The council's sends a letter to the church of Antioch (Acts 15:22-29) - JSS3 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

James suggestion was accepted by the council. They wrote a letter to the church at Antioch which was delivered by the hand of Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas. These men accompanied Paul and Barnabas back to Antioch where the letter was read to the christian assembly. The council condemned the trouble makers who had disturbed the peace and unity of the church at Antioch. The council stated that they did not act with the authority of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. The council, after praising the good work of Paul and Barnabas, made known their message to the young church. It declared:

 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from unchastity. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. (verse 28 and 29).

 This decision was important. It helped to take christianity away from the narrow limits of a Jewish sect. it secured the continued existence of the christian faith. The door of the church was thrown open to all nations. The fundamental truth of the gospel concerning salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, was thereby secured. The council directed that the work of Paul and Barnabas and other apostles among the Gentiles should continue without any hindrance.

 The delegation delivered the message from the council and added their own words of encouragement. In this way, they gave joy to the disciples at Antioch. Having done their work, Judas and Silas returned to Jerusalem. However, the issue still remained unsettled. The letter mainly dwelt on the question of fellowship within the church between Jewish and Gentile christians. The main question of circumcision of the Gentiles had not been finally. This issue arose again when Paul resumed his second missionary journey. The first Missionary Journey of Paul also touched Perga, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe and finally returned to Antioch of Syria.