Acts 15:1-21 - The Jerusalem Council

¹ Then came certain from Jewry and taught the brethren, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses ye cannot be saved." ² And when there was risen dissension and disputing not a little unto Paul and Barnabas, against them: they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should ascend to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. ³ And after they were brought on their way by the congregation, they passed over Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy unto all the brethren.

⁴ And when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the congregation and of the apostles and elders. And they declared what things God had done by them. ⁵ Then arose there up certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which did believe: saying that it was needful to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

⁶ And the apostles and elders came together to reason of this matter. ⁷ And when there was much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, "Ye men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago, God chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe. ⁸ And God which knoweth the heart, bare them witness, and gave unto them the holy ghost, even as he did unto us; ⁹ And he put no difference between them and us, but with faith purified their hearts. ¹⁰ Now therefore, why tempt ye God, that ye would put a yoke on the disciples necks which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? ¹¹ But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, as they do."

¹² Then all the multitude was peaced and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul which told what signs and wonders God had showed among the gentiles by them. ¹³ And when they held their peace, James answered, saying, "Men and brethren hearken unto me; ¹⁴ Simeon told how God at the beginning did visit the gentiles, and received of them people unto his name. ¹⁵ And to this agreeth the words of the prophets, as it is written,

¹⁶ 'After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down, and that which is fallen in decay of it will I build again and I will set it up, ¹⁷ that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and also the Gentiles upon whom my name is named saith the Lord, which doth all these things.' ¹⁸ Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

¹⁹ Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them which from among the gentiles are turned to God: ²⁰ but that we write unto them, that they abstain themselves from filthiness of images, from fornication, from strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For Moses of old time in every city hath them that preach him, and he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath day."