So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation. (Acts 15:30-31)
As the first church council in Jerusalem was dismissed, having settled on a plan to encourage and fortify the Gentile believers through the Roman Empire, Paul, Barnabas, and Judas returned to Antioch. The church there was eagerly awaiting news from the church’s leaders. Remember, there was no Internet, phones, or newspapers in that day. The church had to wait for their representatives to make the over 500-mile trip from Jerusalem back to Antioch in Syria. If the men walked 20 miles per day, it would have taken them about 25 days.
Have you ever waited for a loved one to return home after an extended journey? Do you remember the anticipation and the expectation you felt and then the overwhelming joy when your loved one finally arrived? Acts 15:30-31 describes a similar beautiful moment in the early church. Can you imagine the excitement at that moment? There may have been tension in the crowd since some sided with the Gentiles and others with the Judaizers. Most people likely had their minds made up about how they wanted the council to rule. As they gathered in hushed reverence and listened to the statement from the council, I imagine there were some groans from some and elated sounds of joy from others as the pronouncement was declared.
The word rejoiced in Acts 15:31 comes from the root word charis - meaning grace. The Gentiles were shouting for joy because they had seen the Holy Spirit move upon the hearts of the council members in Jerusalem. They probably felt loved and encouraged to be accepted as a part of the family of faith. People are the same way today. They want to feel welcomed by other Christians even if their backgrounds are not the same.
Practical Application – Do you make people feel welcome to fellowship with you even if they look or talk differently?
Galatians 3:14; Ephesians 3:6