Acts 15:4

KJV

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} when they were come {G3854} to {G1519} Jerusalem {G2419}, they were received {G588} of {G5259} the church {G1577}, and {G2532} of the apostles {G652} and {G2532} elders {G4245}, and {G5037} they declared {G312} all things {G3745} that God {G2316} had done {G4160} with {G3326} them {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On arrival in Yerushalayim, they were welcomed by the Messianic community, including the emissaries and the elders; and they reported what God had done through them.

Berean Standard Bible

On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.

American Standard Version

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Upon their arrival in Jerusalem, Paul and Barnabas, fresh from their groundbreaking first missionary journey, were warmly welcomed by the entire Christian community, including the esteemed apostles and elders. In this pivotal moment, they formally presented a detailed account of all the miraculous works and salvific acts that God had accomplished through them among the Gentiles, setting the stage for the crucial theological deliberations of the Jerusalem Council regarding Gentile inclusion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 15:4 is a crucial transitional verse that bridges the initial controversy in Antioch (Acts 15:1-3) with the formal assembly of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:6ff). Having been commissioned by the church in Antioch and encountering significant opposition from certain Jewish believers who insisted on Gentile circumcision for salvation, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem to seek resolution from the church's central leadership. This verse describes their reception and the immediate purpose of their visit: to report on God's work, thereby laying the groundwork for the ensuing debate and decision that would shape the future of the early church. It highlights the importance of communal discernment and accountability within the nascent Christian movement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jerusalem served as the spiritual and administrative hub of the early Christian church, being the place where the Holy Spirit was first poured out at Pentecost and where the apostles, eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry, resurrection, and ascension, were based. The "church" in Jerusalem was a significant body, and the "apostles and elders" constituted its recognized leadership, providing authoritative guidance. The issue of Gentile inclusion without circumcision or full adherence to Mosaic Law was a profoundly contentious matter, challenging centuries of Jewish identity and practice. Their reception and report in Jerusalem underscore the critical need for a unified theological stance that would transcend cultural and religious boundaries, ensuring the Gospel's unhindered spread.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of Acts. Firstly, it emphasizes **divine initiative in missions**, as Paul and Barnabas "declared all things that God had done with them," underscoring that the success of their Gentile ministry was God's work, not merely human effort. This echoes the broader narrative of Acts, which consistently highlights the Holy Spirit's leading and empowerment in the spread of the Gospel, as seen in [the Spirit's commissioning of Paul and Barnabas](/acts/13-2 "Acts 13:2 - The Spirit Commissions Paul and Barnabas"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **accountability and communal authority**. Despite their apostolic authority, Paul and Barnabas submitted their ministry and its results to the scrutiny and discernment of the Jerusalem leadership, demonstrating a commitment to unity and shared governance within the early church, a principle evident throughout [the early church's development](/acts/6 "Acts 6 - The Appointment of Deacons"). Finally, the act of "declaring" their experiences serves as a powerful **testimony and reporting** mechanism, informing the leadership, celebrating God's powerful work, and fostering solidarity, much like their earlier report to the church in Antioch in [Acts 14:27](/acts/14-27 "Acts 14:27 - Paul and Barnabas Report to Antioch").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **received (Greek, _apodéchomai'_):** This verb (G588) signifies "to take fully," implying a warm welcome and full acceptance, not merely a casual encounter. It suggests that Paul and Barnabas were not just acknowledged but were embraced and approved by the Jerusalem church and its leaders, indicating a readiness for open dialogue despite the brewing controversy.
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** Derived from a compound meaning "a calling out" (G1577), this term refers to a popular meeting or, specifically in this context, a religious congregation. Here, it denotes the entire Christian community in Jerusalem, highlighting the corporate nature of the early church and the collective body of believers who gathered to receive the missionaries and hear their report.
* **declared (Greek, _anangéllō'_):** This word (G312) means "to announce in detail," "to report," or "to make known." It implies a comprehensive and formal presentation, not a casual recounting. Paul and Barnabas provided a thorough, perhaps even chronological, account of their missionary endeavors, emphasizing the specific interventions and miraculous works of God among the Gentiles.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they were come to Jerusalem":** This phrase establishes the geographical and temporal setting, marking the arrival of Paul and Barnabas in the central hub of early Christianity. Their journey from Antioch was purposeful, driven by the need to address the theological dispute regarding Gentile converts.
* **"they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders":** This clause describes the warm and formal welcome extended to Paul and Barnabas. The reception by the "church" (the entire believing community) and specifically by the "apostles and elders" (the recognized spiritual and administrative leadership) underscores the legitimacy of their mission and the importance of their presence for the broader Christian movement. It signifies an official welcome into the highest councils of the early church.
* **"and they declared all things that God had done with them":** This is the core action of the verse. Paul and Barnabas presented a detailed report, emphasizing that the successes and breakthroughs in their ministry among the Gentiles were not due to their own efforts or strategies, but were entirely the sovereign work of God. This highlights the divine agency behind the expansion of the Gospel and sets the theological framework for the subsequent council.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Narrative Reporting**, a common literary device in Acts, to convey a significant event in the early church's history. Luke, as the author, meticulously records the sequence of events, from arrival to reception to the formal declaration, providing a factual and orderly account. There is also a strong element of **Divine Agency**, as the focus is explicitly on "all things that God had done," rather than on the accomplishments of Paul and Barnabas. This rhetorical choice underscores the theological conviction that the missionary expansion was supernaturally driven. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the intense debate and monumental decision of the Jerusalem Council that immediately follows, hinting at the profound implications of God's work among the Gentiles for the future of the Christian faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 15:4 serves as a powerful testament to the early church's commitment to accountability, unity, and the recognition of God's sovereign work in the world. Paul and Barnabas, despite their direct calling by the Holy Spirit, willingly submitted their ministry and its results to the collective discernment of the Jerusalem leadership. This act underscored the corporate nature of the church and the importance of shared authority in addressing theological and practical challenges. Their report, centered on "all things that God had done," shifted the focus from human achievements to divine initiative, reminding the church that mission is fundamentally God's work through His Spirit. This principle remains vital today, calling believers to attribute success in ministry to God's grace and power, fostering humility and dependence on Him.

