Acts Chapter 15 (Index)

001  And 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.

002  When 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.

003  And 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.

004  And 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.

005  But 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.

006  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

007  And 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.

008  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

009  And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

010  Now 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?

011  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

012  Then 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.

013  And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

014  Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

015  And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

016  After 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:

017  That 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.

018  Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

019  Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

020  But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

021  For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

022  Then 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:

023  And 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:

024  Forasmuch 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:

025  It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

026  Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

027  We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

028  For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

029  That 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.

030  So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

031  Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

032  And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

033  And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

034  Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

035  Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

036  And 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.

037  And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

038  But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

039  And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

040  And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

041  And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.