Acts 15 : 1 (HCSB)
Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved!"
Acts 15 : 2 (HCSB)
But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, they arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.
Acts 15 : 3 (HCSB)
When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, explaining in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they created great joy among all the brothers.
Acts 15 : 4 (HCSB)
When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.
Acts 15 : 5 (HCSB)
But some of the believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses!"
Acts 15 : 6 (HCSB)
Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter.
Acts 15 : 7 (HCSB)
After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: "Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe.
Acts 15 : 8 (HCSB)
And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.
Acts 15 : 9 (HCSB)
He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
Acts 15 : 10 (HCSB)
Why, then, are you now testing God by putting on the disciples' necks a yoke that neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?
Acts 15 : 11 (HCSB)
On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are."
Acts 15 : 12 (HCSB)
Then the whole assembly fell silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Acts 15 : 13 (HCSB)
After they stopped speaking, James responded: "Brothers, listen to me!
Acts 15 : 14 (HCSB)
Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.
Acts 15 : 15 (HCSB)
And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
Acts 15 : 16 (HCSB)
After these things I will return and will rebuild David's tent, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins and will set it up again,
Acts 15 : 17 (HCSB)
so that those who are left of mankind may seek the Lord-- even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things,
Acts 15 : 18 (HCSB)
which have been known from long ago.
Acts 15 : 19 (HCSB)
Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those who turn to God from among the Gentiles,
Acts 15 : 20 (HCSB)
but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.
Acts 15 : 21 (HCSB)
For since ancient times, Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, and he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath day."
Acts 15 : 22 (HCSB)
Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.
Acts 15 : 23 (HCSB)
They wrote this letter to be delivered by them: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers from among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
Acts 15 : 24 (HCSB)
Because we have heard that some to whom we gave no authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,
Acts 15 : 25 (HCSB)
we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Acts 15 : 26 (HCSB)
who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 15 : 27 (HCSB)
Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth.
Acts 15 : 28 (HCSB)
For it was the Holy Spirit's decision-- and ours-- to put no greater burden on you than these necessary things:
Acts 15 : 29 (HCSB)
that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.
Acts 15 : 30 (HCSB)
Then, being sent off, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter.
Acts 15 : 31 (HCSB)
When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
Acts 15 : 32 (HCSB)
Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and strengthened them with a long message.
Acts 15 : 33 (HCSB)
After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.
Acts 15 : 35 (HCSB)
But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the message of the Lord.
Acts 15 : 36 (HCSB)
After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we have preached the message of the Lord, and see how they're doing."
Acts 15 : 37 (HCSB)
Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark.
Acts 15 : 38 (HCSB)
But Paul did not think it appropriate to take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.
Acts 15 : 39 (HCSB)
There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus.
Acts 15 : 40 (HCSB)
Then Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers.
Acts 15 : 41 (HCSB)
He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
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