What was the understanding when the Twelve gave Paul and Barnabas permission to preach the gospel?
The agreement was that as Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel among Gentiles, they would remember the poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem by taking collections and offerings for them. This was the condition tied to the Twelve’s permission, confirmed by Romans 15 and 1 Corinthians 16.
Les explains that God, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, inspired Paul and Barnabas as they circulated among Gentile churches to take collections and offerings for the poor Jews in Jerusalem. This was the whole idea: when they got permission from the Twelve to go ahead and preach this gospel, they were to remember the poor Jewish believers in Jerusalem. Les points to Romans 15:25, where Paul says he goes to Jerusalem to minister to the saints, the Jewish believers, and notes that Macedonia and Achaia made a contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem. He also directs us to 1 Corinthians 16:1 concerning the collection.