* [1 Corinthians 3:6-7](/1_corinthians/3-6-7 "1 Corinthians 3:6-7 - God Gives the Increase")
* [Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Works in You")
* [Hebrews 13:17](/hebrews/13-17 "Hebrews 13:17 - Obey Your Leaders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 15:4 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers and the church. Firstly, it highlights the indispensable value of accountability within Christian leadership. Paul and Barnabas, though apostles, did not operate autonomously but willingly presented their work to the broader church and its recognized leaders. This models a healthy spiritual ecosystem where transparency, mutual respect, and shared discernment are prioritized, safeguarding against individualism and promoting corporate unity. Secondly, the emphasis on "all things that God had done with them" serves as a powerful reminder for us to continually acknowledge and celebrate God's hand in our lives and ministries. It encourages a posture of humility, recognizing that our successes are ultimately His work, fostering gratitude and dependence. Finally, the act of formally reporting and testifying to God's work underscores the importance of sharing our faith stories and the ways God is moving in the world. Such testimonies encourage fellow believers, build corporate faith, and glorify God, strengthening the bonds of fellowship and inspiring further mission.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry are you quick to take credit, rather than attributing success to God's work?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater spirit of accountability and transparency in your spiritual walk and leadership roles?**
* **What opportunities do you have to formally or informally share "all things that God has done with you" to encourage others and glorify Him?**
* **How does the early church's model of addressing conflict (through communal reception and reporting) inform how we should approach disagreements in the church today?**

### FAQ

**Why was it important for Paul and Barnabas to report to the church in Jerusalem?**

Answer: It was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, Jerusalem was the spiritual epicenter of the early church, where the apostles and elders, who held significant authority and were eyewitnesses to Jesus' ministry, resided. Reporting to them ensured theological alignment and unity across the burgeoning Christian movement, especially concerning the contentious issue of Gentile inclusion. Secondly, it demonstrated accountability on the part of Paul and Barnabas, showing their submission to the collective wisdom and authority of the church's leadership. Finally, their detailed report of God's work among the Gentiles provided essential evidence and testimony for the upcoming Jerusalem Council, which would debate and ultimately decide on the terms of Gentile salvation, as detailed in [Acts 15:6-29](/acts/15-6-29 "Acts 15:6-29 - The Jerusalem Council's Decision").

**What was the significance of "all things that God had done with them" in their report?**

Answer: This phrase is profoundly significant because it highlights the divine agency behind the missionary success, rather than attributing it to human effort or strategy. By emphasizing that God was the active agent, Paul and Barnabas underscored that the inclusion of Gentiles was not a human innovation but a sovereign work of God's Spirit. This theological framing was critical for the Jerusalem Council, as it presented a powerful argument that God Himself was breaking down the traditional barriers between Jews and Gentiles, fulfilling prophecies and expanding His kingdom in a new and unexpected way, as seen in [Peter's vision and subsequent ministry to Cornelius](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter's Vision and Cornelius's Conversion"). It shifted the debate from a question of human rules to a recognition of divine action.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 15:4, though seemingly a simple narrative detail, profoundly points to the Christ-centered nature of God's redemptive plan. The "all things that God had done" among the Gentiles through Paul and Barnabas were ultimately the fruit of Christ's finished work on the cross. It was through Jesus' death and resurrection that the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile was broken down, as powerfully articulated in [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace"). The inclusion of Gentiles, without requiring full adherence to the Mosaic Law, was a direct consequence of Christ's new covenant, which superseded the old, fulfilling the promise that all nations would be blessed through Abraham's seed, who is Christ ([Galatians 3:8-9](/galatians/3-8-9 "Galatians 3:8-9 - The Blessing of Abraham Through Christ")). The Holy Spirit, poured out by the ascended Christ, was the divine agent enabling this expansion, demonstrating that the Spirit's work is inextricably linked to the person and mission of Jesus ([John 16:7-8](/john/16-7-8 "John 16:7-8 - The Spirit's Work")). Thus, the report in Acts 15:4 is not merely about missionary success but about the unfolding of God's universal salvation plan, centered entirely on the person and work of Jesus Christ, the one who makes all things new and draws all peoples to Himself ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 15:12

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Acts 14:27

And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

Acts 15:3

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

Romans 15:18

For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,

Acts 21:17

And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

2 Corinthians 5:19

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Acts 21:19

And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.