THE BOOK OF ACTS

 

Acts Chapter 15

1 ¶ Now certain men who came down from Judea started teaching the brethren that, Unless you are circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved.

2 And when Paul and Barnabas totally disagreed and sharply disputed with them, they determined that Paul, Barnabas and some other believers, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

3 So being sent on their way by the church, they caused great rejoicing among all the brethren, as they passed through Phenice and Samaria, telling of the conversion of the Gentiles.

4 And when they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they told them all that God had done through them.

5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, stood up and said, The Gentiles must be circumcised, and commanded to keep the law of Moses.

6 ¶ So the apostles and elders met to consider this question.

7 And after there had been much discussion, Peter got up, and said to them, Men and brethren, you know how that some time ago God made a decision among us, that the Gentiles should hear the message of the gospel through my mouth, and believe.

8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness that He accepted them, by giving the Holy Ghost to them, just as he did to us;

9 And made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Therefore why do you now go against God, by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear?

11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, just as they.

12 Then the entire assembly kept silent, and listened as Barnabas and Paul, told about all the miracles and wonders that God had done among the Gentiles through them.

13 And after they finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, Men and brethren, listen to me:

14 Simon has explained how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people to bear his name.

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

16 After this I will return, and will rebuild the house of David, which has fallen; and I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it:

17 That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.

18 God has known all that he will do from the beginning of the world.

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

20 But that we write to them, that they abstain from foods defiled by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

21 For since ancient times Moses has had those who preach him in every city, and is read in the synagogues on every sabbath day.

22 ¶ Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren:

23 And they sent letters with them saying this; The apostles and elders as brethren send greeting to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

24 Since we have heard, that some of our number, without being told to do so by us, have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, by saying, You must be circumcised, and keep the law:

25 It seemed good to us, having met and come to agreement, to select men to send to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,

26 Men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things by word of mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these essential things;

29 That you abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from sexual immorality: if you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.

30 So after they were sent on their way, they went to Antioch: and when they had gathered the congregation together, they delivered the epistle:

31 And having read it, they were delighted at the encouragement.

32 Both Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, encouraged the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.

33 And after they had remained there for a time, the brothers let them return to the apostles in peace.

34 Nevertheless Silas thought it best to remain there.

35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.

36 ¶ Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.

37 But Barnabas wanted to take John, who is called Mark, along with them.

38 However Paul did not think it best to take him with them, since he had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not continued with them in the work.

39 And there was such a sharp disagreement between them, that they separated from each other: and Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of God.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.