1But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Le 12:3; Joh 21:23; Ac 6:14; Ac 15:3; Ac 15:5; Ac 15:22; Ac 15:24; Ac 15:36; Ac 15:40; 1Co 7:18; Ga 2:11; Ga 2:14; Ga 5:2)2And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. (Ac 5:12; Ac 11:30; Ac 15:4; Ac 15:6; Ac 15:7; Ac 15:22; Ac 16:4; Ga 2:1)3So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.[1] (Ac 11:18; Ac 14:27; Ac 15:1; Ac 17:15; Ac 21:5; Ro 15:24; 1Co 16:6; 1Co 16:11; 2Co 1:16; Tit 3:13; 3Jo 1:6)4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. (Ac 15:2; Ac 15:3; Ac 21:17)5But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.” (Ac 15:1; Ac 24:5; Ga 5:3)6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. (Ac 15:4; Ac 15:12; Ac 15:25)7And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. (Ac 10:20; Ac 15:2; Ac 20:24; Eph 1:13; Col 1:5; 1Th 1:5)8And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, (Ac 1:24; Ac 10:44; Ac 10:47; Ac 11:15; Ac 11:17; Ac 14:3; Ac 15:28; Ga 3:2)9and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. (Ps 51:10; Ac 10:28; Ac 10:34; Ac 10:43; Ac 11:12; Ac 26:18; Ro 3:22; 2Co 7:1; Eph 3:6; 1Pe 1:22)10Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? (Ps 106:14; Isa 7:12; Mt 11:28; Mt 23:4; Lu 11:46; Ac 15:28; Ga 5:1)11But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (Ac 15:9; Ac 16:31; Ro 3:24; Ro 5:15; Eph 2:5; Eph 2:8; 1Th 5:9; 2Ti 1:9; Tit 2:11; Tit 3:7)12And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. (Ac 14:27; Ac 15:4)13After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. (Ac 12:17)14Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. (De 7:6; Isa 43:21; Ac 15:7; Ac 18:10; Ro 9:24)15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,16“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, (Jer 12:15; Am 9:11)17that the remnant[2] of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things (Isa 43:7; Jer 14:9; Da 9:19; Ac 17:27)18known from of old.’ (Isa 45:21)19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, (Ac 14:15; Ac 15:28)20but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. (Le 3:17; Eze 4:13; Da 1:8; Mal 1:7; Mal 1:12; Ac 15:29; Ac 21:25; 1Co 6:18; 1Co 10:7; Re 2:14; Re 2:20)21For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.” (Ac 13:15; Ac 13:27; 2Co 3:14)
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, (Ac 1:23; Ac 15:1; Ac 15:2; 1Pe 5:12)23with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers[3] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. (Ac 15:22; Ac 23:26; Jas 1:1; 2Jo 1:10)24Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you[4] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, (Ac 15:1; Ga 1:7; Ga 2:4; Ga 5:10; Ga 5:12; Tit 1:10)25it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, (Ac 1:14; 2Pe 3:15)26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ac 9:23; Ac 14:19; Ac 20:24; Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:11; 1Jo 3:16)27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. (Ac 15:22; Ac 15:32)28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: (Joh 16:13; Ac 5:32; Ac 15:8; Ac 15:10; Ac 15:19; 1Co 7:40; Re 2:24)29that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” (Ac 15:20; Ac 21:25; 1Co 8:1; 1Co 8:4; 1Co 8:7; 1Co 8:10; 1Co 10:19; Re 2:14; Re 2:20)30So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter.31And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.32And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. (Ac 13:1; Ac 14:22; Ac 15:1)33And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.[5] (Ge 26:29; Ac 15:32; 1Co 16:11; Heb 11:31)35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. (Ac 13:1)
Paul and Barnabas Separate
36And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” (Ac 13:4; Ac 13:13; Ac 13:51; Ac 14:6; Ac 14:24; Ac 15:32)37Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. (Ac 12:12)38But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. (Ac 13:13)39And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, (Ac 17:16; Col 4:10)40but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. (Ac 11:23; Ac 14:26; Ac 15:1; Ac 15:11; Ro 16:20)41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. (Ac 15:32; Ac 16:5)
Acts 15
New International Version
The council at Jerusalem
1Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: ‘Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.’2This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.3The church sent them on their way, and as they travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad.4When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.5Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.’6The apostles and elders met to consider this question.7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: ‘Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles should hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.9He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear?11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.’12The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.13When they finished, James spoke up. ‘Brothers,’ he said, ‘listen to me.14Simon[1] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.15The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:16‘ “After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,17that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things”[2] – (Am 9:11; Am 9:12)18things known from long ago.[3]19‘It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.20Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.21For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.’
