Acts 15:4

4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and 1the apostles and the elders, and they 2reported all that God had done with them.

Acts 15:4 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 15:4

And when they were come to Jerusalem
Paul and Barnabas, and the rest that came from Antioch with them:

they were received of the church;
that is, that was at Jerusalem, in a very kind and respectful manner; they were received into their houses, and accommodated with everything convenient for them:

and of the apostles;
particularly James, and Cephas, and John, who gave to Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, in token of their approbation of them, affection for them, and agreement with them:

and elders:
the other ministers of the Gospel who preached in that place:

and they declared all things that God had done with them:
just as they did to the church at Antioch, when they returned from their travels, (See Gill on Acts 14:27), the Arabic version here adds, as there, "and that God had opened to the Gentiles the door of faith."

Acts 15:4 In-Context

2 And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
3 Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.
4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses."
6 The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Acts 11:30; Acts 15:6, 22, 23; Acts 16:4
  • 2. Acts 14:27; Acts 15:12
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