Acts 15:22-41

Living Bible

²² Then the apostles and elders and the whole congregation voted to send delegates to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, to report on this decision. The men chosen were two of the church leaders—Judas (also called Barsabbas) and Silas.

²³ This is the letter they took along with them:

“From: The apostles, elders and brothers at Jerusalem.

“To: The Gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia. Greetings!

²⁴ “We understand that some believers from here have upset you and questioned your salvation,^[a] but they had no such instructions from us. ²⁵ So it seemed wise to us, having unanimously agreed on our decision, to send to you these two official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. ²⁶ These men—Judas and Silas, who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ—will confirm orally what we have decided concerning your question.

^27-29 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden of Jewish laws on you than to abstain from eating food offered to idols and from unbled meat of strangled animals,^[b] and, of course, from fornication. If you do this, it is enough. Farewell.”

³⁰ The four messengers went at once to Antioch, where they called a general meeting of the Christians and gave them the letter. ³¹ And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read it.

³² Then Judas and Silas, both being gifted speakers,^[c] preached long sermons to the believers, strengthening their faith. ³³ They stayed several days,^[d] and then Judas and Silas returned to Jerusalem taking greetings and appreciation to those who had sent them. ^34-35 Paul and Barnabas stayed on at Antioch to assist several others who were preaching and teaching there.

³⁶ Several days later Paul suggested to Barnabas that they return again to Turkey and visit each city where they had preached before,^[e] to see how the new converts were getting along. ³⁷ Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. ³⁸ But Paul didn’t like that idea at all, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia. ³⁹ Their disagreement over this was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus, ^40-41 while Paul chose Silas and, with the blessing of the believers, left for Syria and Cilicia to encourage the churches there.