Dispute in Antioch

15 Some men^(A) came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised^(B) according to the custom prescribed by Moses,^(C) you cannot be saved!” ² But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.^{(D) 3} When they had been sent on their way by the church,^(E) they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, explaining in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they created great joy among all the brothers.

⁴ 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.^{(F) 5} 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!”

The Jerusalem Council

⁶ Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter. ⁷ 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,^[a] that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. ⁸ And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving^[b] the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.^{(G) 9} He made no distinction between us and them,^(H) cleansing their hearts by faith.^{(I) 10} Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks^(J) that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? ¹¹ On the contrary, we believe we are saved through the grace^(K) of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”

¹² 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.^{(L) 13} After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers, listen to me! ¹⁴ Simeon^[c] has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.^{(M) 15} And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

¹⁹ Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, ²⁰ but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality,^(O) from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. ²¹ For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”^(P)

The Letter to the Gentile Believers

²² Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas,^(Q) both leading men among the brothers. ²³ They wrote this letter to be delivered by them:^[f]

The Outcome of the Jerusalem Letter

³⁰ Then, being sent off, they went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. ³¹ When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. ³² Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and strengthened them with a long message.^{(Y) 33} After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace^(Z) by the brothers to those who had sent them.^{[i][j] 35} But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the message of the Lord.^(AA)

Paul and Barnabas Part Company

³⁶ After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in every town^(AB) where we have preached the message of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark.^{[k] 38} 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. ³⁹ There was such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark^(AC) with him and sailed off to Cyprus. ⁴⁰ Then Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers.^{(AD) 41} He traveled through Syria^(AE) and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.