在安提阿爭辯

15 有一些人從猶太下來,教導弟兄們說:「你們如果不按摩西的規矩受割禮,就不能得救。」 保羅巴拿巴與他們發生了不小的爭執和辯論,他們就指定保羅巴拿巴和其中的另一些人為這爭議的問題,上耶路撒冷到使徒們和長老們那裡去。 於是教會送他們上路;他們就走遍腓尼基撒馬利亞地區,詳細說明外邦人悔改的事,給所有弟兄們帶來了極大的喜樂。

來到耶路撒冷,他們受到教會、使徒們和長老們的歡迎,就向大家傳講了神與他們一起做的事。 法利賽教派中的一些信徒站起來,說:「必須給外邦人行割禮,並吩咐他們遵守摩西的律法。」

耶路撒冷的會議

使徒們和長老們就聚集探討這件事。 經過了許多辯論,彼得站起來對他們說:「各位弟兄,你們知道前些時候神在你們[a]中間施行揀選,要外邦人藉著我的口聽到福音之道,得以相信。 於是那洞察人心的神,賜聖靈給他們做了見證,就像為我們做的那樣; 又藉著信潔淨了他們的心,在我們和他們之間不做什麼區別。 10 既然如此,你們現在為什麼試探神,把我們的祖先和我們都擔當不了的軛,放在那些門徒的脖子上呢? 11 相反,我們相信:我們得救是藉著主耶穌[b]的恩典,外邦人也是一樣。」

12 這時,全體會眾都靜默無聲,聽巴拿巴保羅述說神藉著他們在外邦人中所行的神蹟和奇事。 13 他們講完以後,雅各就回應說:「各位弟兄,請聽我說。 14 西門已經述說了神當初怎樣臨到[c]外邦人,從他們中間選出子民,歸入自己的名。 15 連先知們的話也與此相符,正如經上所記:

16 『此後我將要回來,
重建大衛倒塌的居所[d]
我要重建它的破損之處,把它重新豎立起來。
17 這樣,其餘的人,
就是所有被稱為我名下的外邦人,
都會尋求主。
18 這是自古以來,讓人知道這些事的主說的。』[e]

19 因此,我判定不可為難那些歸向神的外邦人, 20 不過要寫信給他們:要遠避偶像的汙穢,遠避淫亂、勒死的動物和血。 21 因為自古以來,在各城裡都有人宣講摩西,每逢安息日在各會堂裡都有人誦讀他的書[f]。」

致外邦信徒的書信

22 當時,使徒們、長老們和全教會都認為應該從他們當中揀選幾個人,派他們與保羅巴拿巴一起到安提阿去。被選的是[g]那稱為巴撒巴猶大賽拉斯,這兩個人在弟兄中是領頭的。 23 他們帶去的信這樣寫著:

「做使徒的和年長的弟兄們,
問候安提阿敘利亞省和奇里乞亞省的外邦弟兄們。
24 我們聽說從我們這裡出去[h]的一些人,用一些話使你們不安,攪擾你們的心靈。[i]其實我們沒有吩咐他們。 25 我們已達成了一致,認為應該揀選幾個人,派他們與我們親愛的巴拿巴保羅一起到你們那裡去。 26 這兩個人都為我們主耶穌基督的名,已經把自己的生命置之度外。 27 所以我們派了猶大賽拉斯去,他們會親口報告同樣的事, 28 因為聖靈和我們都認為,除了以下幾件必須遵守的事以外,不該把更多的重擔加給你們: 29 就是要遠避祭過偶像的食物,遠避血和勒死的動物,遠避淫亂。你們如果保守自己遠離這些,就做得很好了。
祝你們安康!」

耶路撒冷來信的結果

30 於是這些人被派遣,下[j]安提阿,召集了會眾,把信函交給他們。 31 讀完了信,會眾因著那鼓勵的話而感到歡喜。 32 猶大賽拉斯自己也是做先知傳道的[k]。他們用很多話鼓勵弟兄們,堅固他們。 33 兩個人住了一段時間,弟兄們就打發他們平平安安地回到差派他們的人[l]那裡去。 34 可是賽拉斯認為應該留在那裡。[m] 35 保羅巴拿巴也住在安提阿,與其他許多人一起教導、傳揚主的福音[n]

保羅與巴拿巴分手

36 過了幾天,保羅巴拿巴說:「來,讓我們回到我們傳過主福音[o]的每一個城,探望[p]弟兄們,看看他們的情況怎麼樣[q]。」 37 巴拿巴一直想要帶那稱為馬可約翰一起去。 38 但是保羅覺得不該帶他一起去,因為他曾在潘菲利亞省離開他們,沒有陪他們一起去工作。 39 兩個人起了激烈的爭執,以致彼此分手。巴拿巴帶著馬可,坐船到塞浦路斯島去; 40 保羅卻選了賽拉斯。弟兄們把保羅交託於主[r]的恩典之後,他就出發了。 41 保羅走遍敘利亞省和奇里乞亞省,堅固各教會。

