耶路撒冷会议

15 有几个从犹太下来的人教导弟兄们说:“你们若不照着摩西的规条接受割礼,就不能得救。” 保罗和巴拿巴为这件事与他们激烈地辩论,最后大家决定派保罗、巴拿巴和几个当地的信徒上耶路撒冷去跟使徒和长老讨论这件事。

于是教会为他们送行。他们经过腓尼基和撒玛利亚,沿途报告外族人悔改信主的消息,弟兄姊妹都大受鼓舞。 他们到了耶路撒冷,受到教会、使徒和长老的接待,并详述了上帝借他们所做的一切事。 有几个信了主的法利赛人站起来说:“外族的信徒必须接受割礼,而且还要遵守摩西的律法。”

使徒和长老们聚集商议这个问题。 经过许多辩论之后,彼得站起来对大家说:“弟兄们,你们都知道,上帝早已在你们当中拣选我去向外族人传道,让他们也可以听到福音并信主。 洞悉人心的上帝把圣灵赐给他们,正如赐给我们一样,以表明祂也接纳外族人。 上帝对他们和我们一视同仁,祂因他们的信心而洁净了他们的心灵。 10 现在你们为什么要试探上帝,把我们祖先和我们不能负的重担强加在这些门徒身上? 11 我们相信,他们和我们一样都是靠主耶稣的恩典得救。”

12 众人都沉默不语,继续听巴拿巴和保罗叙述上帝借着他们在外族人中所行的神迹奇事。 13 他们报告完了,雅各站起来说:“弟兄们,请听我说。 14 刚才西门讲述了上帝当初如何眷顾外族人,从他们当中拣选人归在祂的名下。 15 这完全与众先知的话相符,正如圣经上说,

16 “‘此后,我要回来重建已倾覆的大卫王朝,
将它从废墟中重建、恢复,
17 好叫其余的百姓,
就是凡归在我名下的外族人都寻求主。’

这是上帝说的, 18 祂从亘古就显明了这事。

19 “所以,我认为不应该为难那些信上帝的外族人。 20 我们只须写信吩咐他们远避被偶像玷污之物,不可淫乱,不可吃血和勒死的牲畜。 21 因为自古以来,在各城都有人宣讲摩西的律法,每逢安息日,都有人在会堂里诵读。”

给外族信徒的信

22 最后,使徒、长老和全教会都决定从他们当中选派代表,随保罗和巴拿巴去安提阿。他们选了别号巴撒巴的犹大和西拉,这两位都是教会的领袖。 23 他们带去的书信这样说:“安提阿、叙利亚和基利迦的外族弟兄姊妹,你们的弟兄——众使徒和长老向你们问安!

24 “听说有几个人从我们这里去了你们那里,教导你们必须接受割礼并遵守摩西的律法[a]。他们的言论使你们大感困惑。其实我们从来没有授权他们这样做。 25 所以我们一致决定选派代表,随我们敬爱的巴拿巴和保罗去你们那里。 26 他们二人为我们主耶稣基督的缘故已将生死置之度外。 27 我们选派犹大和西拉两位代表跟他们一起去,向你们报告我们的决定。 28 因为圣灵和我们都认为不应把重担加在你们身上。但请务必注意以下几件事, 29 要远避祭拜偶像的事,不可吃血,不可吃勒死的牲畜,不可淫乱。你们一一遵守这些事就好了。祝平安!”

30 他们奉命下到安提阿,召集众人,交付书信。 31 众人读过这封信之后,都因信中劝勉的话而欢喜。 32 犹大和西拉也是先知,他们讲了许多勉励、坚立弟兄姊妹的话。 33 住了些日子后,安提阿的弟兄姊妹以平安的祝福为他们送行,让他们回耶路撒冷复命。 34 但西拉决定留在那里。[b] 35 保罗和巴拿巴则继续留在安提阿,与许多人一起教导、传扬上帝的道。

保罗与巴拿巴分手

36 过了一些日子,保罗对巴拿巴说:“我们回到曾传过福音的各城镇去探望弟兄姊妹吧,好知道他们的情况。” 37 巴拿巴想要带约翰·马可同去, 38 但保罗坚持不带他同行,因为他在旁非利亚离开了他们,没有和他们一起做工。

