Acts 15 : 1 (NCV)
Then some people came to Antioch from Judea and began teaching the non-Jewish believers: "You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised as Moses taught us."
Acts 15 : 2 (NCV)
Paul and Barnabas were against this teaching and argued with them about it. So the church decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and some others to Jerusalem where they could talk more about this with the apostles and elders.
Acts 15 : 3 (NCV)
The church helped them leave on the trip, and they went through the countries of Phoenicia and Samaria, telling all about how those who were not Jewish had turned to God. This made all the believers very happy.
Acts 15 : 4 (NCV)
When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the apostles, the elders, and the church. Paul, Barnabas, and the others told about everything God had done with them.
Acts 15 : 5 (NCV)
But some of the believers who belonged to the Pharisee group came forward and said, "The non-Jewish believers must be circumcised. They must be told to obey the law of Moses."
Acts 15 : 6 (NCV)
The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this problem.
Acts 15 : 7 (NCV)
After a long debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to those who are not Jewish. They heard the Good News from me, and they believed.
Acts 15 : 8 (NCV)
God, who knows the thoughts of everyone, accepted them. He showed this to us by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
Acts 15 : 9 (NCV)
To God, those people are not different from us. When they believed, he made their hearts pure.
Acts 15 : 10 (NCV)
So now why are you testing God by putting a heavy load around the necks of the non-Jewish believers? It is a load that neither we nor our ancestors were able to carry.
Acts 15 : 11 (NCV)
But we believe that we and they too will be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus."
Acts 15 : 12 (NCV)
Then the whole group became quiet. They listened to Paul and Barnabas tell about all the miracles and signs that God did through them among the non-Jewish people.
Acts 15 : 13 (NCV)
After they finished speaking, James said, "Brothers, listen to me.
Acts 15 : 14 (NCV)
Simon has told us how God showed his love for the non-Jewish people. For the first time he is accepting from among them a people to be his own.
Acts 15 : 15 (NCV)
The words of the prophets agree with this too:
Acts 15 : 16 (NCV)
'After these things I will return. The kingdom of David is like a fallen tent. But I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up.
Acts 15 : 17 (NCV)
Then those people who are left alive may ask the Lord for help, and the other nations that belong to me, says the Lord, who will make it happen.
Acts 15 : 18 (NCV)
And these things have been known for a long time.'
Acts 15 : 19 (NCV)
"So I think we should not bother the non-Jewish people who are turning to God.
Acts 15 : 20 (NCV)
Instead, we should write a letter to them telling them these things: Stay away from food that has been offered to idols (which makes it unclean), any kind of sexual sin, eating animals that have been strangled, and blood.
Acts 15 : 21 (NCV)
They should do these things, because for a long time in every city the law of Moses has been taught. And it is still read in the synagogue every Sabbath day."
Acts 15 : 22 (NCV)
The apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to send some of their men with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas, who were respected by the believers.
Acts 15 : 23 (NCV)
They sent the following letter with them: From the apostles and elders, your brothers. To all the non-Jewish believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings!
Acts 15 : 24 (NCV)
We have heard that some of our group have come to you and said things that trouble and upset you. But we did not tell them to do this.
Acts 15 : 25 (NCV)
We have all agreed to choose some messengers and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul --
Acts 15 : 26 (NCV)
people who have given their lives to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 15 : 27 (NCV)
So we are sending Judas and Silas, who will tell you the same things.
Acts 15 : 28 (NCV)
It has pleased the Holy Spirit that you should not have a heavy load to carry, and we agree. You need to do only these things:
Acts 15 : 29 (NCV)
Stay away from any food that has been offered to idols, eating any animals that have been strangled, and blood, and any kind of sexual sin. If you stay away from these things, you will do well. Good-bye.
Acts 15 : 30 (NCV)
So they left Jerusalem and went to Antioch where they gathered the church and gave them the letter.
Acts 15 : 31 (NCV)
When they read it, they were very happy because of the encouraging message.
Acts 15 : 32 (NCV)
Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said many things to encourage the believers and make them stronger.
Acts 15 : 33 (NCV)
After some time Judas and Silas were sent off in peace by the believers, and they went back to those who had sent them.
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