Acts-15
v1
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
v2
And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
v3
So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
v4
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
v5
But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
v6
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
v7
And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
v8
And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,
v9
and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
v10
Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
v11
But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
v12
And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
v13
After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.
v14
Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
v15
And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
v16
“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it,
v17
that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18known from of old.‘
v19
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,
v20
but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
v21
For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
v22
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
v23
with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings.
v24
Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,
v25
it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
v26
men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
v27
We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.
v28
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
v29
that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
v30
So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.
v31
And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
v32
And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.
v33
And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
v35
But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.Paul and Barnabas Separate
v36
And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”
v37
Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.
v38
But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
v39
And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus,
v40
but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
v41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.