Acts 15
1 But certain persons came down from Judea, and began to teach the Lord’s followers that, unless they were circumcised, in accordance with the custom required by Moses, they could not be saved.
AND certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these people, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the apostles and church elders about the matter under discussion.
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 The church, therefore, sent them on their journey, and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the story of the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the followers.
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the elders, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 Some of the Pharisees’ party, however, who had become believers in Christ, came forward and declared that they were bound to circumcise converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 After much discussion, Peter rose and said: “You, my friends, know well that long ago God singled me out – that through my lips the Gentiles should hear the message of the good news, and become believers in Christ.
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Why, then, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors nor we were able to bear?
Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12 Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown among the Gentiles through them.
Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13 After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from among them a people to bear his name.
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say –
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 ‘After this I will return; and I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen – its ruins I will rebuild, and will set it up once more;
After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 that so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord – even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed,
That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. (aiōn g165)
19 In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.
But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For in every town, for generations past, there have been those who preach Moses, read as he is in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22 It was then decided by the apostles and the elders, with the assent of the whole church, to choose some of their number, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. Those chosen were Judas (called Barsabas) and Silas, who were leaders among the community.
Then pleased it the apostles and elders, 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 They were bearers of the following letter – ‘The apostles, and the followers who are the church elders, send their greetings to the followers of the Lord of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 As we had heard that some of our number had upset you by their assertions, and unsettled your minds – without instructions from us –
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We are accordingly sending Judas and Silas, and they will tell you by word of mouth what we are now writing.
We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary conditions –
For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from impurity. If you guard yourselves against such things, it will be well with you. Farewell.’
That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 So the bearers of this letter were sent on their way, and went down to Antioch. There they called a meeting of all the followers,
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, further encouraged the them by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33 After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the followers, and returned to those who had sent them.
And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul and Barnabas, however, remained in Antioch, where they taught and, with the help of many others, told the good news of the Lord’s message.
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36 Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the Lord’s followers in every town in which we have told the Lord’s message, and see how they are prospering.”
And some days after Paul said unto 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 do.
37 Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 but Paul felt that they ought not to take with them the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to their work.
But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted ways, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the followers to the gracious care of the Lord,
And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches in the faith.
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
