Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Acts chapter 15 v 30-35:
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Acts chapter 15 v 30-35:
V30-31: So they come to Antioch, and deliver the letter to the church there, who are greatly encouraged and rejoice in this clarity. It emphasises that the church is One in Christ – there are not to be separate and distinct ” Jewish and Gentile” groups, or terms of faith.
V32: Judas and Silas remain a while and teach and encourage the believers at Antioch, when they are called ” prophets”, it surely has its “ongoing meaning”, not so much foretelling the future, as declaring God’s Word with God-given power and authority.
V33: Then the Antioch church send them back to Jerusalem, with their blessing and in the peace of the Lord. Is there, then, an inconsistency with v40, where Silas becomes Paul’s new missionary companion?
V34: If you read either the ESV or the NIV, this verse is not printed in the main text, as it is in the AV and NKJV, but printed as a footnote. It says ” But it seemed good to Silas to remain there”. and as it stands certainly removes the problem of v40. There are 2 slightly different textual traditions of the NT, and theESV/NIV follow the one where the verse does not appear. But surely, it’s content explains v 40, whether in the original text or not, and suggests it is valid.
V35: Paul and Barnabas remain a while at Antioch, still active together in ministry, along with ” many others “. All this speaks of a steadily growing church, under God’s continued blessing.