Definition: And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, [Ye] men [and] brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Acts 13:15. It's a really important passage about how early Christians were called to share their faith and encourage others. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: When the Jewish leaders of the synagogue – people who were part of that religious group – saw the Christians were preaching and sharing their beliefs, they asked them to speak about it. Essentially, they wanted a message from the Christians to guide the community. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Acts 13:15” : This is the specific verse we're focusing on. “And after the reading of the law and the prophets…” : This means they were listening to a sermon or teaching that included the Old Testament (the books that tell about God’s history, laws, and teachings). They had already heard about these important parts of Jewish tradition. “…the rulers of the synagogue said…” : This identifies the people who are asking for a message. They were the leaders of the group – the people who were observing the sermon. “[Ye] men [and] brethren” : They’re referring to both men and women (as well as anyone else in the synagogue). “Brother” and “sister” were important terms of respect during that time. “…if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” : This is the key part. If they heard a message from the Christians, they asked them to tell the congregation – to speak up and share their beliefs and encouragement. In short: The leaders of the synagogue were asking the Christians to actively preach and encourage the community by sharing their faith. Why is this important? This verse is significant because it shows that early Christians were not just passively listening to a sermon. They were actively involved in sharing their beliefs, which was a crucial step in establishing the Christian church. It’s a foundational moment in understanding how the first believers began their mission. --- Do you want me to explain anything else about this verse? For example: What does "exhortation" mean? How did this early practice influence the spread of Christianity?