Acts 15

New Matthew Bible

Disagreement about circumcision. The apostles bring peace to the matter at Jerusalem, and Paul and Barnabas preach at Antioch.

15 Then certain men came from Judea and taught the brethren, Unless you are circumcised as observed by Moses, you cannot be saved. ² And when dissension arose, and Paul and Barnabas had set themselves hard against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. ³ And after they were brought on their way by the congregation, they passed over Phoenicia and Samaria, telling about the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brethren.

⁴ And when they got to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the congregation, and by the apostles and elders. And they described what things God had done by them. ⁵ Then there rose up certain men of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying that it was necessary to circumcise the Gentiles, and to enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. ⁶ And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

⁷ And when there was much disputing, Peter rose up and said to them, Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe. ⁸ And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, and gave to them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us. ⁹ And he put no difference between them and us, but with faith purified their hearts. ¹⁰ Now therefore why do you tempt God, and put a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹ But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, as they do.

¹² Then all the company was silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul, who told what signs and wonders God had shown among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And afterward, while they held their peace, James spoke, saying, Men and brethren, listen to me. ¹⁴ Simon told how God at the beginning visited the Gentiles and took out of them people for his name. ¹⁵ And to this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written: ¹⁶ After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; and that which is fallen into decay of it, I will build again; and I will set it up, ¹⁷ so that the rest of mankind may seek after the Lord, even all the Gentiles upon whom my name is named, ¹⁸ says the Lord who does all these things.

Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. ¹⁹ Therefore my recommendation is that we not trouble those who from among the Gentiles are turned to God, ²⁰ but that we write to them to keep themselves from the defilement of idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For Moses since ancient times has had those who preach him in every city, and he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.

²² Then it pleased the apostles and elders with the whole congregation to send men chosen from their own company to Antioch (in Syria) with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas, called also Barsabas, and Silas, who were chief men among the brethren, ²³ and gave them letters in their hands as follows:

The apostles, elders, and brethren send greetings to the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. ²⁴ Since we have heard that certain men who departed from us have troubled you with words and unsettled your minds, saying you must be circumcised and keep the law – to whom we gave no such instruction – ²⁵ it seemed therefore to us a good thing, when we came together with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things by mouth. ²⁸ For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to put no greater burden upon you than these necessary things, ²⁹ that is to say, to abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and fornication. From which, if you keep yourselves, you will do well. So fare ye well.

³⁰ When they departed, they went to Antioch, and gathered the whole community together and delivered the epistle. ³¹ When they had read it, the people were glad of that consolation. ³² And Judas and Silas, being prophets, exhorted the brethren with much preaching, and strengthened them. ³³ And after they had stayed there a little while, they were let go in peace from the brethren to the apostles. ³⁴ Notwithstanding, it pleased Silas to remain there still. ³⁵ Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord with many others.

³⁶ But after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every place where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing. ³⁷ And Barnabas gave counsel to take with them John, called also Mark. ³⁸ But Paul did not think it good to take him into their company, who had departed from them at Pamphylia and not gone with them to the work. ³⁹ And the dissension was so sharp between them that they separated one from the other. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, ⁴⁰ and Paul chose Silas and departed, committed by the brethren to the grace of God. ⁴¹ And he went through all Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations.