15Acts 15

1Some people came from Judea and started teaching the Lord's followers that they could not be saved, unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught.Select Acts 15:1

2This caused trouble, and Paul and Barnabas argued with them about this teaching. So it was decided to send Paul and Barnabas and a few others to Jerusalem to discuss this problem with the apostles and the church leaders.Select Acts 15:2

The Church Leaders Meet in Jerusalem

3The men who were sent by the church went through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling how the Gentiles had turned to God. This news made the Lord's followers very happy.Select Acts 15:3

4When the men arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, including the apostles and the leaders. They told them everything God had helped them do.Select Acts 15:4

5But some Pharisees had become followers of the Lord. They stood up and said, “Gentiles who have faith in the Lord must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses.”Select Acts 15:5

6The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles.Select Acts 15:6

7They had talked it over for a long time, when Peter got up and said: My friends, you know that God decided long ago to let me be the one from your group to preach the good news to the Gentiles. God did this so they would hear and obey him.Select Acts 15:7

8He knows what is in everyone's heart. And he showed he had chosen the Gentiles, when he gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he had given his Spirit to us.Select Acts 15:8

9God treated them in the same way that he treated us. They put their faith in him, and he made their hearts pure.Select Acts 15:9

10Now why are you trying to make God angry by placing a heavy burden on these followers? This burden was too heavy for us or our ancestors.Select Acts 15:10

11But we believe that we will be saved by the gift of undeserved grace from our Lord Jesus Christ, just as the Gentiles are.Select Acts 15:11

12Everyone kept quiet and listened as Barnabas and Paul told how God had given them the power to work a lot of miracles and wonders for the Gentiles.Select Acts 15:12

13After they had finished speaking, James said: My friends, listen to me!Select Acts 15:13

14Simon Peter has told how God first came to the Gentiles and made some of them his own people.Select Acts 15:14

15This agrees with what the prophets wrote,Select Acts 15:15

16“I, the Lord, will return and rebuild David's fallen house. I will build it from its ruins and set it up again.Select Acts 15:16

17Then other nations will turn to me and be my chosen ones. I, the Lord, say this.Select Acts 15:17

18I promised it long ago.”Select Acts 15:18

19And so, my friends, I don't think we should place burdens on the Gentiles who are turning to God.Select Acts 15:19

20We should simply write and tell them not to eat anything that has been offered to idols. They should be told not to eat the meat of any animal that has been strangled or that still has blood in it. They must also not commit any terrible sexual sins.Select Acts 15:20

21We must remember that the Law of Moses has been preached in city after city for many years, and every Sabbath it is read in our synagogues.Select Acts 15:21

A Letter to Gentiles Who Had Faith in the Lord

22The apostles, the leaders, and all the church members decided to send some men to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Silas and Judas Barsabbas, who were two leaders of the Lord's followers.Select Acts 15:22

23They wrote a letter that said: We apostles and leaders send friendly greetings to all of you Gentiles who are followers of the Lord in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.Select Acts 15:23

24We have heard that some people from here have terribly upset you by what they said. But we did not send them!Select Acts 15:24

25So we met together and decided to choose some men and to send them to you along with our good friends Barnabas and Paul.Select Acts 15:25

26These men have risked their lives for our Lord Jesus Christ.Select Acts 15:26

27We are also sending Judas and Silas, who will tell you in person the same things that we are writing.Select Acts 15:27

28The Holy Spirit has shown us that we should not place any extra burden on you.Select Acts 15:28

29But you should not eat anything offered to idols. You should not eat any meat that still has the blood in it or any meat of any animal that has been strangled. You must also not commit any terrible sexual sins. If you follow these instructions, you will do well. We send our best wishes.Select Acts 15:29

30The four men left Jerusalem and went to Antioch. Then they called the church members together and gave them the letter.Select Acts 15:30

31When the letter was read, everyone was pleased and greatly encouraged.Select Acts 15:31

32Judas and Silas were prophets, and they spoke a long time, encouraging and helping the Lord's followers.Select Acts 15:32

33The men from Jerusalem stayed on in Antioch for a while. And when they left to return to the ones who had sent them, the followers wished them well.Select Acts 15:33

35But Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached about the Lord.Select Acts 15:35

Paul and Barnabas Go Their Separate Ways

36Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let's go back and visit the Lord's followers in the cities where we preached his message. Then we will know how they are doing.”Select Acts 15:36

37Barnabas wanted to take along John, whose other name was Mark.Select Acts 15:37

38But Paul did not want to, because Mark had left them in Pamphylia and had stopped working with them.Select Acts 15:38

39Paul and Barnabas argued, then each of them went his own way. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus,Select Acts 15:39

40but Paul took Silas and left after the followers had placed them in God's care.Select Acts 15:40

41They traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches.Select Acts 15:41