Footnotes

  1. 使徒行傳 15:7 你們——有古抄本作「我們」。
  2. 使徒行傳 15:11 耶穌——有古抄本作「耶穌基督」。
  3. 使徒行傳 15:14 臨到——或譯作「照顧」。
  4. 使徒行傳 15:16 居所——原文直譯「帳幕」。
  5. 使徒行傳 15:18 《阿摩司書》9:11-12。
  6. 使徒行傳 15:21 他的書——輔助詞語。
  7. 使徒行傳 15:22 被選的是——輔助詞語。
  8. 使徒行傳 15:24 有古抄本沒有「出去」。
  9. 使徒行傳 15:24 有古抄本附「說你們必須受割禮並遵守律法。」
  10. 使徒行傳 15:30 下——有古抄本作「去」。
  11. 使徒行傳 15:32 做先知傳道的——原文直譯「先知」。
  12. 使徒行傳 15:33 差派他們的人——有古抄本作「使徒們」。
  13. 使徒行傳 15:34 有古抄本沒有此節。
  14. 使徒行傳 15:35 福音——原文直譯「話語」或「道」。
  15. 使徒行傳 15:36 福音——原文直譯「話語」或「道」。
  16. 使徒行傳 15:36 探望——或譯作「照顧」。
  17. 使徒行傳 15:36 看看他們的情況怎麼樣——原文直譯「看看他們現在怎麼樣」。
  18. 使徒行傳 15:40 主——有古抄本作「神」。

耶路撒冷會議

15 有幾個從猶太下來的人教導弟兄們說:「你們若不照著摩西的規條接受割禮,就不能得救。」 保羅和巴拿巴為這件事與他們激烈地辯論,最後大家決定派保羅、巴拿巴和幾個當地的信徒上耶路撒冷去跟使徒和長老討論這件事。

於是教會為他們送行。他們經過腓尼基和撒瑪利亞,沿途報告外族人悔改信主的消息,弟兄姊妹都大受鼓舞。 他們到了耶路撒冷,受到教會、使徒和長老的接待,並詳述了上帝藉他們所做的一切事。 有幾個信了主的法利賽人站起來說:「外族的信徒必須接受割禮,而且還要遵守摩西的律法。」

使徒和長老們聚集商議這個問題。 經過許多辯論之後,彼得站起來對大家說:「弟兄們,你們都知道,上帝早已在你們當中揀選我去向外族人傳道,讓他們也可以聽到福音並信主。 洞悉人心的上帝把聖靈賜給他們,正如賜給我們一樣,以表明祂也接納外族人。 上帝對他們和我們一視同仁,祂因他們的信心而潔淨了他們的心靈。 10 現在你們為什麼要試探上帝,把我們祖先和我們不能負的重擔強加在這些門徒身上? 11 我們相信,他們和我們一樣都是靠主耶穌的恩典得救。」

12 眾人都沉默不語,繼續聽巴拿巴和保羅敘述上帝藉著他們在外族人中所行的神蹟奇事。 13 他們報告完了,雅各站起來說:「弟兄們,請聽我說。 14 剛才西門講述了上帝當初如何眷顧外族人,從他們當中揀選人歸在祂的名下。 15 這完全與眾先知的話相符,正如聖經上說,

16 『此後,我要回來重建已傾覆的大衛王朝,
將它從廢墟中重建、恢復,
17 好叫其餘的百姓,
就是凡歸在我名下的外族人都尋求主。』

這是上帝說的, 18 祂從亙古就顯明了這事。

19 「所以,我認為不應該為難那些信上帝的外族人。 20 我們只須寫信吩咐他們遠避被偶像玷污之物,不可淫亂,不可吃血和勒死的牲畜。 21 因為自古以來,在各城都有人宣講摩西的律法,每逢安息日,都有人在會堂裡誦讀。」

給外族信徒的信

22 最後,使徒、長老和全教會都決定從他們當中選派代表,隨保羅和巴拿巴去安提阿。他們選了別號巴撒巴的猶大和西拉,這兩位都是教會的領袖。 23 他們帶去的書信這樣說:「安提阿、敘利亞和基利迦的外族弟兄姊妹,你們的弟兄——眾使徒和長老向你們問安!

24 「聽說有幾個人從我們這裡去了你們那裡,教導你們必須接受割禮並遵守摩西的律法[a]。他們的言論使你們大感困惑。其實我們從來沒有授權他們這樣做。 25 所以我們一致決定選派代表,隨我們敬愛的巴拿巴和保羅去你們那裡。 26 他們二人為我們主耶穌基督的緣故已將生死置之度外。 27 我們選派猶大和西拉兩位代表跟他們一起去,向你們報告我們的決定。 28 因為聖靈和我們都認為不應把重擔加在你們身上。但請務必注意以下幾件事, 29 要遠避祭拜偶像的事,不可吃血,不可吃勒死的牲畜,不可淫亂。你們一一遵守這些事就好了。祝平安!」

30 他們奉命下到安提阿,召集眾人,交付書信。 31 眾人讀過這封信之後,都因信中勸勉的話而歡喜。 32 猶大和西拉也是先知,他們講了許多勉勵、堅立弟兄姊妹的話。 33 住了些日子後,安提阿的弟兄姊妹以平安的祝福為他們送行,讓他們回耶路撒冷覆命。 34 但西拉決定留在那裡。[b] 35 保羅和巴拿巴則繼續留在安提阿,與許多人一起教導、傳揚上帝的道。

