Acts 15

1 And some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised by the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And when no small dissension and debate came about between them and Paul and Barnabas, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of their own to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this question. 3 So they, sent on their way by the gathering, went through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the turning of the nations in full; and they made great joy for all the brothers. 4 And when they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the gathering and the apostles and the elders, and they reported everything God had done with them. 5 But some of those from the sect of the Pharisees who had come to trust stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.” [a]

6 And the apostles and the elders gathered together to see about this matter. 7 And when much debate had come about, Peter stood up and said to them, “Men, brothers, you know that from early days God chose among you that through my mouth the nations should hear the word of the good news and trust. 8 And God, who knows hearts, bore them witness by giving the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you put God to the test by laying on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we were strong enough to carry? [b] 11 But we trust that we are saved through the favor of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they are.” † 12 And the whole multitude went quiet, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul telling all the signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

13 And after they had gone quiet, James answered, saying, “Men, brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has told how God first looked in on the nations, to take out of them a people for his name. [c] 15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

19 “Therefore I judge that we are not to make trouble for those from the nations who are turning to God, 20 but to write to them to keep away from the pollutions of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what is strangled, and from blood. [f] 21 For from ancient generations Moses has in every city those who proclaim him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole gathering, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas — Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers — 23 writing by their hand: [g]

The apostles and the elders, brothers, to the brothers throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia who are from the nations: greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some from among us went out and troubled you with words, unsettling your souls — men we gave no such instructions to — 25 it seemed good to us, having come to one mind, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have handed over their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we have sent Judas and Silas, and they themselves will report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 to keep away from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. †

30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and having gathered the multitude together they handed over the letter. 31 And when they read it they rejoiced at the encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with much speaking and strengthened them. 33 And after they had spent some time they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. [h] 35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, teaching and bringing the good news of the word of the Lord, with many others as well.

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back now and look in on the brothers in every city in which we announced the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 And Barnabas wanted to take John, the one called Mark, along with them; 38 but Paul kept insisting that the man who had left them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work should not be taken along. 39 And a sharp falling-out came about, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark and sailed off to Cyprus; [i] 40 and Paul chose Silas and went out, handed over by the brothers to the favor of the Lord. 41 And he was going through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the gatherings.