Acts Chapter 15
The Conference on Circumcision
1 Some men came down from Jerusalem and started teaching the believers, “Unless you’re circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.” 2 Paul and Barnabas strongly opposed them. The believers appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this controversy. 3 The church sent them forward through Phoenicia and Samaria, reporting extensively on Gentile conversions and bringing a great deal of excitement to those Christians.
4 When they got to Jerusalem, the church, apostles, and elders welcomed them; and they recounted what God had done with them. 5 But some Pharisees that believed got up to say they needed to circumcise them and charge them to keep the Law of Moses.
Acts 15:1-5
6 The apostles and elders got together to look into the issue. 7 After considerable discussion, Peter stood up,
“Brothers, you know that some time ago God decided Gentiles would hear the good news from me and believe. 8 God knows people’s hearts and testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit like he did to us Jews. 9 He didn’t make any distinction between them and us. He purified their hearts by trust. 10 So why test God now by putting a yoke on the disciples’ neck that our ancestors and we couldn’t bear? 11 We believe that the grace of the Lord Jesus has saved us the same way it has them.”
Acts 15:6-11
12 The assembly remained quiet and listened to Barnabas and Paul explain what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13 Then James responded,
14 “Simon has recounted how God first took people out of the Gentiles for himself. 15 That fits what the prophets have written,
16 ‘“After that, I’ll return
and rebuild David’s fallen tabernacle.
I’ll rebuild it and set it up.
I’ll do that so
17 the rest of mankind can seek the LORD,
that is, the Gentiles who wear my name,”
says the LORD that’s doing this’ [Amos 9:11-12 mainly < LXX],
18 who is known from of old.’
19 So my judgment is that we stop troubling Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but write to them to abstain from defilements with idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and blood; 21 because for generations people have preached Moses in every city and read about him in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
Acts 15:12-21
The Conference Answers
22 The apostles, elders, and the whole church thought it would be good to choose men to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Silas and Judas called Barsabbas, leaders among the Jewish Christians. 23 They wrote,
“Apostles and elders, to Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings. 24 We’ve heard that some have gone out from us on their own and upset you with their message. 25 We met and considered it good to send select men with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who’ve risked their lives for our Lord Jesus the Messiah. 27 So we’ve sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same thing orally. 28 The Holy Spirit and we considered it good not to lay any burden on you but this: 29 abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood and things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from those, you’ll do well. Goodbye.”
Acts 15:22-29
30 The ones they sent went down to Antioch, gathered the crowd, and delivered the letter. 31 They were elated over the consolation. 32 Judas and Silas, being prophets, confirmed the converts with additional presentation. 33 When they’d spent some time, the Christians there let them go back in peace. [ 34 ]ms 35 Paul and Barnabas stayed, teaching and preaching the Lord’s message along with a host of others.
Acts 15:30-35
The Parting of Paul and Barnabas
36 After a time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back to the towns and cities where we presented the Lord’s message and see how the converts are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark along, 38 but Paul didn’t think it was wise to take him because he’d deserted them at Pamphylia instead of going on with them to the work. 39 Such a serious disagreement arose that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 Paul chose Silas and went out, commended to God’s grace. 41 Paul went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 15:36-41