Acts 15
1 Some who came down from Judea were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Then there was no small disagreement and debate between Paul and Barnabas and them. It was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some others from among them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this matter.
3 Sent on their way by the church, they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling about the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done through them.
5 But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “They must be circumcised and instructed to keep the Law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and elders gathered to consider this matter.
7 After much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that from the earliest days God chose from among you that the Gentiles should hear the message of the gospel through my mouth and believe.
8 And God, who knows the heart, testified on their behalf by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
9 He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 So now, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”
12 The whole assembly fell silent and listened as Barnabas and Paul told how many signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13 After they had finished speaking, James said, “Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has told how God first took notice of the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name.
15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s tent, which has fallen. I will rebuild its ruins and raise it up again,
17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, and all the nations over whom my name has been called,’ says the Lord, who does these things.
18 They have been known from eternity.’
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those among the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20 Instead, we should write to them to abstain from the defilements of idols, from sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city from ancient generations, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Then the apostles and elders, along with the whole church, decided to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, men who were leaders among the brothers.
23 They sent this letter by them: “The apostles and elders, your brothers, to the brothers among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 We have heard that some who went out from among us have troubled you with their words and unsettled your minds, though we gave them no instructions to do so.
25 So it seemed good to us, having agreed together, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things in person.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no further burden on you beyond these necessary things:
29 abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch. They gathered the assembly and delivered the letter.
31 When they read it, they rejoiced at the encouragement.
32 Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them.
33 After spending some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord, along with many others.
36 Some days later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
37 Barnabas wanted to take along John, called Mark, as well.
38 But Paul thought they should not take along the one who had left them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them in the work.
39 Their disagreement became so sharp that they parted from each other. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus.
40 Paul chose Silas and set out, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
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