The council’s letter to Gentile believers
22Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers.23With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.24We have heard that some went out from us without our authorisation and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.25So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul –26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.28It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:29You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.30So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.31The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.32Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers.33-34After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.[4]35But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas
36Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.’37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,38but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.39They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,40but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 15
King James Version
1And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.6And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.22Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:23And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:31Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.33And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.34Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.36And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Acts 15
New International Reader’s Version
Church leaders meet in Jerusalem
1Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch. Here is what they were teaching the believers. ‘Moses commanded you to be circumcised,’ they said. ‘If you aren’t, you can’t be saved.’2But Paul and Barnabas didn’t agree with this. They argued strongly with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed to go up to Jerusalem. Some other believers were chosen to go with them. They were told to ask the apostles and elders about this question.3The church sent them on their way. They travelled through Phoenicia and Samaria. There they told how the Gentiles had turned to God. This news made all the believers very glad.4When they arrived in Jerusalem, the church welcomed them. The apostles and elders welcomed them too. Then Paul and Barnabas reported everything God had done through them.5Some of the believers were Pharisees. They stood up and said, ‘The Gentiles must be circumcised. They must obey the law of Moses.’6The apostles and elders met to consider this question.7After they had talked it over, Peter got up and spoke to them. ‘Brothers’, he said, ‘you know that some time ago God chose me. He appointed me to take the good news to the Gentiles. He wanted them to hear the good news and believe.8God knows the human heart. By giving the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles, he showed that he accepted them. He did the same for them as he had done for us.9God showed that there is no difference between us and them. That’s because he made their hearts pure because of their faith.10Now then, why are you trying to test God? You test him when you put a heavy load on the shoulders of Gentiles. Our people of long ago couldn’t carry that load. We can’t either.11No! We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus. The Gentiles are saved in the same way.’12Everyone became quiet as they listened to Barnabas and Paul. They were telling about the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.13When they finished, James spoke up. ‘Brothers’, he said, ‘listen to me.14Simon Peter has explained to us what God has now done. He has chosen some of the Gentiles to be among his very own people.15The prophets’ words agree with that. They say,16‘ “After this I will return and set up again David’s fallen tent. I will rebuild what was destroyed. I will make it what it used to be.17Then everyone else can look to the Lord. This includes all the Gentiles who belong to me, says the Lord. The Lord is the one who does these things.” (Am 9:11; Am 9:12)18The Lord does things that have been known from long ago.19‘Now here is my decision. We should not make it hard for the Gentiles who are turning to God.20Here is what we should write to them. They must not eat food that has been made impure by being offered to statues of gods. They must not commit sexual sins. They must not eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And they must not drink blood.21These laws of Moses have been preached in every city from the earliest times. They are read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath day.’
A letter is written to Gentile believers
22Then the apostles, the elders and the whole church decided what to do. They would choose some of their own men who were leaders among the believers. They would send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. So they chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas. They were leaders among the believers.23Here is the letter they sent with them. The apostles and elders, your brothers, are writing this letter. We are sending it to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. Greetings.24We have heard that some of our people came to you and caused trouble. You were upset by what they said. But we had given them no authority to go.25So we all agreed to send our dear friends Barnabas and Paul to you. We chose some other men to go with them.26Barnabas and Paul have put their lives in danger. They did it for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.27So we are sending Judas and Silas with them. What they say will agree with this letter.28Here is what seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us. We will not give you a load that is too heavy. So here are a few basic rules.29Don’t eat food that has been offered to statues of gods. Don’t drink blood. Don’t eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And don’t commit sexual sins. You will do well to keep away from these things. Farewell.30So the men were sent down to Antioch. There they gathered the church together. They gave the letter to them.31The people read it. They were glad for its message of hope.32Judas and Silas were prophets. They said many things to give strength and hope to the believers.33-34Judas and Silas stayed there for some time. Then the believers sent them away with the blessing of peace. They sent them back to those who had sent them out.35Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch. There they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas do not agree
36Some time later Paul spoke to Barnabas. ‘Let’s go back to all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord,’ he said. ‘Let’s visit the believers and see how they are doing.’37Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them.38But Paul didn’t think it was wise to take him. Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia. He hadn’t continued with them in their work.39Barnabas and Paul strongly disagreed with each other. So they went their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus.40But Paul chose Silas. The believers asked the Lord to give his grace to Paul and Silas as they went.41Paul travelled through Syria and Cilicia. He gave strength to the churches there.