Acts 15:22-35

22Then 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. 23With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. 24We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. 25So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29You 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.

30The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33After spending some time there, they were sent off by the brothers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. 35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

Questions to consider:

• How do the apostles and elders carry out their solution to the problem facing Gentile
believers?
• What kind of men are chosen to take the letter to Antioch?
• Does Jesus Christ mean more to you than your life? How do you know?
• How is the news received in Antioch?
• What are some “burdens” that you lay on yourself and other Christians? Are there ways in
which you have drifted into a type of legalism that demands things that God has not
actually demanded?

Possibilities for prayer:

Have you ever had a really bad day, or been really discouraged about something, but then a friend seemed to know just what to say or do to make you feel better? Just a few encouraging words can go a long way.

Let’s ask God to give us the gift of encouragement, that we might find the words to say and things to do to nurture and strengthen those around us. You’ll probably be surprised by how good it makes you feel to offer such encouragement--not to mention the recipients!