After the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15, the apostles and elders did something very wise. They did not simply send a letter announcing their decision regarding the Gentile believers. They sent trusted brothers as well: Judas Barsabbas and Silas, “leaders among the brethren,” men capable of encouraging and strengthening the Church.
This was more than administration. The early Church understood that difficult moments require more than documents, policies, or explanations. Communities need living witnesses, brothers and sisters who come not merely carrying decisions, but carrying peace, wisdom, encouragement, and the presence of the wider Church itself.
The issue facing the early Christians was serious. Tension existed between Jewish and Gentile believers, and the unity of the Church could easily have fractured. The Church sent men whose lives already spoke with credibility. They encouraged the brothers with many words. Their presence reassured the believers that they were not abandoned, isolated, or forgotten.
We have seen something similar within People of Hope during difficult seasons in our own history. At times when questions, tensions, or struggles weighed heavily upon us, leading brothers came to be with us. Their coming was not merely organizational oversight. It was encouragement. They listened, prayed, spoke honestly, and helped steady hearts that were unsettled. Even now, one of the quiet ways the Lord continues to encourage the People of Hope, is by sending faithful brothers and sisters. Recently our new outside coordinator and senior woman leader, Ed Gross and Anne Bielejeski, visited us and did just that.
There is something deeply Christian in this. God often strengthens His people through the presence of others outside of our daily life. The Lord could certainly act directly, yet so often He chooses to work through His Body. Sometimes the greatest gift is simply knowing others are willing to walk beside us, to carry burdens with us, and to remind us we remain part of something larger than ourselves.
The wisdom of Acts remains wisdom for the Church today. Communities are not meant to stand alone. When difficulties arise, isolation becomes dangerous. Communion, humility, and mutual support are essential. The Spirit not only guides individuals; He binds believers together in love, encouragement, and shared faithfulness.
- See previous month’s article, The Woman at the Well: Photini, Martyr for the Gospel, and a new book excerpt, Seven Eagles: A Lenten Easter Story for Children and Families, by Brian J. Murray
Top image credit: Paul addresses the apostles, elders, and community at Jerusalem – Acts 15. Illustration from GoodSalt.com. Used with permission.
Brian Murray is a coordinator in the People of Hope, in Newark, New Jersey, USA.