Acts 15
Controversy About Moses’ Teachings
1 Some men came from Judea and started to teach believers that people can’t be saved unless they are circumcised as Moses’ Teachings require.
2 Paul and Barnabas had a fierce dispute with these men. So Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were sent to Jerusalem to see the apostles and spiritual leaderst about this claim.
3 The church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem. As they were going through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story of how non-Jewish people were turning to God. This story brought great joy to all the believers.4 The church in Jerusalem, the apostles, and the spiritual leaders welcomed Paul and Barnabas when they arrived. Paul and Barnabas reported everything that God had done through them.
5 But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “People who are not Jewish must be circumcised and ordered to follow Moses’ Teachings.”
6 The apostles and spiritual leaders met to consider this statement.7 After a lot of debating, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know what happened some time ago. God chose me so that people who aren’t Jewish could hear the Good News and believe.8 God, who knows everyone’s thoughts, showed that he approved of people who aren’t Jewish by giving them the Holy Spirit as he gave the Holy Spirit to us.9 God doesn’t discriminate between Jewish and non-Jewish people. He has cleansed non-Jewish people through faith as he has cleansed us Jews.10 So why are you testing God? You’re putting a burden on the disciples, a burden neither our ancestors nor we can carry.
11 We certainly believe that the Lord Jesus saves us the same way that he saves them—through his kindness.”t
12 The whole crowd was silent. They listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the miracles and amazing things that God had done through them among non-Jewish people.13 After they finished speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me.14 Simon has explained how God first showed his concern by taking from non-Jewish people those who would honor his name.
15 This agrees with what the prophets said. Scripture says,
16 ‘Afterwards, I will return.I will set up David’s fallen tent again.I will restore its ruined places again.I will set it up again17 so that the survivors and all the people who aren’t Jewishover whom my name is spoken,may search for the Lord, declares the Lord.18 He is the one who will do these things that have always been known!’19 “So I’ve decided that we shouldn’t trouble non-Jewish people who are turning to God.20 Instead, we should write a letter telling them to keep away from things polluted by false gods, from sexual sins, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from eating bloody meat.
21 After all, Moses’ words have been spread to every city for generations. His teachings are read in synagogues on every day of worship.”
22 Then the apostles, the spiritual leaders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to the city of Antioch. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, who were leaders among the believers.
23 They wrote this letter for them to deliver:
From the apostles and the spiritual leaders, your brothers.To their non-Jewish brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.Dear brothers and sisters,24 We have heard that some individuals who came from us have confused you with statements that disturb you. We did not authorize these men to speak.25 So we have come to a unanimous decision that we should choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul.26 Barnabas and Paul have dedicated their lives to our Lord, the one named Jesus Christ.27 We have sent Judas and Silas to report to you on our decision.28 The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to place any additional burdens on you. Do only what is necessary
29 by keeping away from food sacrificed to false gods, from eating bloody meat, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual sins. If you avoid these things, you will be doing what’s right.
Farewell!30 So the men were sent on their way and arrived in the city of Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter.31 When the people read the letter, they were pleased with the encouragement it brought them.
32 Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, spoke a long time to encourage and strengthen the believers.
33 After Judas and Silas had stayed in Antioch for some time, the congregation sent them back to Jerusalem with friendly greetings to those who had sent them.t
35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught people about the Lord’s word and spread the Good News.
Paul and Barnabas Disagree
36 After a while Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back to every city where we spread the Lord’s word. We’ll visit the believers to see how they’re doing.”37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along.38 However, Paul didn’t think it was right to take a person like him along. John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to work.39 Paul and Barnabas disagreed so sharply that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to the island of Cyprus.
40 Paul chose Silas and left after the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s care.t
41 Paul went through the provinces of Syria and Cilicia and strengthened the churches.
Acts 15
1 And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.2 And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.3 They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that God had done with them.5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.6 And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.7 And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.8 And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;9 and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.10 Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.12 And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:14 Symeon hath rehearsed how first God visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
18 Saith the Lord, who maketh these things known from of old.
19 Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to God;20 but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.21 For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:23 and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting:24 Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment;25 it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26 men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth.28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:29 that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.30 So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle.31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.33 And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.34 But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.35 But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.36 And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare.37 And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark.38 But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.39 And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus;40 but Paul choose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.