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men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 But Paul and Barnabas became embroiled in a serious argument and debate with them over the issue. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some of the others, to up to Jerusalem to discuss this matter with the apostles and elders there.
3 So they were sent on their way by the church, and as they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted, and they created great joy among all the brothers. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done through them.
5 Then some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary for the Gentiles to be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. 7 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 would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He also did to us. 9 He made no distinction between them and us, for He purified their hearts by faith. 10 So why then are you testing God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we will be saved, in the same way they are.”
12 Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they described all the miraculous signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they had finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has reported how God first showed His concern for the Gentiles by taking from among them a people for His name. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 ‘After these things I will return
and I will rebuild David’s fallen tabernacle.
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 so that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord—
even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
says the Lord who does these things,
18which have been known from long ago’.
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause difficulties for those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has been preached in every city from ancient times, and he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”
22 Then the apostles and the 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, who are both leading men among the brothers. 23 They wrote this letter to be delivered by them:
The apostles and the elders, your brothers,
To the brothers from among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorisation, and they have disturbed you with what they said and unsettled your hearts 25 So we have all agreed to select men and send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas, who will also confirm the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not burden you further than these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.
30 So they were sent off and they went down to Antioch, where they gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter. 31 When the people read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent back with a blessing of peace to those who had sent them. 34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
36 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit our brothers in all the towns where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take with them John, also called Mark. 38 But Paul did not want to take him along with them, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia, and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.