When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The emphasis on "all that God had done with them" is a powerful reminder that their ministry wasn't just their accomplishment, but a shared work where God was the active partner. It subtly corrects any tendency to see their success as solely their own effort, highlighting God's direct involvement alongside them.
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul and Barnabas, along with their companions, arrive in Jerusalem to present a crucial issue concerning Gentile believers to the church leaders. They are warmly welcomed by the entire community, including the apostles and elders, and then share the incredible story of how God has powerfully worked through them to bring many non-Jews into the faith. This narrative serves as the backdrop for the upcoming debate about whether these new Gentile Christians should be circumcised.
Imagine traveling hundreds of miles, carrying a heavy question, and wondering how you'll be received. Paul and Barnabas likely felt that tension.
When Paul and Barnabas arrived in Jerusalem, the text says they "were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders." This wasn't just a polite nod; the original word implies a hearty, formal acceptance. They were received as delegates from the Antioch church, bringing an important issue to the Jerusalem leadership.
This shows us a healthy church culture: delegates are formally received, and a respectful hearing is given, even before discussing difficult matters. The whole church was involved in the initial welcome, highlighting that the work of God belongs to everyone.
What happens when God breaks through in powerful ways? It's not just a private joy – it's a story meant to be shared!
After being welcomed, Paul and Barnabas 'declared all that God had done with them.' This wasn't just a factual report of their travels; it was a testimony to God's active work.
They recounted the signs, wonders, and the spiritual transformation seen in the Gentile converts. This sharing served two key purposes:
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This verse captures a pivotal moment where the early church grappled with its identity and mission. The report from Paul and Barnabas wasn't just a historical account; it was powerful testimony that shaped the church's understanding of God's inclusive plan.
c. AD 34
Pentecost and the Birth of the Church
The Holy Spirit descends on Jesus' followers in Jerusalem, empowering them to spread the gospel. This marks the beginning of the early Christian church.
c. AD 35-45
Paul's Early Ministry and Conversion of Gentiles
Saul of Tarsus is converted and becomes the Apostle Paul. He embarks on missionary journeys, notably bringing the gospel to Gentiles, which would later cause controversy.
c. AD 47-49
Paul and Barnabas' First Missionary Journey
Paul and Barnabas travel through Asia Minor, establishing churches and witnessing many Gentiles believe. They encounter opposition but see significant fruit from their ministry.
c. AD 49
Dispute Over Gentile Circumcision
A major theological crisis erupts as some Jewish Christians insist that Gentile converts must be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses.
c. AD 49— this verse
Paul and Barnabas Travel to Jerusalem
Delegates, including Paul and Barnabas, are sent from Antioch to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles and elders about the circumcision issue.
c. AD 49
The Jerusalem Council Convenes
The apostles and elders meet to discuss the issue, hearing testimony from Paul and Barnabas about God's work among the Gentiles, before issuing their decision.
This passage immediately precedes the narrative in Acts 15, showing how Paul and Barnabas, upon returning to Antioch, first recounted 'all that God had done with them' to the church there. It highlights the consistent practice of sharing God's work before the Jerusalem council.
Galatians 2:2Paul mentions this same journey to Jerusalem, indicating he went 'by revelation' and conferred with the leaders 'privately.' This provides a parallel perspective, emphasizing the significance and the 'private' consultation that likely preceded the public declaration described in Acts 15:4.
Acts 11:18After Peter's miraculous encounter with Cornelius, the Jewish believers in Jerusalem rejoiced and acknowledged that 'God had granted to the Gentiles also repentance that leads to life.' This earlier event foreshadows the broader acceptance of Gentiles, which is central to the report Paul and Barnabas give in Acts 15:4.
1 Corinthians 1:4-9Paul thanks God for the Corinthians, 'because in every way you have been enriched in him...by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son.' This echoes the theme of Acts 15:4, where Paul and Barnabas are reporting on how God actively worked among the Gentiles, enriching them with His gifts and calling.
ellicottActs 15:4: "And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them."
(4) They were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders. —The words imply a general gathering of the Church, members of different synagogues coining together, with the elders who presided over them. The position of the Apostles, though in some degree analogous in their relation to the elders to the later offic…
cambridgeActs 15:4: "And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them."
4 . they were received of the church ] “The church” is perhaps named first because there would on such a visit be an assembly of the whole Christian body to hear the story of the missionary labours of Paul and Barnabas before the question about which they had specially been sent from Antioch came to be discussed. The accou…
The emphasis on "all that God had done with them" is a powerful reminder that their ministry wasn't just their accomplishment, but a shared work where God was the active partner. It subtly corrects any tendency to see their success as solely their own effort, highlighting God's direct involvement alongside them.
Paul and Barnabas, along with their companions, arrive in Jerusalem to present a crucial issue concerning Gentile believers to the church leaders. They are warmly welcomed by the entire community, including the apostles and elders, and then share the incredible story of how God has powerfully worked through them to bring many non-Jews into the faith. This narrative serves as the backdrop for the upcoming debate about whether these new Gentile Christians should be circumcised.
Paul and Barnabas, along with their companions, arrive in Jerusalem to present a crucial issue concerning Gentile believers to the church leaders. They are warmly welcomed by the entire community, including the apostles and elders, and then share the incredible story of how God has powerfully worked through them to bring many non-Jews into the faith. This narrative serves as the backdrop for the upcoming debate about whether these new Gentile Christians should be circumcised.
"When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them." — The emphasis on "all that God had done with them" is a powerful reminder that their ministry wasn't just their accomplishment, but a shared work where God was the active partner. It subtly correc…
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Last reviewed October 2026