Acts 15:8 Themes and Topics

Then it seemed good to the apostles, and elders, and the whole church, to send men chose from among themselves to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas sirnamed Barsabas, and Silas; leading men among the brethren: Verse Concepts

Now some that came down from Judea, taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised according to the law of Moses, ye cannot be saved. A dissension therefore arising, and Paul and Barnabas having no small dispute with them, it was resolved that Paul and Barnabas, and some others, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. They therefore, being brought forward on their way by the church, passed through Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they told them all that God had done by them. But there rose up, said they, some of the sect of the pharisees that believed, saying, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in like manner as they. And all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, relating what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me. ---Simeon hath related, how God at first condescended to take out of the Gentiles a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, "After this will I return, and rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will repair its ruins, and set it up again. That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the nations, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things." Now all his works are known unto God from the beginning of the world: wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses hath had from ancient times those that preach him in every city, and is still read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles, and elders, and the whole church, to send men chose from among themselves to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas sirnamed Barsabas, and Silas; leading men among the brethren: and they wrote by their hand, as follows, The apostles and elders and brethren here to the Gentile brethren which are in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved brethren Barnabas and Paul, who have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent with them Judas and Silas, to tell you the same things also by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the holy Spirit, and so to us, to lay no more burthen upon you than these necessary things. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from fornication: from which ye will do well to keep yourselves. Farewel. Being thus dispatched they came to Antioch, and when they had assembled the brethren, they delivered the epistle. And when they had read it, they rejoiced at the consolation it brought. And Judas and Silas being prophets also themselves, exhorted and established: the brethren by many discourses. And after some time, they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to the apostles. But it seemed good to Silas to continue there: Paul also and Barnabas stayed at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others likewise, the word of the Lord.

Now some that came down from Judea, taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised according to the law of Moses, ye cannot be saved. A dissension therefore arising, and Paul and Barnabas having no small dispute with them, it was resolved that Paul and Barnabas, and some others, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. They therefore, being brought forward on their way by the church, passed through Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they told them all that God had done by them. But there rose up, said they, some of the sect of the pharisees that believed, saying, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission; Verse Concepts

But even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised; and that because of the false brethren clandestinely introduced, who had crept in as spies upon our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: to whom we yielded no submission, not even for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ: and there is neither Jew nor Greek, those is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name, and we forbad him, because he followeth not thee with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not; for he, that is not against us, is for us.

But John answered Him and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name, who doth not follow us; and we forbade him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no one, that worketh a miracle in my name, and can presently speak evil of me: for he that is not against us, is for us. read more.
For whosoever shall give you but a cup of water to drink, for my sake; because ye are Christ's, I assure you, he shall not lose his reward.

As therefore God gave to them the like gift that He did to us, upon our believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I should be able to withstand God? And when they heard these things they acquiesced, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God given to the Gentiles also repentance unto life.

Now some that came down from Judea, taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised according to the law of Moses, ye cannot be saved. A dissension therefore arising, and Paul and Barnabas having no small dispute with them, it was resolved that Paul and Barnabas, and some others, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. They therefore, being brought forward on their way by the church, passed through Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they told them all that God had done by them. But there rose up, said they, some of the sect of the pharisees that believed, saying, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in like manner as they. And all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, relating what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me. ---Simeon hath related, how God at first condescended to take out of the Gentiles a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, "After this will I return, and rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will repair its ruins, and set it up again. That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the nations, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things." Now all his works are known unto God from the beginning of the world: wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses hath had from ancient times those that preach him in every city, and is still read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles, and elders, and the whole church, to send men chose from among themselves to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas sirnamed Barsabas, and Silas; leading men among the brethren: and they wrote by their hand, as follows, The apostles and elders and brethren here to the Gentile brethren which are in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved brethren Barnabas and Paul, who have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent with them Judas and Silas, to tell you the same things also by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the holy Spirit, and so to us, to lay no more burthen upon you than these necessary things. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from fornication: from which ye will do well to keep yourselves. Farewel. Being thus dispatched they came to Antioch, and when they had assembled the brethren, they delivered the epistle. And when they had read it, they rejoiced at the consolation it brought.

Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which He had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures) concerning his Son, who was of the seed of David according to the flesh, read more.
but powerfully declared to be the Son of God, according to the spirit of holiness, by his resurrection from the dead, even Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom we have received grace and apostleship to preach the obedience of faith for his name's sake, to all nations; among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ; to all that are in Rome beloved of God, called and holy: grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

For I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the learned and the unlearned: therefore am I ready, as much as in me lies, to preach the gospel to you also that are at Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, both Jew and Greek:

Wherefore by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before Him: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now, without the law, righteousness before God is manifested, being attested by the law and the prophets; and this righteousness of God is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all believers; for there is no difference; read more.
for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace, because of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath appointed to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness, in the remission of past sins, according to the forbearance of God; for a demonstration, I say, of his righteousness at this time: that He might be just, and the justifier of him, that believeth in Jesus. Where then is boasting? it is excluded: by what law? of works? no: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude, that a man is justified by faith, without the works of the law: or is He the God of the Jews only, and not also of the Gentiles? surely of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision also through faith. Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: yea we establish the law.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: through whom also we have admission by faith into this grace in which we stand, and boast in hope of the glory of God.

For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and removed the wall of partition from between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might form the two into one new man, in Himself, so making peace; and that He might reconcile both in one body unto God, by the cross, having thereby slain the enmity: read more.
and He came and preached peace to you that were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that He might form the two into one new man, in Himself, so making peace; Verse Concepts

Wherein there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free: but Christ is all and in all. Verse Concepts

They, who want to make a fair appearance in the flesh, would constrain you to be circumcised; only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Verse Concepts

But there rose up, said they, some of the sect of the pharisees that believed, saying, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. read more.
And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in like manner as they. And all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, relating what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me. ---Simeon hath related, how God at first condescended to take out of the Gentiles a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, "After this will I return, and rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will repair its ruins, and set it up again. That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the nations, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things." Now all his works are known unto God from the beginning of the world: wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses hath had from ancient times those that preach him in every city, and is still read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles, and elders, and the whole church, to send men chose from among themselves to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas sirnamed Barsabas, and Silas; leading men among the brethren: and they wrote by their hand, as follows, The apostles and elders and brethren here to the Gentile brethren which are in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved brethren Barnabas and Paul, who have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent with them Judas and Silas, to tell you the same things also by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the holy Spirit, and so to us, to lay no more burthen upon you than these necessary things. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from fornication: from which ye will do well to keep yourselves. Farewel.

surely of the Gentiles also: seeing it is one God who will justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision also through faith. Verse Concepts

Now is this blessedness upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? for we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted to him? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all that believe though not circumcised, that righteousness may be imputed to them also:

Is any one called that is circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: is any one called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised: for circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God.

But even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised; and that because of the false brethren clandestinely introduced, who had crept in as spies upon our liberty, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to the whole law. Christ is become nothing to you, whosoever of you are seeking to be justified by the law: ye are fallen from the grace of the gospel. read more.
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well: who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion came not from him that called you: but a little leaven leaveneth the whole mass. I have confidence in you however through the Lord, that ye will not think otherwise: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgement, whosoever he be. And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted by the Jews? for then the offence of the cross is ceased.

Wherefore remember that ye were formerly Gentiles in the flesh, called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision made by hands in the flesh; Verse Concepts

Now some that came down from Judea, taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised according to the law of Moses, ye cannot be saved. A dissension therefore arising, and Paul and Barnabas having no small dispute with them, it was resolved that Paul and Barnabas, and some others, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. They therefore, being brought forward on their way by the church, passed through Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they told them all that God had done by them. But there rose up, said they, some of the sect of the pharisees that believed, saying, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in like manner as they. And all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, relating what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me. ---Simeon hath related, how God at first condescended to take out of the Gentiles a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, "After this will I return, and rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will repair its ruins, and set it up again. That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the nations, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things." Now all his works are known unto God from the beginning of the world: wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses hath had from ancient times those that preach him in every city, and is still read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles, and elders, and the whole church, to send men chose from among themselves to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas sirnamed Barsabas, and Silas; leading men among the brethren: and they wrote by their hand, as follows, The apostles and elders and brethren here to the Gentile brethren which are in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved brethren Barnabas and Paul, who have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent with them Judas and Silas, to tell you the same things also by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the holy Spirit, and so to us, to lay no more burthen upon you than these necessary things. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from fornication: from which ye will do well to keep yourselves. Farewel.

