Jul. 24, 25
Acts 15
Act 15:1 Some men came
down from Judea and taught the brothers, "Unless you are
circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved."
Act 15:2 Therefore when
Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they
appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to
Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
Act 15:3 They, being
sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and
Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great
joy to all the brothers.
Act 15:4 When they had
come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the
apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had
done with them.
Act 15:5 But some of
the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is
necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of
Moses."
Act 15:6 The apostles
and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
Act 15:7 When there had
been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, "Brothers,
you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by
my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and
believe.
Act 15:8 God, who knows
the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just
like he did to us.
Act 15:9 He made no
distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10 Now therefore
why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the
disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Act 15:11 But we
believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just
as they are."
Act 15:12 All the
multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul
reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations
through them.
Act 15:13 After they
were silent, James answered, "Brothers, listen to me.
Act 15:14 Simeon has
reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a
people for his name.
Act 15:15 This agrees
with the words of the prophets. As it is written,
Act 15:16 'After these
things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David,
which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,
Act 15:17 That the rest
of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my
name, Says the Lord, who does all these things.
Act 15:18 All his works
are known to God from eternity.'
Act 15:19 "Therefore
my judgment is that we don't trouble those from among the Gentiles
who turn to God,
Act 15:20 but that we
write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from
sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.
Act 15:21 For Moses
from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being
read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
Act 15:22 Then it
seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly,
to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with
Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among
the brothers.
Act 15:23 They wrote
these things by their hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the
brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria,
and Cilicia: greetings.
Act 15:24 Because we
have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with
words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and
keep the law,' to whom we gave no commandment;
Act 15:25 it seemed
good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send
them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Act 15:26 men who have
risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Act 15:27 We have sent
therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same
things by word of mouth.
Act 15:28 For it seemed
good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you
than these necessary things:
Act 15:29 that you
abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things
strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep
yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell."
Act 15:30 So, when they
were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude
together, they delivered the letter.
Act 15:31 When they had
read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.
Act 15:32 Judas and
Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with
many words, and strengthened them.
Act 15:33 After they
had spent some time there, they were sent back with greetings from
the brothers to the apostles.
Act 15:34 But it seemed
good to Silas to stay there.
Act 15:35 But Paul and
Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the
Lord, with many others also.
Act 15:36 After some
days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's return now and visit our
brothers in every city in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord,
to see how they are doing."
Act 15:37 Barnabas
planned to take John, who was called Mark, with them also.
Act 15:38 But Paul
didn't think that it was a good idea to take with them someone who
had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia, and didn't go with them to do
the work.
Act 15:39 Then the
contention grew so sharp that they separated from each other.
Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away to Cyprus,
Act 15:40 but Paul
chose Silas, and went out, being commended by the brothers to the
grace of God.
Act 15:41 He went
through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.