Acts 15

The Question of Circumcision and Salvation

1Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers and sisters, “Unless you are circumcised according to Moses’ custom, you cannot be saved.” 2Paul and Barnabas had no small disagreement and debate with them. So the church appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 3Sent on their way by the church, they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria describing in detail the turning of the Gentiles, and this brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters. 4When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything God had done with them. 5But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and commanded to keep the Law of Moses.”

Peter: God Made No Distinction

6The apostles and elders gathered to consider this matter. 7After much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers and sisters, you know that some time ago God chose among you that through my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the good news and trust. 8God, who knows the heart, testified for them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by trust. 10So why are you now testing God by placing a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11Instead, we trust that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.” 12The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

James: Do Not Trouble the Gentiles Turning to God

13After they finished speaking, James responded, “Brothers and sisters, listen to me. 14Simeon has explained how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for his name. 15The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: 16‘After these things I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
I will rebuild its ruins
and restore it, 17so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18known from long ago.’ 19Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21For from ancient generations Moses has had people proclaiming him in every city, since he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The Letter from Jerusalem

22Then the apostles and elders, together with the whole church, decided to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, leading men among the brothers. 23They sent this letter with them:
“The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings. 24We have heard that some people went out from us without our authorization and troubled you with their words, unsettling your lives. 25So we have come to agreement and decided to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things in person. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these necessary things: 29abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.”