But Jesus, who well knew their thoughts, said to them, Every kingdom divided against itself becomes desolate; and no city, or family, divided against itself can stand: Verse Concepts

But He who well knew their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself becomes desolate, and a house against a house falleth: if Satan also be divided against himself, Verse Concepts

Verse Concepts

But Jesus knew their malice, and said, Why do ye tempt me, ye hypocrites? Verse Concepts

And Jesus, who knew immediately in his spirit that they were thus reasoning within themselves, said unto them, Why do ye dispute these things in your hearts? Verse Concepts

But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man that had the withered hand, Rise, and stand in the midst: and he rose up and stood forth. Verse Concepts

And He said unto them, Ye justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Verse Concepts

for He knew all men, and He had no need that any should testify concerning man; for He knew what was in man. Verse Concepts

And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: Verse Concepts

So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: read more.
and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in like manner as they. And all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, relating what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me. ---Simeon hath related, how God at first condescended to take out of the Gentiles a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, "After this will I return, and rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will repair its ruins, and set it up again. That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the nations, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things." Now all his works are known unto God from the beginning of the world: wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses hath had from ancient times those that preach him in every city, and is still read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles, and elders, and the whole church, to send men chose from among themselves to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas sirnamed Barsabas, and Silas; leading men among the brethren: and they wrote by their hand, as follows, The apostles and elders and brethren here to the Gentile brethren which are in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved brethren Barnabas and Paul, who have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent with them Judas and Silas, to tell you the same things also by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the holy Spirit, and so to us, to lay no more burthen upon you than these necessary things. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from fornication: from which ye will do well to keep yourselves. Farewel.

And each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren who dwelt in Judea. Which they also did, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Now some that came down from Judea, taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised according to the law of Moses, ye cannot be saved. A dissension therefore arising, and Paul and Barnabas having no small dispute with them, it was resolved that Paul and Barnabas, and some others, should go up to the apostles and elders at Jerusalem about this question. They therefore, being brought forward on their way by the church, passed through Phenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the brethren. read more.
And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they told them all that God had done by them. But there rose up, said they, some of the sect of the pharisees that believed, saying, that it was necessary to circumcise them, and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in like manner as they. And all the multitude kept silence, and gave attention to Barnabas and Paul, relating what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had done speaking, James rose up and said, Brethren, hearken unto me. ---Simeon hath related, how God at first condescended to take out of the Gentiles a people to his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, "After this will I return, and rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will repair its ruins, and set it up again. That the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the nations, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things." Now all his works are known unto God from the beginning of the world: wherefore my advice is, not to trouble those who from among the Gentiles are converted to God; but to write to them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses hath had from ancient times those that preach him in every city, and is still read in the synagogues every sabbath-day. Then it seemed good to the apostles, and elders, and the whole church, to send men chose from among themselves to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas sirnamed Barsabas, and Silas; leading men among the brethren: and they wrote by their hand, as follows, The apostles and elders and brethren here to the Gentile brethren which are in Antioch, and Syria, and Cilicia, send greeting. Forasmuch as we have heard, that some who went out from us, have troubled you by their discourses, unsettling your minds, saying, ye must be circumcised, and keep the law; to whom we gave no such commission; it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you, with our beloved brethren Barnabas and Paul, who have exposed their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent with them Judas and Silas, to tell you the same things also by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the holy Spirit, and so to us, to lay no more burthen upon you than these necessary things. That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from fornication: from which ye will do well to keep yourselves. Farewel. Being thus dispatched they came to Antioch, and when they had assembled the brethren, they delivered the epistle. And when they had read it, they rejoiced at the consolation it brought. And Judas and Silas being prophets also themselves, exhorted and established: the brethren by many discourses. And after some time, they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to the apostles. But it seemed good to Silas to continue there: Paul also and Barnabas stayed at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others likewise, the word of the Lord.

And when they had appointed them elders in every church, praying and fasting, they recommended them to the Lord, in whom they had believed. Verse Concepts

Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Verse Concepts

And as they passed through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees that had been made by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. And so the churches were established in the faith, and increased in number daily.

But he sent from Miletus to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. Verse Concepts

Take heed therefore to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the holy Spirit hath appointed you bishops, to feed the church of God, which He purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And from among yourselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. read more.
Watch therefore, remembering that for the space of three years I ceased not by night and by day to warn every one with tears. And now, my brethren, I recommend you to God, and to the word of his grace: who is able to edify you, and to give you an inheritance among all that are sanctified.

And the next day Paul went in with us to James: and all the elders were present. Verse Concepts

Let the elders, who preside well, be counted worthy of double honor, especially those that labour in preaching and teaching. For the scripture saith, "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn:" and, "The workman is worthy of his hire." Receive not an accusation against an elder, unless from two or three witnesses.