39 二人激烈地争执起来,僵持不下,只好分道扬镳。巴拿巴和约翰·马可一同乘船去塞浦路斯。 40 保罗则选了西拉同行,弟兄姊妹把他们交托在主的恩典中。 41 保罗走遍了叙利亚和基利迦,巩固当地的各教会。

Footnotes

  1. 15:24 有古卷无“教导你们必须接受割礼并遵守摩西的律法。”
  2. 15:34 有古卷无“但西拉决定留在那里”。

耶路撒冷的會議

15 有幾個人從猶太下來,教導弟兄們說:“你們若不照摩西的規例受割禮,就不能得救。” 保羅和巴拿巴,與他們大大地爭執辯論起來。大家就派保羅、巴拿巴和他們中間的幾個人,為這個問題上耶路撒冷去見使徒和長老。 於是教會給他們送行,他們就經過腓尼基、撒瑪利亞,述說外族人怎樣歸主的事,使弟兄們大大喜樂。 到了耶路撒冷,他們受到教會、使徒和長老的接待,就報告 神同他們一起所行的一切。 然而有幾個法利賽派的信徒站起來,說:“我們必須給外族人行割禮,吩咐他們遵守摩西的律法。”

使徒和長老聚集在一起,商議這件事。 經過了很多的辯論,彼得站起來對他們說:“弟兄們,你們知道,前些時候 神在你們中間揀選了我,使外族人從我的口中聽見福音的道,而且信了。 知道人心的 神也為他們作證─賜聖靈給他們,像給我們一樣; 而且他待他們和我們沒有分別,因為藉著信,他潔淨了他們的心。 10 現在你們為甚麼試探 神,把我們祖先和我們所不能負的軛,放在門徒的頸上呢? 11 我們相信,我們得救是藉著主耶穌的恩,和他們也是一樣。”

12 大家都靜默無聲,聽巴拿巴和保羅述說 神藉著他們在外族人中所行的神蹟奇事。 13 他們講完了,雅各說:“弟兄們,請聽我說! 14 剛才西門述說 神當初怎樣關懷外族人,從他們中間揀選了眾人,歸在自己的名下。 15 眾先知的話,也符合這個意思,正如經上所記:

16 ‘此後我要回來,

重建大衛倒塌了的帳幕,

重建它損壞之處,

把它重新豎立起來,

17 使餘下的人,

就是所有稱為我名下的外族人,都尋求主,

18 這是自古以來就顯明了這些事的主所說的。’

19 “所以我認為不可難為這些歸服 神的外族人, 20 只要寫信叫他們禁戒偶像的污穢、淫亂,勒死的牲畜和血。 21 因為自古以來,在各城裡都有人宣講摩西的書,每逢安息日,在各會堂裡都有人誦讀。”

會議的決定

22 當時,使徒、長老和全教會都認為好,就從他們中間選出人來,差他們和保羅、巴拿巴一同到安提阿去,所選的就是別號巴撒巴的猶大和西拉,他們是弟兄中的領袖。 23 於是寫信給他們帶去,信上說:“使徒和作長老的弟兄們,向安提阿、敘利亞、基利家的外族眾弟兄問安。 24 我們聽說有人從我們這裡出去,說了一些話攪擾你們,使你們心裡不安,其實我們並沒有吩咐他們。 25 因此,我們一致同意,選派一些人跟我們親愛的巴拿巴和保羅去見你們, 26 這兩個人為了我們主耶穌基督的名,曾經把性命置之度外。 27 我們派了猶大和西拉一同去,他們也會親口述說這些事。 28 聖靈和我們都同意,不把別的重擔加在你們身上,然而有幾件事是重要的, 29 就是禁戒祭過偶像的食物、血、勒死的牲畜和淫亂。這些事你們若能保守自己不作,那就好了。祝你們平安!”

