Acts 15:1-21
Wycliffe Bible
15 And some men came down from Judaea, and taught brethren, That but ye be circumcised after the law of Moses, ye be not able to be made safe [ye be not able to be saved].
2 Therefore when there was made not a little dissension to Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained, that Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, should go up to the apostles and priests in Jerusalem, on this question.
3 And so they were led forth of the church, and passed by Phenice and Samaria; and they told the conversation of heathen men [Therefore they, led forth of the church, passed by Phenice and Samaria; telling the living of heathen men], and they made great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they came to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and of the apostles, and of the elder men, and told, how great things God did with them. [Soothly when they came to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles, and elder men, and told how many things God did with them.]
5 But some of the heresy of the Pharisees, that believed, rose up, and said, [rised, saying], That it behooveth them to be circumcised, and to command to keep also the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elder men came together, to see of this word.
7 And when there was made a great seeking thereof, Peter rose, and said to them, Brethren, ye know [Men brethren, ye know], that of old days in you God chose by my mouth heathen men, to hear the word of the gospel, and to believe;
8 and God, that knew the hearts, bare witnessing, and gave to them the Holy Ghost [giving to them the Holy Ghost], as also to us;
9 and nothing diversed betwixt [between] us and them, cleansing the hearts of them by faith.
10 Now then what tempt ye God [Now therefore what tempt ye God], to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither we, neither our fathers might bear?
11 But by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ we believe to be saved, as also they.
12 And all the multitude held peace, and heard Barnabas and Paul, telling how great signs and wonders [how many signs and wonders] God did by them in heathen men.
13 And after that they held peace, James answered, and said, Brethren, hear ye me [James answered, saying, Men brethren, hear me].
14 Simon told, how God visited, first to take of heathen men a people to his name. [Simon told, how first God visited, to take of heathen men a people to his name.]
15 And the words of prophets accord to him [And to him the words of prophets accord], as it is written,
16 After this I shall turn again, and build the tabernacle of David, that fell down; and I shall build again the cast down things of it, and I shall raise it;
17 that other men seek the Lord [that others of men seek the Lord], and all folks on whom my name is called to help; the Lord doing this thing, saith.
18 From the world, the work of the Lord is known to the Lord. [From the world, to the Lord his work is known.]
19 For which thing I deem them that of heathen men be converted to God, to be not dis-eased [to be not unquieted, or dis-eased],
20 but to write to them, that they abstain them from defoulings of maumets [that they abstain them from defoulings of simulacra], and from fornication, and strangled things, and blood.
21 For Moses of old times hath in all cities them that preach him in synagogues, whereby each sabbath he is read.
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Acts 15:1-21
New Matthew Bible
Disagreement about circumcision. The apostles bring peace to the matter at Jerusalem, and Paul and Barnabas preach at Antioch.
15 Then certain men came from Judea and taught the brethren, Unless you are circumcised as observed by Moses, you cannot be saved. 2 And when dissension arose, and Paul and Barnabas had set themselves hard against them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question. 3 And after they were brought on their way by the congregation, they passed over Phoenicia and Samaria, telling about the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they got to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the congregation, and by the apostles and elders. And they described what things God had done by them. 5 Then there rose up certain men of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying that it was necessary to circumcise the Gentiles, and to enjoin them to keep the law of Moses. 6 And the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there was much disputing, Peter rose up and said to them, Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, and gave to them the Holy Spirit, even as he did to us. 9 And he put no difference between them and us, but with faith purified their hearts. 10 Now therefore why do you tempt God, and put a yoke on the disciples’ necks that 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, as they do.
12 Then all the company was silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul, who told what signs and wonders God had shown among the Gentiles by them.
13 And afterward, while they held their peace, James spoke, saying, Men and brethren, listen to me. 14 Simon told how God at the beginning visited the Gentiles and took out of them people for his name. 15 And to this the words of the prophets agree, as it is written: 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; and that which is fallen into decay of it, I will build again; and I will set it up, 17 so that the rest of mankind may seek after the Lord, even all the Gentiles upon whom my name is named, 18 says the Lord who does all these things.
Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19 Therefore my recommendation is that we not trouble those who from among the Gentiles are turned to God, 20 but that we write to them to keep themselves from the defilement of idols, from fornication, from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses since ancient times has had those who preach him in every city, and he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.
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Acts 15:1-21
1599 Geneva Bible
15 1 Certain go about to bring in circumcision at Antioch: 6 About which matter the Apostles consult: 19 and what must be done 23 they declare by letters. 36 Paul and Barnabas 39 are at great variance.
1 Then [a]came down [b]certain from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 [c]And when there was great dissension, and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question.
3 Thus [d]being brought forth by the Church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared what things God had done by them.
5 But said they, certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which did believe, rose up, saying that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.
6 [e]Then the Apostles and Elders came together to look to this matter.
7 And when there had been great disputation, Peter rose up, and said unto them, (A)[f]Ye men and brethren, ye know that a [g]good while ago, among us God chose out me, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe.
8 And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, in giving unto them the holy Ghost even as he did unto us.
9 And he put no [h]difference between us and them, after that (B)[i]by faith he had purified their hearts.
10 [j]Now therefore, why [k]tempt ye God, to (C)lay a yoke on the disciples’ necks, which neither our fathers, nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, even as they do.
12 [l]Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.
13 And when they held their peace, [m]James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me.
14 [n]Simeon hath declared, how God first did visit the Gentiles, to take of them a people unto his Name.
15 And to this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written,
16 (D)After this I will return, and will build again the Tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and the ruins thereof will I build again, 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 which doeth all these things.
18 From the beginning of the world, God [o]knoweth all his works.
19 [p]Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,
20 But that we send unto them, that they abstain themselves from [q]filthiness of idols, and fornication, and that is strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day.
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- Acts 15:1 The Church is at length troubled with dissension within itself, and the trouble riseth of the proud and stubborn wits of certain evil men: The first strife was concerning the office of Christ, whether we be saved by his only righteousness apprehended by faith, or we have need also to observe the Law.
- Acts 15:1 Epiphanius is of opinion that this was Cerinthus.
- Acts 15:2 Meetings of Congregations were instituted to suppress heresies, whereunto certain were sent by common consent in the name of all.
- Acts 15:3 Courteously and lovingly brought on their way by the Church, that is, by certain appointed by the Church.
- Acts 15:6 The matter is first handled, both parts being heard in the assembly of the Apostles and ancients, and after is communicated with the people.
- Acts 15:7 God himself in calling of the Gentiles which are uncircumcised, did teach that our salvation doth consist in faith without the worship appointed by the Law.
- Acts 15:7 Word for word, of old time, that is, even from the first time that we were commanded to preach the Gospel, and straightways after that the holy Ghost came down upon us.
- Acts 15:9 He put no difference between us and them, as touching the benefit of his free favor.
- Acts 15:9 Christ pronounceth them Blessed, which are pure of heart: and here we are plainly taught that men are made such by faith.
- Acts 15:10 Peter passing from the Ceremonies to the Law itself in general, showeth that none could be saved, if salvation were to be sought for by the Law, and not by grace only in Jesus Christ; because that no man could ever fulfil the Law, neither Patriarch, nor Apostle.
- Acts 15:10 Why tempt ye God, as though he could not save by faith?
- Acts 15:12 A true pattern of a lawful Council, where God’s truth only reigneth.
- Acts 15:13 The son of Alphaeus, who is called the Lord’s brother.
- Acts 15:14 James confirmeth the calling of the Gentiles, out of the word of God, therein agreeing to Peter.
- Acts 15:18 And therefore nothing cometh to pass by fortune, but by God’s appointment.
- Acts 15:19 In matters indifferent we may so far bear with the weakness of our brethren, as they may have time to be instructed.
- Acts 15:20 From sacrifices or from feasts which were kept in idols’ Temples.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
