Acts 15:4

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Context

Acts 15:4 details a crucial moment in the early church's history. Paul and Barnabas, having just completed their first significant missionary journey, traveled from Antioch to Jerusalem. Their primary purpose in coming to Jerusalem was to address a growing controversy: whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and observe the Mosaic Law to be saved (Acts 15:1). Upon their arrival, they were formally welcomed by the entire Christian community, including the apostles and elders, the recognized leaders of the nascent church. This verse sets the stage for the pivotal Jerusalem Council, where this theological dispute would be debated and resolved.

Key Themes

  • Accountability and Authority: Paul and Barnabas, despite their apostolic commission, willingly submitted to the collective wisdom and authority of the church in Jerusalem. Their report demonstrates a commitment to unity and shared governance within the early Christian movement.
  • Divine Initiative in Missions: The phrase "all things that God had done with them" is central. It underscores that the success of their missionary efforts among the Gentiles was attributed not to their own skill or power, but to God's active involvement and blessing. This highlights a core theological perspective of the book of Acts.
  • Reporting and Testimony: The act of "declaring" their experiences served multiple purposes: informing the leadership, testifying to God's powerful work, and building solidarity within the church. This echoes their previous actions upon returning to Antioch, where they gathered the church and rehearsed all that God had done with them.
  • Unity and Fellowship: The warm reception by the church, apostles, and elders indicates a desire for unity and fellowship, even in the face of significant doctrinal disagreement. It shows the importance of open communication and mutual respect in resolving church-wide issues.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "received of the church" simply means they were welcomed and acknowledged by the community and its leaders. The Greek word for "declared" is aneggellan (ἀνήγγελλον), which means to report, announce, or make known. It implies a detailed and comprehensive presentation of their experiences and observations, emphasizing the miraculous work of God among the Gentiles. This was not a casual conversation but a formal report to the assembled leadership.

Practical Application

Acts 15:4 offers valuable lessons for the church today:

  • Importance of Accountability: Ministers and missionaries should remain accountable to the wider church and its leadership, fostering transparency and unity.
  • Focus on God's Work: We are reminded to attribute success in ministry and life to God's power and grace, rather than our own efforts. It is "God who works in you" (Philippians 2:13).
  • Value of Testimony: Sharing what God is doing in our lives and ministries encourages faith and builds up the body of Christ.
  • Addressing Conflict with Unity: The early church modeled a way to address significant theological disputes through communal discernment, open discussion, and submission to recognized spiritual authority, prioritizing unity and the advancement of the Gospel.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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