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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_11:27-30
27Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Act_11:27 "prophets" Prophets are mentioned several times in the NT (cf. Act_13:1; Act_15:32; Act_21:10; 1Co_12:28; 1Co_14:1-5; 1Co_14:29-33; Eph_2:20; Eph_4:10). It is not always certain whether their function is primarily foretelling, as here, or forth-telling, as in 1 Corinthians 14 and Act_2:17 (cf. Act_13:6; Act_15:32; 1Co_12:28; 1Co_14:1-5; 1Co_14:29-33; Eph_2:20; Eph_4:10).
In the OT prophets are seen as the spokesmen of God, explaining His revelation; however, NT prophets are not the mediators of God's revelation. This is reserved to NT authors, most of whom were Apostles or those related to an Apostle (Mark, Luke) . The NT gift of prophecy must be limited. Inspired revelation has ceased (cf. Jud_1:3; Jud_1:20).
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Act_11:28 "great famine all over the world. . .Claudius" This geographical phrase refers to the Roman Empire (cf. Act_17:6; Act_17:31; Act_19:27; Act_24:5). Claudius reigned from a.d. 41-54. He followed Caligula and preceded Nero. There were several severe famines during his reign (cf. Suetonius, Life of Caludius Act_18:2). The worst famine for Palestine was sometime between a.d. 44-48, according to Josephus, Antiq. 20.5.2.
Act_11:29 "in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution" This is one of the major strategies of the Gentile churches, to promote fellowship with their sister church in Jerusalem. This would set a pattern in Paul's churches (cf. Act_24:17; Rom_15:2-28; 1Co_16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9; Gal_2:10).
Act_11:30 "sending it. . .to the elders" This is the first mention of church "elders" (cf. Act_14:23; Act_15:2; Act_15:4; Act_15:6; Act_15:22-23; Act_16:4; Act_20:17; Act_21:18). The term "elders" is synonymous with the terms "overseers," "bishops," and "pastors" (cf. Act_20:17; Act_20:28 and Tit_1:5; Tit_1:7). The term elder (presbuteros) has an OT tribal background, while overseer (episkopos) has a Greek city-state governmental background. Apparently this refers to a specific group of leaders in the Jerusalem church (cf. Act_15:2; Act_15:6; Act_15:22-23). The more Jewish portions of the NT, like James and Hebrews, still use the Jewish understanding of older, local leaders, but not necessarily pastors.
▣ "of Barnabas and Saul" There is much discussion as to whether the visit to Jerusalem mentioned in Gal_2:2; Gal_2:10 is referring to this visit or to the Jerusalem Council which is mentioned in Acts 15. We know so little of Paul's early life and ministry.
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