Acts 15:1-21 - The Jerusalem Council
1 AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 There being therefore no small contention and dispute maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this question. 3 They therefore being sent on their way by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving a particular narrative of the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren.
4 Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they related how great things God had done by them. 5 But up rose some of the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of Moses.
6 Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider of this matter. 7 When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and believe. 8 And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; 9 and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the same way as they.
12 Then the whole multitude kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs and miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 13 Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and brethren, hear me: 14 Simon hath fully related, how at first God graciously looked upon [the Gentiles], to take from them a people for his name. 15 And in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 "After this will I return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up from the foundation, and will set it upright again: 17 that the residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who doth all these things." 18 Known unto God from the beginning are all his works.
19 Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God: 20 but that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol [sacrifices], and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses for ages past in every city hath those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day.