Acts 15

 

1 And certain men (of the circumcision) who came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Unless you are circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.

2 When Paul and Barnabas therefore had no small disagreement and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

3 And being sent by the church, on their way they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles (to the Lord Jesus): and they caused great joy among all the brethren.

4 And when they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and the apostles and elders, and they declared all the things that God had done with the Gentiles.

5 But there rose up certain (men) from the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, saying, That it was necessary to circumcise the Gentiles, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

 

6 And the apostles and elders (in the church) came together to consider this matter.

 

7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said to them, Men and brethren, you know how that a good while ago God (by the Holy Spirit) made a choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel (of Jesus Christ), and believe.

 

8 And God, who knows the hearts (of the hearers), testified of them, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did to us;

 

9 And (He) put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith (in the Lord Jesus).

10 Now therefore, why do you question God, to put a burden on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to endure?

11 But we believe (and are certain) that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved (and not by performing the works of the law), even as they.

 

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what (signs) wonders, and miracles God worked among the Gentiles by them.

 

13 And after they were silent, James (who was considered to be the head of the church at Jerusalem) answered, saying, Men and brethren, listen to me:

 

14 Simon has declared how (by his mouth) God first visited the Gentiles, to (call and) lay hold of them as a people for (them to bear) His name.

15 And with this do the words of the prophets agree; as it is written,

16 In that day (speaking of after the resurrection of Jesus), I will return (to the heathen), and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will raise up again the ruins thereof, and I will build it up (as in the days of old):

17 So that the rest of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, on whom My name is called, said the Lord, who does all these things.

18 Known to God are all His works from eternity.

19 Therefore, my judgment is that we do not harass those who, from among the Gentiles, have turned to God:

20 But that we write to them that they keep themselves away from the pollution of (meats offered to) idols, and from fornication (with other gods, being intimate with their own works and sensual desires), and from animals strangled, and (not killed) from blood (shed).

 

21 For Moses, from generations of old, has those in every city who preach still him, being read (and heard) in the synagogues every sabbath day.

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, along with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

23 And they wrote letters by their own hand this way: The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

24 Because we have heard that certain (men) who went out from us have troubled you with (disturbing) words, subverting (and unsettling) your souls (with confusion that can overthrow your faith), saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law (to be saved): to whom we gave no such commandment:

 

25 It seemed good to us, being assembled (united together in agreement) with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

 

26 Men who have laid down their lives (facing death daily) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also confirm the same things to you by mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay on you no greater burden than the things that are fitting for you;

29 That you abstain from meat offered to idols, and blood, and from things strangled (without bloodshed), and from fornication (with other gods, being intimate with your own works and sensual desires): from which if you keep yourselves (from), you shall do well. Farewell.

 

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude (of Gentile believers) together, they delivered the letter:

 

31 Which when they read it, they rejoiced, receiving comfort (from it).

 

32 And Judas and Silas, being also prophets themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed the words of Barnabas and Paul.

 

33 And after they had stayed there awhile, they were sent away in peace from the brethren (returning) to the apostles.

34 With the exception that it pleased Silas to stay afterwards.

35 Paul and Barnabas also continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 And some days after, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they are doing.

37 And Barnabas determined to take John, whose surname was Mark, with them.

38 But Paul thought it was not good to take the one with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and did not continue with them in the work (of the ministry).

 

39 And the disagreement was so sharp between them that they departed separate from one another: and so, Barnabas took (John) Mark, and sailed to Cyprus;

 

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, (Silas) being recommended by the brethren according to the grace of God.

 

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches (in Christ and strengthening them by instruction and exhortation to abide in Him).