New Testament: Acts 15.32–33

To read the Bible in a year, read Acts 15.22–41 on July 9, In the year of our Lord Christ 2022

By Don Ruhl 

I have known of preachers who think it is their duty to beat up the brethren verbally every time they stand in front of a congregation. Do we ever need to rebuke? Yes, of course we do, otherwise, we are not doing our job. Do we ever need to expose error and perhaps the one promoting it? Same answer as before. However, some people think that they are not faithful to the Lord unless they have gotten the brotherhood to hate them. 

However, notice the spirit of some New Testament prophets and preachers: 

Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.

– Acts 15.32–33 

Do you see the atmosphere that they created in the church? Their goal was to exhort and strengthen, which might include rebuking, and they created such a harmonious feeling that the brethren wanted those preachers to send greetings to another set of preachers, the apostles.  

Questions: 

• How do you treat the brethren when you meet with them? 
• Can you name the apostles? 

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