Thematic Bible




Acts 15:1 (show verse)

But certain individuals came down from Jerusalem and taught the brothers that "unless you get circumcised after the custom of Moses you cannot be saved."

Acts 15:2 (show verse)

As a sharp dispute and controversy sprang up between them and Paul and Barnabas, it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas, along with some others of their number, should go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem about this question.

Acts 15:3 (show verse)

The church sped them on their journey, and they passed through both Phoenicia and Syria informing the brothers, to the great joy of all, that the Gentiles were turning to God.

Acts 15:4 (show verse)

On arriving at Jerusalem they were received by the church, the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported how God had been with them and what he had done.

Acts 15:5 (show verse)

But some of the believers who belonged to the Pharisaic party got up and said, "Gentiles must be circumcised and told to observe the law of Moses."

Acts 15:6 (show verse)

The apostles and the presbyters met to investigate this question,

Acts 15:7 (show verse)

and a keen controversy sprang up; but Peter rose and said to them, "Brothers, you are well aware that from the earliest days God chose that of you all I should be the one by whom the Gentiles were to hear the word of the gospel and believe it.

Acts 15:8 (show verse)

The God who reads the hearts of all attested this by giving them the holy Spirit just as he gave it to us;

Acts 15:9 (show verse)

in cleansing their hearts by faith he made not the slightest distinction between us and them.

Acts 15:10 (show verse)

Well now, why are you trying to impose a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we ourselves could bear?

Acts 15:11 (show verse)

No, it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we believe and are saved, in the same way as they are."

Acts 15:12 (show verse)

So the whole meeting was quieted and listened to Barnabas and Paul recounting the signs and wonders God had performed by them among the Gentiles.

Acts 15:13 (show verse)

When they had finished speaking, James spoke. "Brothers," he said, "listen to me.

Acts 15:14 (show verse)

Symeon has explained how it was God's original concern to secure a People from among the Gentiles to bear his Name.

Acts 15:15 (show verse)

This agrees with the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Acts 15:16 (show verse)

After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent, its ruins I will rebuild and erect it anew,

Acts 15:17 (show verse)

that the rest of men may seek for the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by my name, saith the Lord,

Acts 15:18 (show verse)

who makes this known from of old.

Acts 15:19 (show verse)

Hence, in my opinion, we ought not to put fresh difficulties in the way of those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles,

Acts 15:20 (show verse)

but write them injunctions to abstain from whatever is contaminated by idols, from sexual vice, from the flesh of animals that have been strangled, and from tasting blood;

Acts 15:21 (show verse)

for Moses has had his preachers from the earliest ages in every town, where he is read aloud in the synagogues every sabbath."

Acts 15:22 (show verse)

Then the apostles and the presbyters, together with the whole church, decided to select some of their number and send them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. The men selected were Judas (called Bar-Sabbas) and Silas, prominent members of the brotherhood.

Acts 15:23 (show verse)

They conveyed the following letter. "The apostles and the presbyters of the brotherhood to the brothers who belong to the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: greeting.

Acts 15:24 (show verse)

Having learned that some of our number, quite unauthorized by us, have unsettled you with their teaching and upset your souls,

Acts 15:25 (show verse)

we have decided unanimously to select some of our number and send them to you along with our beloved Paul and Barnabas

Acts 15:26 (show verse)

who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:27 (show verse)

We therefore send Judas and Silas with the following message, which they will also give to you orally.

Acts 15:28 (show verse)

The holy Spirit and we have decided not to impose any extra burden on you, apart from these essential requirements:

Acts 15:29 (show verse)

abstain from food that has been offered to idols, from tasting blood, from the flesh of animals that have been strangled, and from sexual vice. Keep clear of all this and you will prosper. Goodbye."

Acts 15:30 (show verse)

When the messengers were despatched, they went down to Antioch and after gathering the whole body they handed them the letter.

Acts 15:31 (show verse)

On reading it the people rejoiced at the encouragement it brought;

Acts 15:32 (show verse)

and as Judas and Silas were themselves prophets, they encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many a counsel.

Acts 15:33 (show verse)

Then after some time had passed the brothers let them go with a greeting of peace to those who had sent them.

Acts 15:34 (show verse)

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Acts 15:35 (show verse)

Paul and Barnabas, however, stayed on in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord along with a number of others.

Acts 15:36 (show verse)

Some days later, Paul said to Barnabas, "Come and let us go back to visit the brothers in every town where we have proclaimed the word of the Lord. Let us see how they are doing."

Acts 15:37 (show verse)

But while Barnabas wanted to take John (who was called Mark) along with them,

Acts 15:38 (show verse)

Paul held they should not take a man with them who had deserted them in Pamphylia, instead of accompanying them on active service.

Acts 15:39 (show verse)

So in irritation they parted company, Barnabas taking Mark with him and sailing for Cyprus,

Acts 15:40 (show verse)

while Paul selected Silas and went off, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 15:41 (show verse)

He made his way through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.