保羅與巴拿巴分手

36 過了一些日子,保羅對巴拿巴說:「我們回到曾傳過福音的各城鎮去探望弟兄姊妹吧,好知道他們的情況。」 37 巴拿巴想要帶約翰·馬可同去, 38 但保羅堅持不帶他同行,因為他在旁非利亞離開了他們,沒有和他們一起做工。

39 二人激烈地爭執起來,僵持不下,只好分道揚鑣。巴拿巴和約翰·馬可一同乘船去塞浦路斯。 40 保羅則選了西拉同行,弟兄姊妹把他們交託在主的恩典中。 41 保羅走遍了敘利亞和基利迦,鞏固當地的各教會。

Footnotes

  1. 15·24 有古卷無「教導你們必須接受割禮並遵守摩西的律法。」
  2. 15·34 有古卷無「但西拉決定留在那裡。」

The Meeting at Jerusalem

15 Then some men came to Antioch from Judea. They began teaching the non-Jewish brothers: “You cannot be saved if you are not circumcised. Moses taught us to do this.” Paul and Barnabas were against this teaching and argued with the men about it. So the group decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and some other men to Jerusalem. There they could talk more about this with the apostles and elders.

The church helped the men leave on the trip. They went through the countries of Phoenicia and Samaria, telling all about how the non-Jewish people had turned to God. This made all the believers very happy. When they arrived in Jerusalem, the apostles, the elders, and the church welcomed them. Paul, Barnabas, and the others told about all the things that God had done with them. But some of the believers who had belonged to the Pharisee group came forward. They said, “The non-Jewish believers must be circumcised. We must tell them to obey the law of Moses!”

The apostles and the elders gathered to study this problem. There was a long debate. Then Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know what happened in the early days. God chose me from among you to preach the Good News to the non-Jewish people. They heard the Good News from me, and they believed. God, who knows the thoughts of all men, accepted them. He showed this to us by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. To God, those people are not different from us. When they believed, he made their hearts pure. 10 So now why are you testing God? You are putting a heavy load around the necks of the non-Jewish brothers. It is a load that neither we nor our fathers were able to carry. 11 But we believe that we and they too will be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus!”

12 Then the whole group became quiet. They listened to Paul and Barnabas speak. Paul and Barnabas told about all the miracles and signs that God did through them among the non-Jewish people. 13 After they finished speaking, James spoke. He said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has told us how God showed his love for the non-Jewish people. For the first time he has accepted them and made them his people. 15 The words of the prophets agree with this too:

16 ‘After these things I will return.
    The kingdom of David is like a fallen tent.
But I will rebuild it.
    And I will again build its ruins.
    And I will set it up.
17 Then those people who are left alive may ask the Lord for help.
    And all people from other nations may worship me,
says the Lord.
    And he will make it happen.
18     And these things have been known for a long time.’ Amos 9:11-12

19 “So I think we should not bother the non-Jewish brothers who have turned to God. 20 Instead, we should write a letter to them. We should tell them these things: Do not eat food that has been offered to idols. (This makes the food unclean.) Do not take part in any kind of sexual sin. Do not taste blood. Do not eat animals that have been strangled. 21 They should not do these things, because there are still men in every city who teach the law of Moses. For a long time the words of Moses have been read in the synagogue every Sabbath day.”

Letter to Non-Jewish Believers

22 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. 23 They sent the following letter with them:

From the apostles and elders, your brothers.

To all the non-Jewish brothers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia:

Dear Brothers,

24 We have heard that some of our men have come to you and said things that trouble and upset you. But we did not tell them to do this! 25 We have all agreed to choose some men and send them to you. They will be with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have given their lives to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we have sent Judas and Silas with them. They will tell you the same things. 28 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: 29 Do not eat any food that has been offered to idols. Do not taste blood. Do not eat any animals that have been strangled. Do not take part in any kind of sexual sin. If you stay away from these things, you will do well.

Good-bye.

30 So the men left Jerusalem and went to Antioch. There they gathered the church and gave them the letter. 31 When they read it, they were very happy because of the encouraging letter. 32 Judas and Silas were also prophets, who said many things to encourage the believers and make them stronger. 33 After some time Judas and Silas were sent off in peace by the believers. They went back to those who had sent them. 34 [But Silas decided to remain there.][a]

35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They and many others preached the Good News and taught the people the message of the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas Separate

36 After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, “We preached the message of the Lord in many towns. We should go back to all those towns to visit the believers and see how they are doing.”

37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them too. 38 But John Mark had left them at Pamphylia; he did not continue with them in the work. So Paul did not think it was a good idea to take him. 39 Paul and Barnabas had a serious argument about this. They separated and went different ways. Barnabas sailed to Cyprus and took Mark with him. 40 But Paul chose Silas and left. The believers in Antioch put Paul into the Lord’s care. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, giving strength to the churches.

Footnotes

  1. 15:34 But . . . there. Some Greek copies do not contain the bracketed text.

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.