Acts 15:34 - Printer Friendly

A footnote in the English Standard Version gives this: "Some manuscripts insert verse 34: 'But it seemed good to Silas to remain there." The King James Version includes the verse; it reads, "Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still." Judas Barsabbas and Silas traveled from Jerusalem to deliver a letter to Syrian Antioch. Acts 15:33 says, "they" returned to Jerusalem. But "after some days" (Acts 15:36), Silas leaves with Paul to take the letter to the churches in Syria and up into Galatia (Acts 15:41—16:1). It's likely Judas and Silas had traveled with assistants who accompany Judas back to Jerusalem and Silas stays. However, the words of this verse are not found in the oldest, more accurate copies of Bible manuscripts. Most likely, a scribe added a footnote for clarity, and it was accidentally incorporated into the text itself.

Such additions do not affect the inerrancy of the Bible. Only the original manuscripts are inspired by the Holy Spirit. Copies do contain some additions and occasional spelling errors. None of these alterations affect the story of the Bible or the theology expressed through the text. The Bible is sufficient for faith and service. There are deviant scriptures in the world—those deliberately altered for theological bias, such as the New World Translation—but we are free to choose from the many different translations of the Christian Bible.

In fact, it's a good idea to compare two or more translations when a passage is particularly confusing. There's a reason this ministry, for example, offers multiple translations as part of our contextual approach to Scripture.

Acts 15:30–35 depicts the delivery of a resolution about Gentiles in the church. Jewish Christians from Judea had come to Syrian Antioch and insisted Gentile believers must first convert to Judaism. The Antiochenes took their objections to the leadership in Jerusalem. The church in Jerusalem sided with the Antiochenes, but required they make cultural concessions so Jews felt free to worship and live with them in unity (Acts 15:1–29). Now, the church in Antioch rejoices. Not only are they officially free from the Mosaic law, they are warmly unified with the apostles and the first church in Jerusalem.

Paul and Barnabas are in Syrian Antioch, home from their first missionary journey. Legalistic Christians from Jerusalem arrive and insist Gentiles must convert to Judaism. When negotiations fail, a delegation travels to Jerusalem to request clarification from Jesus' closest students. The leadership in Jerusalem agree with Paul and Barnabas. They write a letter that Gentiles should only make concessions, mostly dietary, which will ensure unity with the Jews in their congregation. After delivering the letter to Antioch, Paul takes Silas and Barnabas takes John Mark to share the letter to other churches they have planted.

Acts chapter 15 resembles Acts 11:1–18, where Peter testified before the leadership of the church in Jerusalem. His subject was how the Holy Spirit had fallen on uncircumcised and unbaptized Gentiles. Here Paul and Barnabas also testify that Gentiles are coming to faith in Jesus without being circumcised. The issue the leadership must decide is the extent Gentiles must be responsible to follow the Mosaic law. Their decision is that the Law is in no way required to be saved, but Gentiles should graciously make concessions so their Jewish brothers and sisters feel free to live in community. This forms a partial background to the rest of Paul's missionary journeys as explained in Acts.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.