Acts 15

2. The council at Jerusalem

115 While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers*: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2Paul and Barnabas disagreed with them, arguing vehemently. Finally, the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, accompanied by some local believers, to talk to the apostles and elders about this question. 3The church sent the delegates to Jerusalem, and they stopped along the way in Phoenicia and Samaria to visit the believers. They told them—much to everyone's joy—that the Gentiles, too, were being converted. 4When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them. 5But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and in- ee gst sisted, “The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses.” 6So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue. 7At the meeting, afteralong 15:78. discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God Ws chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. 8God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction be- h2¢ 10:43 tween us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. 10So why are you now chal- Rom 10:12 lenging God by burdening the Gentile believers* with a yoke that neither we nor our 5:00,, ancestors were able to bear? 11We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the un- Gal 5:1 15:11 deserved grace of the LORD Jesus.” Rom 3:24 12Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and Eph 2:5-8 wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 1! 5:12 37: 16:4 ets 14:27; 15: 13When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14Peter*hastold (© you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. Abie 12-17 15And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As itis written: 15:14 . Acts 15:7-9 16‘Afterward I will return 45-16-17 and restore the fallen house* of David. tAmos 9:11-12 I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the LORD, including the Gentiles— all those I have called to be mine. The LORD has spoken— 45:18 18 he who made these things known so long ago.’* isa 45:21 19” And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are,..55 turning to God. 20Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered Gen 9:4. XO in to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from [ey 3:17 consuming blood. 2*For these laws of Moses have been preached in Jewish synagogues in Deut 12.16 every city on every Sabbath for many generations.” 45194 15:10 Greek disciples. 15:14 Greek Symeon. 15:16 Or kingdom; Greek reads tent. 15:16-18 Amos 9:11-12 Acts 13:15 (Greek version); Isa 45:21.

The Letter for Gentile Believers

2222Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders*—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas. 23This is the letter they took with them:

1. They were devout, practicing Jews who found

it difficult to set aside a tradition of gainingmerit with God by keeping the law.

2. They thought grace was too easy for the

Gentiles.

1. To submit to Jewish demands would be to

doubt what God had already done for themby grace alone.

2. They resisted exchanging their pagan rituals

for a system of Jewish rituals—neither ofwhich had power to save.3. They sought to obey Christ by baptism (ratherthan by circumcision) as a sign of their newfaith.

1. They tried to distinguish between what was

true from God’s Word versus what was justhuman tradition,

2. They had Christ's command to preach to all

the world.

“This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings! 24“We understand that some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching, but we did not send them! 25So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26who have risked their lives for the name of our LORD Jesus Christ. 27We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question. 28“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: 2? You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.” 30The messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the believers and detivered the letter. 31And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message. 32Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. 3SThey stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace.* $5Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others taught and preached the word of the LORD there. 3. Second missionary journey

Paul and Barnabas Separate

3636After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the LORD, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the LORD’s gracious care. “1Then he traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches there.