I N D E X
a state of affairs was not ideal and could not last.  It was, as the decrees put
it, a question of imposing `no greater burden than these necessary things' --
much in the same way as the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 enjoined abstinence
`because of the present distress' (1 Cor. 7:26).
The assembled church, together with the apostles and elders, agree with
one accord to the appeals of Peter and James, and their decision is recorded in
a letter sent by the hands of Barnabas, Paul, Silas and Judas.  This letter is
of intense interest, not only on account of its teaching, but also because it is
one of the earliest church letters in existence.  Let us take it out of its
setting for the moment and look at it as a letter, complete in itself:
`The apostles and the elders and the brethren, to the brethren which are
of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, Greeting.
`Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have
troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be
circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
`it seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen
men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded
their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We have sent therefore
Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
`For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no
greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats
offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from
fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well.  Fare ye
well' (Acts 15:23-29).
Such is the letter itself.  Its interrelation with the context is best
seen by expanding the structure of this section as follows:
Acts 15:22-29
B
15:22-29.
Antioch, Syria
n
It seemed good.
and Cilicia.
o  To apostles, elders and whole church.
p  Send chosen men.
`We gave no such
q  Chief men among the brethren.
commandment'.
r  Greeting.
No such commandment.
n  It Seemed Good.
o
Assembled with one accord.
p  Send chosen men.
q  Men who hazarded their lives.
r  Tell you the same things.
n  It Seemed Good.
o  To the Holy Spirit and to us.
p  Lay no other burden.
q  That ye abstain.
r  Fare ye well.
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