MSB ACTs Chapter 15

The Dispute over Circumcision

Then some men came down from Judea [and] were teaching the brothers“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, vvv you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore after[fn] engaging vvv [these men] vvv in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other [ believers ] to go up to Jerusalem to [see] the apostles and elders about this question.

3 

Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia[fn] and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. 4 [On] their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, [to whom] they reported all that God had done through them.[fn]

5 

The Council at Jerusalem

(Amos 9:11–15, Galatians 2:1–10)

But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up [and] declared“[The Gentiles] must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” 6 [So] the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.

7 

After much debate,[fn] Peter got up [and] said to them, vvv“Brothers, you know that in [the] early days God made a choice among us[fn] [that] the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as [He did] to us. 9 vvv He made no distinction between us and them, [for] He cleansed their hearts by faith.

10 

Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe [it is] through the grace of [the] Lord Jesus[fn] [that] we are saved, vvv vvv just as they [are].”

12 

The whole assembly fell silent [as they] listened to Barnabas and Paul describing [the] signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 When they had finished speaking, James declared“vvv Brothers, listen to me! 14 Simon[fn] has told us how God first visited [the Gentiles] to take from [them] a people [to be] His [own]. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

16 

‘After [this] I will return and rebuild

the fallen tent of David.

Its ruins I will rebuild,

and I will restore it

17 

so that the remnant of men vvv may seek the Lord,

and all the Gentiles who are called by My name

says [the] Lord who does all these things.’[fn]

18 

Known for ages to God are all His works.[fn]

19 

[It is] my judgment, therefore, vvv that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles [who] are turning to God. 20 Instead, we should write [ and tell] them to abstain from [ food ] polluted by idols, [from] sexual immorality, [from] the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. 21 For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times [and] is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

22 

The Letter to the Gentile Believers

Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. [They chose] Judas called Barsabbas[fn] and Silas, [two] leaders among the brothers, 23 [and sent them with] vvv vvv vvv this letter:

The apostles, elders, and brothers,[fn]

To the brothers among [the] Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 

It has come to our attention that some went out from us vvv vvv without our authorization [and] unsettled you, troubling your minds vvv by saying [that you must] be circumcised and keep the law.[fn] 25 [So] we all agreed to send chosen men[fn] to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to tell you vvv [in person] the same things [we are writing].

28 

It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not vvv to burden you [with anything] beyond these essential requirements: 29 [You must] abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

30 

The Believers at Antioch Rejoice

So [the men] were sent off [and] went[fn] to Antioch, [where] they assembled the congregation [and] delivered the letter. 31 [When] [the people] read [it], they rejoiced at [its] encouraging message.

32 

Judas and Silas, [who] themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. 33 After spending some time [there], they were sent off by the brothers in peace to [return to] the apostles.[fn] 34  35 But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.

36 

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey Begins

(Acts 13:1–3, Acts 18:23–28)

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, Let us go back [and] visit our brothers[fn] in every town vvv where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, [ to see ] how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John called[fn] Mark. 38 But Paul thought it best not to take him, [because] he had deserted them in Pamphylia and vvv had not accompanied them in the work.

39 

vvv Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted vvv company. Barnabas took Mark [and] sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas [and] left, commended by the brothers to the grace vvv of God.[fn] 41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.