For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;–Acts 15:28.
When the brethren in Jerusalem wrote this inspired letter to the church in Antioch they declared this strong Biblical principle that the testimony of God plainly sets forth, "For it seemed good (pleasing) to the Holy Ghost, and to us."
What is pleasing to God in creation, providence and salvation is also most pleasing to His covenant people. We say with David, "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased" (Psalm 115:3). Or with Eli, "It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good (1Sam. 3:18).
It was most pleasing to God to sovereignly and unconditionally choose His people in Christ before the foundation of the world (1Sam. 12:22; Eph. 1:3-6). We thank our Lord that He purposed to choose us in electing love or we never would have chosen Him or believed Him. (John 16:15; Eph. 1:19; 2Thes.2:13).
It was well pleasing to our Lord to bruise the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins (Isa. 53:10; Acts 2:23). It is well pleasing to every believer to see our sins fully atoned for and eternally put away in Christ crucified ( Isa. 44: 22-23;1Cor. 1:18; 2:2; Heb. 9:26; 1John 4:10).
It is most pleasing to our gracious Lord that in the Lord Jesus Christ should all the fullness of the Godhead dwell bodily and to place all spiritual blessings in Him (John 1:14: Eph. 1:3; Col. 1:19; 2:9; 1John 5:11-12). It is also well pleasing to every believer to rejoice, receive by faith and rest in complete salvation in Jesus Christ (1Cor. 1:30; Phil. 3:7-9; Col. 2:10).
It is most pleasing to our sovereign Lord that through the preaching of the gospel of Christ to quicken, enlighten and call His people to Himself, from darkness to light and from bondage to liberty (1Cor. 1:21; 1Peter. 1:23; James 1:18; Col. 1:13). It certainly is well pleasing to every believer to hear about His Lord through the declaration of the gospel and to be given faith to embrace Him (Rom. 10:13-17; Eph. 2:8-9), light to reveal Him (2Cor. 4:6) and liberty to worship Him in Spirit and truth (John 4:24).