Acts 15:22-35
22 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. 23 This is the letter they took with them:
“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!24 “We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! 25 So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: 29 You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and delivered the letter. 31 And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message.
32 Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. 33 They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace. 35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.
I have a theory: you don’t really know a person until you stay in their home. When I think about the many relationships I have had in my life I can distinguish the strength of a friendship by this simple maxim. In many cultures having a guest stay in a home is a very important event. I’ll never forget the small, elderly Ukrainian woman who welcomed me into her home by kissing me on the forehead and repeating “God has blessed me on my birthday by giving me a visitor, giving me a son” in a foreign language. What she said was later translated to me and brought tears to my eyes.
In today’s passage we read the story of four men who were sent to bring new joy to the early Gentile believers. Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Barsabbas went to Antioch give the Gentiles a letter. This letter gave the Christians instructions on how to live a good life: “If you do this, you will do well” (v.29b). But these men went a step beyond delivering a letter and encouraging these people; they formed relationships with them. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch to disciple the believers in teaching and preaching (v.35). Barsabbas and Silas “spoke extensively to the Christians, encouraging and strengthening their faith” (v.32). Then, the scripture makes a very interesting distinction, “they stayed for a while” (v.33).
We serve a relational God who loves us so much that He sent His Son to live in our hearts. When we think about the example Jesus set by interacting with others we see that He didn’t just want to have a conversation, He wanted to have a relationship. Think about the people God has put into your path and into your ministry. Pray that He will direct you in forming bonds with others.
Youth Department