Acts 15
1Certain people came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2Since this produced a serious disturbance and no small amount of debate between Paul and Barnabas and these individuals, the community appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others from their number to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders concerning this dispute.
3So, after being sent on their way by the assembly, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, narrating in detail the turning of the nations to God, and they brought great joy to all the brothers. 4When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the assembly, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything God had done in partnership with them. 5But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.”
6The apostles and the elders gathered together to look into this matter. 7After much debate had taken place, Peter stood up and said to them: “Men, brothers, you know that from the early days God made a choice among you: that through my mouth the nations should hear the word of the good news and believe. 8And God, the heart-knower, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10Now, therefore, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to carry? 11On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”
12The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they described all the signs and wonders God had performed among the nations through them. 13After they finished speaking, James responded: “Men, brothers, listen to me. 14Symeon has described how God first visited the nations to take from them a people for his name. 15And the words of the prophets are in harmony with this, just as it is written:
16‘After these things I will return and I will rebuild the fallen tent of David; its ruins I will rebuild and I will restore it, 17so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord— even all the nations over whom my name has been invoked,’ says the Lord, who does these things 18known from of old.
19Therefore, it is my judgment that we should not trouble those from the nations who are turning to God, 20but instead write to them to abstain from the pollutions of idols, from sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21For from ancient generations, Moses has had those who preach him in every city, being read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, 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. 23They sent the following letter by their hand: “The apostles and the elders, your brothers, to the brothers from the nations in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24Since we heard that some of our number have gone out and disturbed you with their words, unsettling your minds—though we gave them no such instructions— 25it seemed good to us, having reached a unanimous decision, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have handed over their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will themselves report these same things by word of mouth. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden upon you than these essential requirements: 29to abstain from things 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.”
30So, when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When the people read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with a long message. 33After spending some time there, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and announcing the good news of the word of the Lord, along with many others.
36After some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return now and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are.” 37Barnabas wanted to take John (called Mark) along with them as well. 38But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them into the work. 39A sharp disagreement occurred, so that they separated from one another. Barnabas took Mark and sailed away to Cyprus, 40but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been committed to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. 41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.