Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect

Acts 15

The Question of Circumcision and Salvation

Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers and sisters, “Unless you are circumcised according to Moses’ custom, you cannot be saved.” Paul 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. Sent 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. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything God had done with them. But 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

The apostles and elders gathered to consider this matter. After 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. God, who knows the heart, testified for them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by trust. So 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? Instead, we trust that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.” The 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

After they finished speaking, James responded, “Brothers and sisters, listen to me. Simeon has explained how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written: ‘After these things I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
I will rebuild its ruins
and restore it, so 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 known from long ago.’ Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God, but should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood. For 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

Then 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. They sent this letter with them:
“The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings. We have heard that some people went out from us without our authorization and troubled you with their words, unsettling your lives. So we have come to agreement and decided to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things in person. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these necessary things: abstain 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.”

Antioch Receives the Decision with Joy

When they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, gathered the whole community, and delivered the letter. When the people read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers and sisters with many words. After they had spent some time there, the brothers and sisters sent them away in peace to those who had sent them. But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and announcing the good news of the Lord’s word along with many others.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city where we proclaimed the Lord’s word and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John called Mark along with them. But Paul did not think it wise to take the man who had left them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. Their disagreement became so sharp that they separated from one another. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers and sisters to the Lord’s grace. He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.