30 他們受了差派,下安提阿去,集合了眾人,就把書信交上。 31 眾人讀了,因信上的勸勉,就感到欣慰。 32 猶大和西拉也是先知,說了許多話勸勉弟兄,堅固他們。 33 住了一段時間,弟兄們就給他們送行,祝一路平安;他們就回到差派他們的人那裡去。(有些抄本在此有第34節:“但西拉認為自己應當在那裡住下來,只有猶大回到耶路撒冷。”) 35 保羅和巴拿巴卻住在安提阿,跟許多別的人一同教導,傳講主的道。

第二次宣教旅程

36 過了一些時候,保羅對巴拿巴說:“我們要回到我們傳過主道的各城,探望弟兄們,好知道他們的情形怎麼樣。” 37 巴拿巴有意要帶別號馬可的約翰一同去, 38 但保羅認為不應帶他去,因為他從前在旁非利亞離開過他們,不跟他們一起去作工。 39 他們各持己見,以致彼此分手。巴拿巴帶著馬可,坐船到塞浦路斯去; 40 保羅卻選了西拉,眾弟兄把他交託在主的恩典中之後,他就出發了。 41 他走遍了敘利亞、基利家,堅固眾教會。

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people(A) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:(B) “Unless you are circumcised,(C) according to the custom taught by Moses,(D) you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem(E) to see the apostles and elders(F) about this question. The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia(G) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.(H) This news made all the believers very glad. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.(I)

Then some of the believers who belonged to the party(J) of the Pharisees(K) stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”(L)

The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.(M) God, who knows the heart,(N) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,(O) just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them,(P) for he purified their hearts by faith.(Q) 10 Now then, why do you try to test God(R) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke(S) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace(T) of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders(U) God had done among the Gentiles through them.(V) 13 When they finished, James(W) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.(X) 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return
    and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
    and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
    even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[b](Y)
18     things known from long ago.[c](Z)

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,(AA) from sexual immorality,(AB) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(AC) 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(AD)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders,(AE) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(AF) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(AG) men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch,(AH) Syria(AI) and Cilicia:(AJ)

Greetings.(AK)

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(AL) 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives(AM) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(AN) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(AO) and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.(AP) You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas,(AQ) who themselves were prophets,(AR) said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace(AS) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [d] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(AT) the word of the Lord.(AU)

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns(AV) where we preached the word of the Lord(AW) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(AX) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(AY) in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas(AZ) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(BA) 41 He went through Syria(BB) and Cilicia,(BC) strengthening the churches.(BD)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:14 Greek Simeon, a variant of Simon; that is, Peter
  2. Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  3. Acts 15:18 Some manuscripts things’— / 18 the Lord’s work is known to him from long ago
  4. Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.

15 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.

37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Conflict over Circumcision

15 And (A)certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, (B)“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that (C)Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

So, (D)being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, (E)describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

The Jerusalem Council

Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: (F)“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, (G)who knows the heart, [a]acknowledged them by (H)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, (I)and made no distinction between us and them, (J)purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God (K)by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But (L)we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus [b]Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had (M)worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had [c]become silent, (N)James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 (O)Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After(P) this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the [d]Lord who does all these things.’

18 [e]“Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore (Q)I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who (R)are turning to God, 20 but that we (S)write to them to abstain (T)from things polluted by idols, (U)from [f]sexual immorality, (V)from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, (W)being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

The Jerusalem Decree

22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named (X)Barsabas,[g] and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 They wrote this letter by them:

The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,

To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

24 Since we have heard that (Y)some who went out from us have troubled you with words, (Z)unsettling your souls, [h]saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one [i]accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 (AA)men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 (AB)that you abstain from things offered to idols, (AC)from blood, from things strangled, and from (AD)sexual[j] immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

Farewell.

Continuing Ministry in Syria

30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being (AE)prophets also, (AF)exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were (AG)sent back with greetings from the brethren to [k]the apostles.

34 [l]However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 (AH)Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Division over John Mark

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas [m]was determined to take with them (AI)John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them (AJ)the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to (AK)Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, (AL)being [n]commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, (AM)strengthening the churches.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:8 bore witness to
  2. Acts 15:11 NU, M omit Christ
  3. Acts 15:13 stopped speaking
  4. Acts 15:17 NU Lord, who makes these things
  5. Acts 15:18 NU (continuing v. 17) known from eternity (of old).
  6. Acts 15:20 Or fornication
  7. Acts 15:22 NU, M Barsabbas
  8. Acts 15:24 NU omits saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”
  9. Acts 15:25 purpose or mind
  10. Acts 15:29 Or fornication
  11. Acts 15:33 NU those who had sent them
  12. Acts 15:34 NU, M omit v. 34.
  13. Acts 15:37 resolved
  14. Acts 15:40 committed