Acts 15:12-16:10

Christian Standard Bible

¹² The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.^{(A) 13} After they stopped speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴ Simeon^[a] has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name.^{(B) 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,^(D) 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.”^(E)

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,^(F) both leading men among the brothers. ²³ They wrote:

“From the apostles and the elders, your brothers,

To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:^(G)

Greetings.

²⁴ Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us^(H) and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,^{[d](I) 25} we have unanimously^(J) decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ who have risked their lives^(K) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁷ Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth. ²⁸ For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision—and ours—not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements:^{(L) 29} that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.^(M) You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things.

Farewell.”

The Outcome of the Jerusalem Letter

³⁰ So they were sent off and 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 sisters and strengthened them with a long message.^{(N) 33} After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace^(O) by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them.^{[e][f] 35} But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord.^(P)

Paul and Barnabas Part Company

³⁶ After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town^(Q) where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark. ³⁸ But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work. ³⁹ They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark^(R) with him and sailed off to Cyprus. ⁴⁰ But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.^{(S) 41} He traveled through Syria^(T) and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Paul Selects Timothy

16 Paul went on to Derbe and Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy,^(U) the son of a believing Jewish woman,^(V) but his father was a Greek. ² The brothers and sisters at Lystra and Iconium spoke highly of him.^{(W) 3} Paul wanted Timothy to go with him; so he took him and circumcised^(X) him because of the Jews who were in those places, since they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ As they traveled through the towns, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem for the people to observe.^{(Y) 5} So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.^(Z)

Evangelization of Europe

⁶ They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.^{(AA) 7} When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus^(AB) did not allow them. ⁸ Passing by Mysia they went down to Troas.^{(AC) 9} During the night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” ^{(AD) 10} After^(AE) he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.