What does Acts 15:35 mean?

Explanation

Acts 15:35 is a verse from the New Testament of the Christian Bible, describing the continued ministry of Paul and Barnabas in Antioch following the Jerusalem Council.

After the council's decision regarding Gentile Christians, Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch to teach and proclaim the message of the Lord.

The phrase "with many others also" implies that the task of preaching was not just limited to these two apostles but involved a larger group of believers.

The verse reflects the ongoing evangelistic and discipleship efforts in the early Christian church, with a focus on the dissemination of the Gospel and teaching of new converts.

Historical Context

Acts 15:35 takes place after the Jerusalem Council, a seminal event in the early Christian church detailed earlier in Acts 15.

This gathering of the apostles and elders was called to address the issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity were required to follow the law of Moses, particularly circumcision.

This council concluded that Gentiles were not obliged to follow these Jewish customs, which was a pivotal decision for the spread of Christianity among non-Jewish communities.

The environment in Antioch was multiethnic and diverse, which likely made it a fertile ground for discussions of how Jewish and Gentile believers could live out their faith together.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse illustrates several key aspects.

First, it emphasizes the importance of teaching as a follow-up to evangelism, showing that the early church placed significant focus on the doctrinal and spiritual growth of its members.

Second, the phrase "the word of the Lord" is used to denote the Gospel message, indicating a divine authority behind what Paul and Barnabas were teaching.

Lastly, the involvement of "many others" suggests a communal approach to ministry, hinting at the collective nature of the church's witness and the decentralized leadership in the early Christian movement.

Practical Applications

Practically, Acts 15:35 can serve as a model for the modern church.

It highlights the necessity of continuous Christian education and the development of believers to mature in their faith.

It also provides an example of servant leadership, where prominent figures such as Paul and Barnabas shared responsibilities with others in the community.

Additionally, the verse demonstrates the value of unity and teamwork in achieving common goals within a spiritual context.

Cross-References

• Acts 15:2 - "When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question."
• Acts 14:26-27 - "And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

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 13:1-2 - "Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul."

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words to analyze include:

• "continued" (ἐπέμενον, epemenon): to remain or stay, indicating an ongoing presence and commitment.
• "teaching" (διδάσκοντες, didaskontes): imparting knowledge, instruction, or doctrine.
• "preaching" (εὐαγγελιζόμενοι, euangelizomenoi): announcing good news, often used for spreading the Gospel.
• "word" (λόγον, logon): referring to the content of what was taught and preached, associated with divine truth or teaching.

These terms reveal the dual function of the apostles' work as both educational and evangelistic, as well as the respected authority of the message being shared.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

At that time, the notion of a religion spreading to different ethnicities and locations was not unheard of.

However, unlike pagan religions that often syncretized local deities and rituals, Christianity was presenting a universal message rooted in the belief in one God and salvation through Jesus Christ.

The teachings of Christianity that Paul and Barnabas spread were distinct in their ethical monotheism and the way they encompassed people of all backgrounds without requiring cultural assimilation to Jewish traditions, setting a departure from other religious practices of the period.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, this verse does not directly broach topics typically associated with science.

However, the practices of teaching and communal living as evidenced in this verse have been studied in various disciplines like anthropology, sociology, and psychology.

Research in these fields might explore the ways in which the sharing of beliefs impacts communal bonds, individual behavior, and societal structures.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentators have provided insights into Acts 15:35.

Matthew Henry notes that the focus on teaching emphasizes the nurturing of the church in sound doctrine.

John Gill remarks on the significance of both public preaching and private conversation in spreading the Gospel.

Modern scholarship often highlights the role of Antioch as a center for missionary activity and the way this verse illustrates the shift towards a Gentile Christian identity that is inclusive yet retains the foundational teachings of the Jewish tradition.