First Church Shambles Sorted

Some passages in Acts provide an example for us to follow and others provide a warning of things to avoid. Acts 15 is a warning. Councils and compromise lead to bad solutions. They should be avoided. Acts 15 does not provide a justification for subsequent ecumenical councils.

In this case the apostles and elders messed things up in Antioch. A fresh new move of God was give a pointless set of rules that could have choked life from it. Fortunately the situation was partially recovered by the prophets. Judas and Silas, who were sent to deliver the letter, were both prophets (Acts 15:22).

Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words (Acts 15:32).

These two prophets did not muck round with stupid rules. They concentrated on encouraging and strengthening the disciples. This is what they really needed.

Silas actually caught the vision of Antioch and became an apostolic prophet. He was Paul’s partner on his second apostolic advance (Acts 15:40). He shared in some of Paul’s greatest adventures.