ACTS 15:1 But certain persons who had come down from Judaea tried to convince the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised in accordance with the Mosaic custom, you cannot be saved."
ACTS 15:2 Between these new comers and Paul and Barnabas there was no little disagreement and controversy, until at last it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some other brethren should go up to consult the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem on this matter.
ACTS 15:3 So they set out, being accompanied for a short distance by some other members of the Church; and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story of the conversion of the Gentiles and inspired all the brethren with great joy.
ACTS 15:4 Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were cordially received by the Church, the Apostles, and the Elders; and they reported in detail all that God, working with them, had done.
ACTS 15:5 But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees but were now believers, stood up in the assembly, and said, "Yes, Gentile believers ought to be circumcised and be ordered to keep the Law of Moses."
ACTS 15:6 Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;
ACTS 15:7 and after there had been a long discussion Peter rose to his feet. "It is within your own knowledge," he said, "that God originally made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe.
ACTS 15:8 And God, who knows all hearts, gave His testimony in their favour by bestowing the Holy Spirit on them just as He did on us;
ACTS 15:9 and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.
ACTS 15:10 Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?
ACTS 15:11 On the contrary, we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we, as well as they, shall be saved."
ACTS 15:12 Then the whole assembly remained silent while they listened to the statement made by Paul and Barnabas as to all the signs and marvels that God had done among the Gentiles through their instrumentality.
ACTS 15:13 When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.
ACTS 15:14 Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.
ACTS 15:15 And this is in harmony with the language of the Prophets, which says:
ACTS 15:16 <"`"Afterwards I will return, and will rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it up again;
ACTS 15:17 In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord--even all the nations which are called by My name,"
ACTS 15:18 Says the Lord, who has been making these things known from ages long past.'>
ACTS 15:19 "My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.
ACTS 15:20 Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood.
ACTS 15:21 For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every town, being read, as he is, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the various synagogues."
ACTS 15:22 Thereupon it was decided by the Apostles and Elders, with the approval of the whole Church, to choose suitable persons from among themselves and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas. Judas, called Bar-sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, were selected,
ACTS 15:23 and they took with them the following letter: "The Apostles and the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
ACTS 15:24 As we have been informed that certain persons who have gone out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have unsettled your minds, without having received any such instructions from us;
ACTS 15:25 we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,
ACTS 15:26 who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ACTS 15:27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.
ACTS 15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements--
ACTS 15:29 You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell."
ACTS 15:30 They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and delivered the letter.
ACTS 15:31 The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought them.
ACTS 15:32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.
ACTS 15:33 After spending some time there they received an affectionate farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them.
ACTS 15:34 []
ACTS 15:35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and, in company with many others, telling the Good News of the Lord's Message.
ACTS 15:36 After a while Paul said to Barnabas, "Suppose we now revisit the brethren in the various towns in which we have made known the Lord's Message--to see whether they are prospering!"
ACTS 15:37 Barnabas, however, was bent on taking with them John, whose other name was Mark,
ACTS 15:38 while Paul deemed it undesirable to have as their companion one who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.
ACTS 15:39 So there arose a serious disagreement between them, which resulted in their parting from one another, Barnabas taking Mark and setting sail for Cyprus.
ACTS 15:40 But Paul chose Silas as his travelling companion; and set out, after being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord;
ACTS 15:41 and he passed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the Churches.
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