11 Bible Verses about Council of Jerusalem

Some men came down from Judea to teach the brothers. They said: You cannot be saved unless you become circumcised according to the custom of Moses.

Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say: To Abraham his faith was counted for righteousness.

Behold, I Paul say to you, that, if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision. He is under obligation to obey the whole Law.

Paul and Barnabas had an intense (harsh) dispute and debate with them. They concluded that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question. The congregation sent them on their way. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations. They brought great joy to all the brothers. Then they went to Jerusalem where the apostles and elders and congregation greeted them. They declared all the things that God had done for them.read more.
The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are. The crowd kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They declared the miracles and wonders God performed through them among the people of the nations.

Therefore it is my decision not to trouble those of the nations who have turned to God. We should write to them that they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from things strangled and from blood. Moses has been preached in the synagogues from old times until now every Sabbath day.

The words of the prophets agree to this for it is written: I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12) That the rest of mankind might seek after Jehovah, and all the nations, upon whom my name is called, Jehovah said, who is doing these things. (Amos 9:12)read more.
Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

In that day I will raise up the fallen tabernacle of David and close up the breaches. I will raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old. They may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations that are called by my name, said Jehovah.

They wrote letters as follows: The apostles, elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Since we have heard, that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with speeches, subverting you, saying: You must be circumcised, and keep the law. We gave no such commandment! It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.read more.
These men have endangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things in person. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell (best wishes).

They went through the towns and delivered to the believers the rules decided upon by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. They told them to obey those rules.

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch and when they had gathered the crowd together, they delivered the letter. When they read it they rejoiced over the encouragement.

The congregations were made stronger in the faith and grew in numbers every day.