For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou mightest set in order what remained, and ordain elders in every city as I directed thee: to wit, if any one be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of debauchery, or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless as the steward of God, not self-willed, not passionate, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of sordid gain: read more.
but hospitable, benevolent, sober, just, holy, temperate; holding fast the faithful word, according as he hath been taught, that he may be able both to instruct in sound doctrine, and to convince gainsayers.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ: and there is neither Jew nor Greek, those is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

For there is no difference of Jew and Greek: for He being Lord of all is bountiful to all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

But now, without the law, righteousness before God is manifested, being attested by the law and the prophets; and this righteousness of God is by faith in Jesus Christ unto all and upon all believers; for there is no difference;

So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: read more.
and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith.

For as the body is one, and hath many members; but all the parts of this one body, though many, are but one body: so also is the mystical body of Christ; for by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, (whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free) and are all made to drink into one Spirit:

But now put away all these also, wrath, animosity, malice, calumny, and filthy discourse out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his evil practices; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of Him that created him. read more.
Wherein there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free: but Christ is all and in all.

So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter. And after much debate, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago, God, who was among us, chose that the Gentiles should hear by my mouth the word of the gospel, and believe. And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: read more.
and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do ye tempt God, in imposing a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, in like manner as they.

And so disagreeing one with another they separated, when Paul had said one word, to wit, that the holy Spirit spake rightly by Esaias the prophet to our fathers, saying, Go to this people and say, Ye shall hear by the hearing of the ear, and not understand; and in seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is stupified, and they hear heavily with their ears, and have closed their eyes; least they should see at all with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. read more.
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it.

What shall we say then? that the Gentiles, who sought not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; but Israel, who followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness: why? because they sought it not by faith, but by the works of the law, for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone; read more.
as it is written, "Behold I lay in Sion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence:" and again, "Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed."

I say then, Hath God cast off his people? God forbid! for I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast off his people, whom He foreknew. Do ye not know what the scripture saith of Elias? how he complains to God against Israel, saying, "Lord, they have slain thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life." read more.
But what saith the oracle of God to him? "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal." And so in the present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, it is no more of works: for then grace is no longer grace. But if of works, it is no more grace: for then work is no longer work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he sought: but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded, (according as it is written, God hath given them a spirit of slumber, that their eyes could not see and their ears could not hear,) even unto this day. And David saith, Let their table become a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling-block, and a recompence unto them. Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and always bow down their back. Say I then, Have they stumbled, that they should fall irrecoverably? God forbid! but this I say, that by their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles to excite them to emulation. Now if their fall be the riches of the world, and their diminution be the riches of the Gentiles, how much more will their fulness be? For I speak to you Gentiles: inasmuch indeed as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I extol my office, that if possible I may excite to emulation my brethren according to the flesh, and may save some of them: for if the rejecting of them be the reconciling of the world, what will the receiving them again be but life from the dead? Now if the first-fruits be holy, so is the whole heap: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou a wild-olive wert grafted in among them, and art made a partaker together with them of the root and fatness of the olive; boast not against the branches: and if thou boastest, remember thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Wilt thou say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in? Well; they were broken off for their infidelity, and thou standest by faith: therefore be not high-minded but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches, neither would He spare thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: towards them that fell, severity; but towards thee, goodness; if thou continue in his goodness: for else thou also shalt be cut off. And they, if they do not continue in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able again to graft them in. For if thou wert cut out of the wild olive, which was natural to thee, and contrary to nature were grafted into a good olive; how much more shall these who are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive-tree? For I would not have you, brethren, to be ignorant of this mystery, (least ye should be wise in your own eyes) that blindness in part is befallen Israel, till the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written, "The deliverer shall come out of Sion, and shall turn away impiety from Jacob: and this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins." As to the gospel indeed they are enemies on your account, but as to the election they are beloved on account of the fathers. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye were heretofore disobedient to God, but have now obtained mercy in their disobedience: so these also in your mercy have now been disobedient, that they themselves might be the objects of mercy. For God hath included them all in the charge of disobedience, that He might have mercy upon all.

As Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness: so ye know that they who believe, are the children of Abraham. And the scripture foreseeing that God would justify the gentiles through faith, preached the gospel to Abraham long ago, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed." read more.
So then they that believe, are blessed with believing Abraham. For as many as are of the works of the law, are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed be every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them. And that by the law no one is justified before God is evident; for it is written "The just shall live by faith:" now the law is not of faith, but saith, "The man that doth them, shall live in them." Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us: for it is written, "Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles by Christ Jesus; that we through faith might receive the promise of the Spirit.

While Peter was yet speaking these words, the holy Spirit fell upon all them that heard the word. Verse Concepts

And God who knoweth the heart, bare witness to them, giving them the holy Spirit, as He had done also to us: Verse Concepts

As therefore God gave to them the like gift that He did to us, upon our believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I should be able to withstand God? Verse Concepts