They exhorted and confirmed

Acts 15:32

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

In the church of Antioch, one of the first Gentile churches, a problem arose concerning the most important of matters. Must they keep the law of Moses to be saved? There were false brethren who had gone up from Jerusalem to Antioch and had troubled the disciples there, subverting their souls, and bringing confusion. And therefore the disciples there were in a state of confusion, unsure now of salvation and what their new-found faith required. These were young believers, new converts from the Gentile world. When Paul and Barnabas had heard of these things, they made no small matter of it, but at once began disputing with these false brethren. They sought to protect the young flock from subversion of mind and heart. But seeing as the elders of the church were at Jerusalem (the key apostles), Paul and Barnabas went to them to discuss the matter. And these apostles agreed to send letters to Antioch and to send some of the faithful disciples back to Antioch to comfort, strengthen, and confirm the faith of this new church. They specifically chose Judas and Silas to be some of the men who would go to these new believers. Paul and Barnabas would be with them.

Judas and Silas! Is this significant? It is of great note, for these were men who had hazarded their lives for the gospel of Christ. They were faithful men, and they had attributes that should be present in someone tasked with such an assignment that they were tasked with. Their job was to strengthen the disciples in their new faith and to reinforce what they had already been taught by Paul and Barnabas. Here, it is explained to us exactly what they did. They exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. They exhorted and confirmed! Is this not the same thing that we are tasked with as a church? We are to exhort one another. This means we are to encourage by words of edification and instruction. They edified the disciples! They instructed them properly in the ways of the Lord! And they confirmed them. This means they bolstered their faith, they strengthened their understanding, they restated and reiterated the truth of God’s Word. Reiteration is a great key to learning. We must confirm, confirm, and confirm again. The human mind is apt to forget. We are prone to be discouraged along the way and thrown off course. But, oh for a Judas and a Silas! Be a Judas! Not the traitor Judas, but the exhorter Judas! Be a Silas! Silas knew how to edify and exhort and confirm and strengthen. Silas was a trusted companion of the apostle Paul, and a man the churches desired. He was a much sought-after man I am sure. Because through him the church became stronger. Christianity might not be as it is this very day were it not for Judas and Silas. Be a Silas today to someone else, and dear sister, be a woman that does for others what Silas did for the church. No doubt, the Lord will use you.

“Dear Lord, we thank you for the numerous examples in Scripture that we find from those who have blazed the track ahead of us. We walk where they have walked. But let us walk well, not turning to the right hand nor to the left. May the example of this Judas and Silas be estimated highly in our minds, that we may covet the same spirit that they had. Help us to exhort. And help us to confirm the faith of others. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”