Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
The verse arises from a dispute over whether Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses, the entire ceremonial law, in order to be saved. Paul and Barnabas opposed imposing that requirement on the Gentiles, while certain Jewish believers at Antioch supported it. The settlement was reached by the apostles and elders acting as counselors, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to guide rather than imposing church authority by force.
The council set aside prejudice in response to Paul's report and the Spirit's witness to God's work among the Gentiles. It agreed with Paul's position and sent an address to the churches expressing that harmony.
When the believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia read the message, they rejoiced for its consolation. That consolation brought them encouragement and comfort after the dispute over circumcision and the law of Moses was resolved. The council's decision about Gentile converts and the ceremonial law remained valid afterward, so later advice to Paul that contradicted it was inconsistent with it and was not prompted by the Holy Spirit.
The verse arises from a dispute over whether Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses, the entire ceremonial law, in order to be saved. Paul and Barnabas opposed imposing that requirement on the Gentiles, while certain Jewish believers at Antioch supported it. The settlement was reached by the apostles and elders acting as counselors, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to guide rather than imposing church authority by force.
The council set aside prejudice in response to Paul's report and the Spirit's witness to God's work among the Gentiles. It agreed with Paul's position and sent an address to the churches expressing that harmony.
When the believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia read the message, they rejoiced for its consolation. That consolation brought them encouragement and comfort after the dispute over circumcision and the law of Moses was resolved. The council's decision about Gentile converts and the ceremonial law remained valid afterward, so later advice to Paul that contradicted it was inconsistent with it and was not prompted by the Holy Spirit.