Acts 15

Some men from Judea came down to Antioch, and told the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised as is the custom of Moses, you can't be saved.” So Paul and Barnabas had a big disagreement and discussion with them. So the congregation appointed Paul and Barnabas, with some others of their number, to go up to Jerusalem and consult the apostles and elders about this question." (Acts 15:1-2).

Verses 3-4

 "Paul and Barnabas, after being sent forth by the church at Antioch, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling about the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brethren. When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and elders. Paul and Barnabas reported all things that God had done with them." (Acts 15:3-4).

Verses 5-6

"But some believers from the sect of the Pharisees rose up saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.” So the apostles and the elders gathered together to examine this matter." (Acts 15:5-6).

Verses 7-9

"When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to the congregation, “Brethren, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentile nations should hear the word of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:7-9).

Verses 10-11

"Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as they are”" (Acts 15:10-11).

Verse 12

"After Peter spoke, the congregation kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting the signs and wonders that God had done by them among the Gentile nations" (Acts 15:12).

Verses 13-18

"After Paul and Barnabas finished speaking, James answered, “Brethren, hear me. Simon Peter has reported how God first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, 'After these things I will return. I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, all the Gentiles who are called by my name. Thus says the Lord, who does all these things and knows them from eternity'”" (Acts 15:13-18).

Verses 19-21

"Therefore my judgment is that we do not trouble those who turn to God from among the Gentiles. Let us write to them only that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses, from generations of old, has in every city those who preach him, and read him in the synagogues every Sabbath” " (Acts 15:19-21).

Verses 22-23

"Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas Barsabas, and Silas, leaders among the brethren. By their hand they sent this letter: “The apostles, the elders, and the brethren in Jerusalem, to the brethren among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia — greetings" (Acts 15:22-23).

Verses 24-27

"We have heard that some have gone out from among us to trouble you with their words, unsettling your souls. They say, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law.' We gave them no such commandment. So it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to select men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth" (Acts 15:24-27).

Verses 28-29

"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell” " (Acts 15:28-29).

Verses 30-31

"So, when Judas, Silas, Barnabas, and Paul, were sent off, they went to Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter. When they had read it, the congregation rejoiced because the letter was so encouraging" (Acts 15:30-31).