Thematic Bible




Acts 15:1 (show verse)

And there came down certain men from Judaea, and taught the brethren, Unless ye are circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Acts 15:2 (show verse)

But when Paul and Barnabas had had no small dissension and debate with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15:3 (show verse)

They therefore, having been sent forward by the church, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

Acts 15:4 (show verse)

And having come to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, and by the apostles and elders, and they related what great things God had wrought with them.

Acts 15:5 (show verse)

But there rose up certain believers of the sect of the Pharisees, saying, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Acts 15:6 (show verse)

And the apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter.

Acts 15:7 (show verse)

And after much debate, Peter rose up and said to them, Brethren, ye know that a long time ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the gentiles should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe.

Acts 15:8 (show verse)

And God, who knoweth the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, as he gave it to us;

Acts 15:9 (show verse)

and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith.

Acts 15:10 (show verse)

Now therefore why do ye provoke the anger of God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Acts 15:11 (show verse)

But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they.

Acts 15:12 (show verse)

And all the multitude became silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they related what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the gentiles by them.

Acts 15:13 (show verse)

And after they had done speaking, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken to me.

Acts 15:14 (show verse)

Simeon hath related how God first visited the gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Acts 15:15 (show verse)

And with this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written:

Acts 15:16 (show verse)

"After this I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which hath fallen; and I will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up;

Acts 15:17 (show verse)

that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, and all the gentiles, who have been called by my name, saith the Lord, who doeth these things,

Acts 15:18 (show verse)

which were known from the beginning."

Acts 15:19 (show verse)

Wherefore my judgment is, that we should not trouble those who from among the gentiles are turning to God;

Acts 15:20 (show verse)

but that we should write to them by letter to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from that which hath been strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:21 (show verse)

For Moses from the times of old hath had in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

Acts 15:22 (show verse)

Then it was decided by the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among themselves, and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

Acts 15:23 (show verse)

And they wrote by them, "The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from the gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting.

Acts 15:24 (show verse)

Whereas we have heard, that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no command;

Acts 15:25 (show verse)

it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to choose men and send them to you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Acts 15:26 (show verse)

men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:27 (show verse)

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who will themselves tell you the same things by word of mouth.

Acts 15:28 (show verse)

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us, to lay upon you no further burden except these necessary things:

Acts 15:29 (show verse)

to abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, ye will do well. Farewell."

Acts 15:30 (show verse)

They therefore being sent away came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

Acts 15:31 (show verse)

And when they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.

Acts 15:32 (show verse)

And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words and confirmed them.

Acts 15:33 (show verse)

And when they had remained some time, they were dismissed with peace from the brethren to those who sent them.

Acts 15:34 (show verse)

(...)

Acts 15:35 (show verse)

But Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and publishing, with many others also, the glad tidings of the word of the Lord.

Acts 15:36 (show verse)

And some days after, Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go again and visit the brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are.

Acts 15:37 (show verse)

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, called Mark.

Acts 15:38 (show verse)

But Paul did not think it proper to take with them a man who had left them in Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

Acts 15:39 (show verse)

And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted from each other, and Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

Acts 15:40 (show verse)

And Paul chose Silas and went forth, having been commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

Acts 15:41 (show verse)

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.