Acts chapter 15

vs 21

At first I read this verse as a reasoning for James' argument. But I couldn't quite understand the point behind it. I thought perhaps he was referring to the wide spread of Torah teaching, and how it therefore needed to be dealt with as an issue.

But FF Bruce suggests that James is saying this statement to those who are suggesting the importance of teaching the full Torah law to gentiles - in effect he says "The synagogues are already doing that, and we aren't getting in the way. But we preach Christ".

vs 22

To Antioch specifically in the first instance, because that is where the concerns were raised. So they need an answer.

Look at these names. Barsabbas is kinda well known, but Silas is a big name.

vs 23

And now we get either a copy of the actual letter sent out, or a summary of its contents. Who knows.

Addressed to Antioch, to Syria and to Cilicia. Antioch is a town, I'd have thought Syria a region. Not sure about Cilicia. Is it possible that this is like an address?

vs 24

So first things first - those from the circumcision group were not authorised, at the very least in what they said.

vs 25

This letter now gives authority to those who have been sent, and also shows support for B & P. Good sign.

vs 26

Especially Paul! But Barnabas was right there too.

vs 27

So there's someone to ask questions of the information held within the letters, and so that it's official like - rather than just being a report from P & B.

vs 28

Requirements is a strong term, but unity is an important thing in the church. Bruce actually suggests that there is not suggestion of command here (that is, that the Jerusalem church is respecting the independence of the Antiochan church), but he also says that the Jerusalem church did not want the Antiochan church to ignore the Holy Spirit, or its responsiblity to the church global. Notice that Jerusalem actually gives the authorship of its decision to the Holy Spirit primarily - not I think to try and give it creedence, or to say that they have a monopoly on the message of God, but more to give God the glory for decision making in the church.

vs 29

The list is repeated from vs 20. Apparently, these rules were followed for over a century by the church. One of the european kings of the 9th century had them in the preface to his code of laws too.

But I don't think we are bound by these anymore, unless we are trying to placate a big jewish population.

vs 30

I assume that means that, rather than wait till Sunday, they just met as soon as they could. Some people might say that they waited till Sunday. I think probably not.