Acts 15:12-18 12And the whole group fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they reported what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13And after they finished speaking, James replied, saying, “Men Brothers, listen to me. 14Simeon has described how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15And the words of the prophets agree with this, just as it is written, 16‘After these things, I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; and its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, 17so that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18known from of old.’
Peter’s words hit home as the gathered council quieted the debate and listened to the account of Barnabas and Saul. Luke may have put Barnabas’ name first because he had spent time in Jerusalem and people knew him well. The proof of God’s work among the Gentiles was in the signs and wonders they experienced. Luke has used these two words before to recount the power of God at work through the name of Jesus. These miracles validated or proved the validity and truth of the message of the gospel. God was given the glory for the miracles, making it even more difficult to dispute the power of grace among the Gentiles. Having two witnesses also confirmed the truth of the claim, and these witnesses were well-known and respected in Antioch and other places. The account of Barnabas and Paul silenced the critics but also left the council with the question of what to do about the Gentiles going forward.
To answer that question, James stood up and gave his own speech. This James was the half-brother of Jesus, the naturally born son of Joseph and Mary. James represented the elders since he was not one of the apostles but had significant authority as a leader (12:17). Paul wrote in Galatians 2:9 about the position of James in the Jerusalem church. James pointed out the clear connection between Peter’s experience and the prophecy mostly from Amos 9:11–12, with possible allusions from Jeremiah 12:15 and Isaiah 45:21. What happened to Barnabas and Paul on their trip was already predicted and part of God’s plan. The key idea from this quote is that the Gentiles who are called by the name of the Lord will be included. The Lord here could be interpreted as the Lord Jesus Christ. The Gentiles were taking on a new identity as “Christians,” people of the Messiah. How extensively this name was being used by this point is unknown, especially since it originated in Antioch a few years before. But the idea of identity was significant for all believers. The Greek word for Gentiles (ethnē) means “nations,” and refers to non-Jews. James’ quote indicates that the gospel is for the whole world, which was God’s plan all along. The restoration of tent of David refers to the coming Messiah. The remnant of mankind could be taken as the “ends of the earth” of 1:8. God’s plan was big, and the council should not stand in the way.