What happened at the Jerusalem council when Barnabas and Paul spoke?
Scripture records that at the Jerusalem council, the multitude kept silence and gave audience as Barnabas and Paul declared the miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles. This evidence got the Jews' attention, and after they held their peace, James answered.
Les explains that Jews required a sign, while Gentiles were ready to believe by hearing. He notes that if Paul and Barnabas could not have rehearsed miraculous signs and miracles in their ministry, the Jews would never have bought it, but since they could, according to verse 11, they were convinced. At the Jerusalem council, all the multitude kept silence and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul as they declared the miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles. That got the Jews' attention. After they held their peace, James answered. Les points out this was a big, important conference settling something crucial, and one might expect Peter to be moderator, yet James answered.
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
More Questions
Why were the Jews at the Jerusalem council convinced by Paul and Barnabas?
If Paul and Barnabas could not have rehearsed miraculous signs and miracles from their ministry, the Jews at the Jerusalem council would never have accepted their report—but since they could, the Jews were convinced.
Why was Peter's defense at the Jerusalem council so critical for Paul?
At the Jerusalem conference in Acts 15:12, Peter came to Paul's rescue and defended him; if Peter had not done so, Paul's gospel would have died right then and there.