Albert Barnes Commentary Acts 15:28

"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:" — Acts 15:28 (ASV)

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost. This is a strong and undoubted claim to inspiration. It was with special reference to the organization of the church that the Holy Spirit had been promised to them by the Lord Jesus (Matthew 18:18–20; John 14:26).

No greater burthen. This means to impose no greater restraints and to enjoin no other observances. (See Barnes on Acts 15:10).

Than these necessary things. These things were necessary for the following reasons:

1. In order to preserve the peace of the church.
2. To conciliate the minds of the Jewish converts (Acts 15:21).
3. They were necessary in their circumstances, particularly because the crime specified—licentiousness—was one to which all early converts were particularly exposed. (See Barnes on Acts 15:20).