Acts 15
15
The Council at Jerusalem
1Then certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2And 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 discuss this question with the apostles and the elders. 3So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the believers.#15.3 Gk brothers 4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and ordered to keep the law of Moses.”
6The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “My brothers,#15.7 Gk Men, brothers you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that I should be the one through whom the Gentiles would hear the message of the good news and become believers. 8And God, who knows the human heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us; 9and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us. 10Now therefore why are you putting God to the test by placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13After they finished speaking, James replied, “My brothers,#15.13 Gk Men, brothers listen to me. 14Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written,
16‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen;
from its ruins I will rebuild it,
and I will set it up,
17so that all other peoples may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called.
Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things
18known from long ago.’#15.18 Other ancient authorities read things. Known to God from of old are all his works.’
19Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled#15.20 Other ancient authorities lack and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. 21For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues.”
The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers
22Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among their members#15.22 Gk from among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers, 23with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the believers#15.23 Gk brothers of Gentile origin in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24Since we have heard that certain persons who have gone out from us, though with no instructions from us, have said things to disturb you and have unsettled your minds,#15.24 Other ancient authorities add saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ 25we have decided unanimously to choose representatives#15.25 Gk men and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to impose on you no further burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled#15.29 Other ancient authorities lack and from what is strangled and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
30So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. When they gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When its members#15.31 Gk When they read it, they rejoiced at the exhortation. 32Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.#15.32 Gk brothers 33After they had been there for some time, they were sent off in peace by the believers#15.33 Gk brothers to those who had sent them. 34#15.34 Other ancient authorities add verse 34, But it seemed good to Silas to remain there 35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and there, with many others, they taught and proclaimed the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas Separate
36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us return and visit the believers#15.36 Gk brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38But Paul decided not to take with them one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work. 39The disagreement became so sharp that they parted company; Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40But Paul chose Silas and set out, the believers#15.40 Gk brothers commending him to the grace of the Lord. 41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
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Acts 15: NRSV
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Acts 15
15
The Council in Jerusalem
1#Ac 15:5; 15:24Some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised in the tradition of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2#Ac 15:22–23; 15:4; 15:6–7Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others among them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 3#Ac 14:27; 21:5So being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers. 4#Ac 14:27; 15:12When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared what God had done through them.
5#Ac 15:1Then some believers of the sect of the Pharisees rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.”
6#Ac 15:25The apostles and elders assembled to consider this matter. 7#Ac 15:2; 10:20After much disputing, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God decided among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8#Ac 1:24; 2:4God, who knows the heart, approved of them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, 9#Ac 10:28; 10:34and made no distinction between them and us, and purified their hearts by faith. 10#Mt 23:4; Gal 5:1Now then, why test God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11#Ro 3:24; 2Co 13:14But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
12#Ac 14:27; 15:4The entire assembly remained silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13#Ac 12:17After they had become silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me. 14#Isa 43:21; 2Pe 1:1Simon has declared how God first visited the Gentiles to take from among them a people for His name. 15With this the words of the prophets agree. As it is written:
16#Am 9:11–12 ‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will set it up;#Am 9:11; Jer 12:15.
17#Isa 43:7 that the rest of men may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,#Am 9:12; Dt 28:10; Isa 63:19; Jer 14:9; Da 9:19.
says the Lord who does all these things.’#Am 9:11–12.
18Known to God are all His works since the beginning of the world.
19#Ac 15:28“Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20#Lev 3:17; Ac 15:29; Ge 9:4but that we write to them to abstain from food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled animals, and from blood. 21#Ac 13:15; 13:27For Moses has had in every city since early generations those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
The Reply of the Council
22#Ac 15:27; 15:32; 15:40Then it pleased the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers. 23#Ac 23:26; Jas 1:1They wrote this letter by their hand:
The apostles and the elders and the brothers,
To the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24#Ac 15:1; Gal 1:7Since we have heard that some of us, whom we did not commission, have gone out and have troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law,” 25#Ac 1:14; 2Pe 3:15it seemed good to us, being assembled in unity, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26#Ac 14:19; 9:23–25men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27#Ac 15:22Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will also speak to you, saying the same things. 28#Jn 16:13; Ac 5:32For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to put on you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29#Ac 15:20; 21:25; Rev 2:14Abstain from food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled animals, and from blood. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.
30So when they were dismissed, they went down to Antioch. And when they had assembled the congregation, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced over the exhortation. 32#Ac 11:23; 13:1Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves, exhorted the brothers with many words and strengthened them. 33#1Co 16:11; Ac 16:36After they had remained there for a time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to the apostles. 34But it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35#Ac 13:1And Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Paul and Barnabas Separate
36#Ac 13:4; 13:13–14After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit our brothers in every city where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37#Ac 12:12Barnabas determined to take with them John, who was called Mark. 38#Ac 13:13But Paul thought it was not good to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39#Ac 4:36Then there arose a sharp contention, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, 40#Ac 14:26; 15:22but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God. 41#Ac 15:23; 15:32And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
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