through them to reach the Gentiles. This highlights God's sovereignty and initiation in salvation and validates the inclusion of Gentiles without demanding Jewish law conformity.

Acts 15 4 Bonus section

This verse implies an early system of accountability within the burgeoning Christian community, where those sent out for missionary work would return and report to the commissioning church or its spiritual authority. This practice fosters transparency, ensures doctrinal fidelity, and allows for shared celebration of God's work. The meticulous detailing of "the church, and of the apostles, and of the elders" being involved in the reception and hearing of the report suggests that Jerusalem possessed a well-structured and influential spiritual governance, even in its early decades. The initial positive reception indicated by "received" sets the stage, demonstrating that the Jerusalem church was, at least initially, open to the testimony of God's work among Gentiles, laying the groundwork for the council's eventual decision which validated the Pauline mission.

Acts 15 4 Commentary

Acts 15:4 serves as the critical initial step towards the resolution of the Gentile question. Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem with the primary goal of seeking apostolic endorsement for their gospel, which affirmed salvation by faith alone, apart from the Law of Moses. Their public welcome and subsequent report to the entire Jerusalem church – including the congregation, apostles, and elders – established the legitimacy of their ministry and presented undeniable evidence of God's saving work among the uncircumcised. By framing their successes as "all things that God had done with them," they directed attention to divine initiative and validated the inclusion of Gentiles by divine action. This formal communication prepared the ground for the deeper theological discussion at the upcoming council, showing unity and acceptance among believers before specific disagreements were addressed. It underscores the early church's practice of accountability, transparent communication, and collective decision-making, acknowledging that ultimate authority and efficacy rested with God.