Acts 15
1 But certain persons came down from Judea, and began to teach the Brethren that, unless they were circumcised, in accordance with the custom enjoined by Moses, they could not be saved.
Then some men arrived from Judea who started teaching the believers, “Unless you're circumcised according to the rules set down by Moses, you can't be saved.”
2 This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these men, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the Apostles and Officers of the Church about the matter under discussion.
Paul and Barnabas had many arguments and debates with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go to Jerusalem and talk to the apostles and leaders there about this issue.
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 Brethren.
The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they explained how foreigners were being converted, which made all the believers very happy.
4 On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church, as well as by the Apostles and the Officers, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church members, the apostles, and the elders. They explained everything God had done through 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 they were opposed by some of the believers who belonged to the Pharisee faction. They said, “These converts have to be circumcised, and instructed to observe the law of Moses.”
6 The Apostles and the Officers of the Church held a meeting to consider this question.
The apostles and elders met together to discuss the issue.
7 After much discussion, Peter rose and said: “You, my Brothers, 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.
After much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that some time ago God chose me from among you so that the foreigners could hear the message of good news and trust in Jesus.
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.
God, who knows thewhat we're thinking, has shown that he accepts them, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.
9 He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
He doesn't make any distinction between us and them—he cleansed their thoughts as they trusted in him.
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?
So why do you want to oppose God and put a burden on the believers that our fathers weren't able to bear, and we can't either?
11 No, it is through the loving-kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
We're convinced that we're saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are.”
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.
Everyone listened attentively to Barnabas and Paul as they explained the miraculous signs that God had performed through them among the foreigners.
13 After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Brothers,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
After they had finished speaking, James spoke up, saying, “Brothers, listen to 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.
Simon has described how God first revealed his concern for the foreigners by taking from them a people committed to him.
15 And that is in harmony with the words of the Prophets, where they say —
This is in accordance with the words of the prophets, as it's written,
16 ‘“After this I will return; And I will rebuild the House of David which has fallen — Its very ruins I will rebuild, And will set it up once more;
‘In the future I will return, and I will rebuild the fallen house of David; I will rebuild its ruins and set it straight.
17 That so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord — Even all the Gentiles on whom my Name has been bestowed.”
I will do this so that those who are left may come to the Lord, including the foreigners who call on my name.
This is what the Lord says, who revealed these things long ago.’ (aiōn g165)
19 In my judgment, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
So my decision is that we shouldn't make it difficult for foreigners who turn 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.
We should write to them and tell them to avoid food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, meat of animals that have been strangled, and from consuming 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 the law of Moses has been taught in every town for a long, long time—it's read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 It was then decided by the Apostles and the Officers, 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 leading men among the Brethren.
Then the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, decided it would be good to choose some representatives and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, leaders among the brothers,
23 They were bearers of the following letter — ‘The Apostles, and the Brothers who are the Officers of the Church, send their greetings to the Brethren of Gentile birth in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
and sent them with this letter: “Greetings from us, the apostles and elders and brothers, to the non-Jewish brothers in Antioch, 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 —
We have heard that some from our group have confused you with their teachings, causing you trouble. We certainly didn't tell them to do this!
25 We met and decided to choose certain men and send them to you with our dear brothers Barnabas and Paul,
So we have agreed to choose some representatives and send them to you together with our much-loved brothers Barnabas and Paul,
26 who have sacrificed themselves for the Name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
who have risked 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.
So we are sending to you Judas and Silas who can verbally confirm what we're saying.
28 We have, therefore, decided, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to lay no further burden upon you beyond these necessary conditions —
It seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any heavier burden than these important requirements.
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.’
You should avoid: anything sacrificed to idols; blood; meat from strangled animals; and sexual immorality. You will do well to observe these requirements. God bless you.”
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 brethren,
The men were sent on their way to Antioch. When they arrived they called everybody together and delivered the letter.
31 and delivered the letter, the reading of which caused great rejoicing by its encouraging contents.
After they had read it, the people were so happy for the encouraging message.
32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves Prophets, further encouraged the Brethren by many an address, and strengthened their faith.
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the brothers, explaining many things, and strengthening them.
33 After some stay, they were dismissed with kind farewells from the Brethren, and returned to those who had sent them.
After spending some time there they were sent back by the brothers with their blessing to the believers in Jerusalem.
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.
But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of God along with many others.
36 Some time after this, Paul said to Barnabas: “Let us go back and visit the Brethren in every town in which we have told the Lord’s Message, and see how they are prospering.”
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let's go back and visit the believers in every town where we shared the word of the Lord, and see how they're doing.”
37 Barnabas wished to take with them John, whose other name was Mark;
Barnabas planned to take along John Mark too.
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 didn't think it was a good idea to take him with them, since he'd left them in Pamphylia and hadn't continued working with them.
39 This caused such unpleasant feeling between them that they parted, Barnabas taking Mark and sailing for Cyprus,
They had such a strong disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus.
40 while Paul chose Silas for his companion and, after he had been committed by the Brethren to the gracious care of the Lord,
Paul chose Silas, and as they left, the believers committed them to the grace of the Lord.
41 started on his journey and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches in the faith.
Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.
