Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
The Antioch where Paul and Barnabas remained was Antioch in Syria, the place from which they had been sent out on their mission. The church there was large and growing, a center of missionary activity and one of the most important groups of believers, made up of many classes of people from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. The verse shows Paul and Barnabas continuing in Antioch teaching and preaching the Lord's word alongside many others, joining ministers and church members in an earnest effort to win people to Christ. While there they gathered the believers to report how God had opened the way for the Gentiles to believe.
This ministry took place amid a dispute over whether Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the ceremonial law. Years before Paul later reported his work to the brethren, he had already told the apostolic council about his conversion and God's work among the Gentiles, the Spirit confirmed his words, and the council laid aside prejudice, agreed with his position, and sent a message to the churches. In that dispute the apostles and elders acted as counselors, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to guide the decision rather than imposing it by force, and the Gentile believers received the decision with joy and encouragement.
The council's decision about Gentile converts and the ceremonial law remained valid, so later advice given to Paul that conflicted with it was not prompted by the Holy Spirit. The verse belongs to the New Testament teaching on simple church organization and order, which God ordained for the unity and perfection of the church.
The Antioch where Paul and Barnabas remained was Antioch in Syria, the place from which they had been sent out on their mission. The church there was large and growing, a center of missionary activity and one of the most important groups of believers, made up of many classes of people from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. The verse shows Paul and Barnabas continuing in Antioch teaching and preaching the Lord's word alongside many others, joining ministers and church members in an earnest effort to win people to Christ. While there they gathered the believers to report how God had opened the way for the Gentiles to believe.
This ministry took place amid a dispute over whether Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the ceremonial law. Years before Paul later reported his work to the brethren, he had already told the apostolic council about his conversion and God's work among the Gentiles, the Spirit confirmed his words, and the council laid aside prejudice, agreed with his position, and sent a message to the churches. In that dispute the apostles and elders acted as counselors, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to guide the decision rather than imposing it by force, and the Gentile believers received the decision with joy and encouragement.
The council's decision about Gentile converts and the ceremonial law remained valid, so later advice given to Paul that conflicted with it was not prompted by the Holy Spirit. The verse belongs to the New Testament teaching on simple church organization and order, which God ordained for the unity and perfection of the church.