15:30-32
So the letter was delivered, and its contents were very well received. Judas and Silas were prophets, and they “said much to encourage the believers”. One of the frustrating things about the New Testament is that there is very limited information on what the prophets actually did. I.e. Here we are not told how they encouraged the church, and how it differed from preaching or teaching.
15:33-35
Judas and Silas spent some time in Antioch, and then returned to Jerusalem. They were sent off by the believers with blessings, indicating that harmony existed between the Gentile and Jewish believers. Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord. There were many others who did this too. We may sometimes wonder what is the difference between preaching and teaching. Preaching is more a declaration of the word, and is also perhaps aimed more at unbelievers. Some manuscripts have a verse 15:34 saying "But Silas decided to remain there", this was added to explain how Paul managed to take Silas (v40).
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