²²Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders . . . “. . . if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

Continuing on with the letter from the Jerusalem Council to the new Galatian churches, we note, fifthly, the humble tone of the letter: “it seemed good to us . . .” This was not an authoritative encyclical, but a sharing of their judgment of what would be good advice and counsel to Gentiles, who were just beginning to discover the implications of their new faith.

Sixth, there was unanimity among the leaders in Jerusalem, “having become of one mind.” They were not a group who superficially agreed to what was said while differing in their interpretation. No, they agreed wholeheartedly with the sense of the letter.

Seventh, the Jerusalem leaders disassociated themselves from those who were causing the opposition to Paul and Barnabas’ teaching. Paul wrote to them in Galatians 2:12 about “the coming of certain men from James,” but we understand that to mean that the men passed themselves off as having James’ authority. But this letter makes it clear that no one on the council of leaders gave them any instructions to oppose Paul and Barnabas. What a rebuke this was to those Judaizers, that James was such a prominent voice behind this letter.

Eighth, there is a keen awareness of the spiritual nature of this letter: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.” Though the text doesn’t explicitly show them praying and asking for the Spirit’s leading, they were clearly in tune with God in the decision-making matter.

Ninth, the Jerusalem leaders were concerned about the Gentiles who were new to the faith. They needed guidance, rudimentary as it might be. The letter conveys a tone of concern and not authority. Christians need guidelines for living out our faith. In this case, the Gentiles came to faith through preaching in the synagogues, and now they are part of congregations that also include new Jewish believers. So the counsel to the Gentiles was to avoid things that are especially repulsive to Jewish sensibilities. This would benefit them by reducing unnecessary points of friction with the Jewish believers.

Tenth, if the Gentile believers followed this advice, they would “do well.” In other words, “You are free to do as you like, but you will save yourself a lot of headaches if you follow our advice.”

What a gracious letter, not hard-handed at all. Yet, what a firm and uncompromising way of dealing with the Judaizers; it is a stinging rebuke by its loud, clear silence about circumcision.

Lord, help me be gracious and encouraging, even while rebuking false teaching.