Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. 23 This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some of our number [who went out] without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, 25 we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: 28 ‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, 29 namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’”
The Jerusalem Council was convened to address the critical issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to observe the Mosaic Law, particularly circumcision, to be saved. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, a decision was reached by the apostles and presbyters, together with the consensus and participation of the entire Christian community in Jerusalem, ensuring wider acceptance and adherence (cf. Acts 6:2-5). The Council chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas to accompany Paul and Barnabas to Antioch to deliver a letter to the Gentile Christians in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, key centers of early Christian activity.
Judas Barsabbas was identified as a leader among the brethren in Jerusalem. He was considered for apostleship in Acts 1:23. Silas, also known as Silvanus in some New Testament writings, is another prominent leader in the early Church. They are described as prophets (Acts 15:32), indicating their role in teaching and encouraging believers on faith and conduct within the Christian community. Judas and Silas added credibility to the Council’s decision.
The letter is an official communication from the Jerusalem Council introducing themselves as “brothers,” emphasizing the familial and equal relationship they share with the Gentile believers. It acknowledges that certain individuals, without the authorization of the apostles and elders, have caused confusion and anxiety among the Gentile believers with erroneous teachings. The apostles and presbyters unanimously decided to send representatives, along with Paul and Barnabas, who were praised for their dedication to the Gospel. Judas and Silas were sent to confirm what was communicated in the letter.
The letter stated that the Council was guided by the Holy Spirit in making its decision, implying that the requirements stated in the letter were divinely inspired and necessary for maintaining unity and harmony within the Church. The four prohibitions were designed to address specific practices that could cause division and offense between Jewish and Gentile Christians. In the Greco-Roman world, it was common for meat sold in markets to have been sacrificed to idols in pagan temples. Consuming such meat could be seen as participating in idol worship which was strictly forbidden by the first commandment (Ex. 20:3-6; Deut. 5:7-9). The consumption of blood, and consuming meats from strangled animals, were explicitly prohibited in the Mosaic Law. Jewish dietary laws require that animals be properly slaughtered to ensure that blood is drained (Lev. 17:10-14). Avoiding unlawful marriage refers to prohibitions against incestuous relationships, which were common in Gentile societies but condemned by Jewish law (Lev. 18:6-18).
Heavenly Father, help us to seek unity and harmony within our diverse Christian communities, respecting and loving one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Grant us the grace to uphold Your teachings and to live in a way that honors You, avoiding anything that may cause division or stumbling. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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