Acts 15:22-41

Christian Standard Bible

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,^(A) 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:^(B)

Greetings.

²⁴ Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us^(C) and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,^{[a](D) 25} we have unanimously^(E) decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, ²⁶ who have risked their lives^(F) 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:^{(G) 29} that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.^(H) 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.^{(I) 33} After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace^(J) by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them.^{[b][c] 35} But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord.^(K)

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^(L) 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^(M) 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.^{(N) 41} He traveled through Syria^(O) and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.