The Jerusalem Council

15 Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers: “If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 [fn]Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had a great dissension and debate with them, the brothers appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among the believers to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to discuss this issue. 3 After being sent on their way by the church, they passed through [fn]Phoenicia and Samaria and brought great joy to all the brothers when they described in detail the conversion of the Gentiles. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done through [fn]them. 5 But some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise the Gentiles and command them to keep the law of Moses.”

6 So the apostles and the elders gathered together to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among [fn]us, that by the words of my mouth the Gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord [fn]Jesus in the same way they are.”

12 Then the entire assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul tell of all the signs and wonders God had performed through them among the Gentiles. 13 When they had finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, just as it is written:

16 ‘After this I will return

and rebuild the tabernacle of David that has fallen;

I will rebuild its ruins

and erect it again,

17 so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

even all the Gentiles who are called by my name,

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

18 All God's works are known to him from long ago. 19 Therefore my judgment is that we not create difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but that we write to them, telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols, from fornication, from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from generations of old, Moses has had those who preach him in every city, because he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”