Communioin of the Saints

Acts 15:22-35 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, two men who were leaders among the brothers. 23 With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, “To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.” 30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
 
THE church is faithful to God’s purpose. Many Jews wanted to hold to the law of circumcision for Gentile Christians. Gentiles were living in the common habit of sexual immorality and foods that related to idol worship. Each group had to adjust their thoughts to center on God’s commands and his grace of salvation.
   The key to this is understanding it seemed good to the Holy Spirit. They have met to hear Peter’s, Paul’s and Barnabas’ testimony of the Spirit’s action in their lives. The church’s leaders have apparently prayed and sought God’s response. Knowing the Scriptures, the testimony and the Spirit’s revelation, the council submitted to his leading and directed the new converts in Antioch to do the same.
   James and the apostles also recognize God is doing a great work in Antioch. Silas and Barsabbas join Paul and Barnabas. In communion with each other and the Spirit, these four gifted men strengthened and guided the church. Silas and Barsabbas returned to Jerusalem. This tells us others in Antioch became prophets – teaching God’s Word. We will see Silas again soon. In the meantime Paul and Barnabas and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.  
   This is discipleship. Jesus’ preachers and teachers are growing in number because they are hearing and doing what seems good to the Spirit.