en_tn_condensed/act/16/04.md

General Information:

The word "they" here refers to Paul, Silas (Acts 15:40), and Timothy (Acts 16:3).

for them to obey

"for the church members to obey" or "for the believers to obey"

that had been written by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem

This can be stated in active form. AT: "that the apostles and elders in Jerusalem had written" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)

the churches

Here this stands for the believers in the churches. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy)