Acts 15
New International Reader's Version
Church Leaders Meet in Jerusalem
15 Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch. Here is what they were teaching the believers. “Moses commanded you to be circumcised,” they said. “If you aren’t, you can’t be saved.” 2 But Paul and Barnabas didn’t agree with this. They argued strongly with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed to go up to Jerusalem. Some other believers were chosen to go with them. They were told to ask the apostles and elders about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way. They traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria. There they told how the Gentiles had turned to God. This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, the church welcomed them. The apostles and elders welcomed them too. Then Paul and Barnabas reported everything God had done through them.
5 Some of the believers were Pharisees. They stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised. They must obey the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After they had talked it over, Peter got up and spoke to them. “Brothers,” he said, “you know that some time ago God chose me. He appointed me to take the good news to the Gentiles. He wanted them to hear the good news and believe. 8 God knows the human heart. By giving the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles, he showed that he accepted them. He did the same for them as he had done for us. 9 God showed that there is no difference between us and them. That’s because he made their hearts pure because of their faith. 10 Now then, why are you trying to test God? You test him when you put a heavy load on the shoulders of Gentiles. Our people of long ago couldn’t carry that load. We can’t either. 11 No! We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus. The Gentiles are saved in the same way.”
12 Everyone became quiet as they listened to Barnabas and Paul. They were telling about the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon Peter has explained to us what God has now done. He has chosen some of the Gentiles to be among his very own people. 15 The prophets’ words agree with that. They say,
16 “ ‘After this I will return
and set up again David’s fallen tent.
I will rebuild what was destroyed.
I will make it what it used to be.
17 Then everyone else can look to the Lord.
This includes all the Gentiles who belong to me, says the Lord.
The Lord is the one who does these things.’ (Amos 9:11,12)
18 The Lord does things that have been known from long ago.
19 “Now here is my decision. We should not make it hard for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Here is what we should write to them. They must not eat food that has been made impure by being offered to statues of gods. They must not commit sexual sins. They must not eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And they must not drink blood. 21 These laws of Moses have been preached in every city from the earliest times. They are read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”
A Letter Is Written to Gentile Believers
22 Then the apostles, the elders and the whole church decided what to do. They would choose some of their own men who were leaders among the believers. They would send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. So they chose Judas Barsabbas and Silas. They were leaders among the believers. 23 Here is the letter they sent with them.
The apostles and elders, your brothers, are writing this letter.
We are sending it to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.
Greetings.
24 We have heard that some of our people came to you and caused trouble. You were upset by what they said. But we had given them no authority to go. 25 So we all agreed to send our dear friends Barnabas and Paul to you. We chose some other men to go with them. 26 Barnabas and Paul have put their lives in danger. They did it for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 So we are sending Judas and Silas with them. What they say will agree with this letter. 28 Here is what seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us. We will not give you a load that is too heavy. So here are a few basic rules. 29 Don’t eat food that has been offered to statues of gods. Don’t drink blood. Don’t eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And don’t commit sexual sins. You will do well to keep away from these things.
Farewell.
30 So the men were sent down to Antioch. There they gathered the church together. They gave the letter to them. 31 The people read it. They were glad for its message of hope. 32 Judas and Silas were prophets. They said many things to give strength and hope to the believers. 33-34 Judas and Silas stayed there for some time. Then the believers sent them away with the blessing of peace. They sent them back to those who had sent them out. 35 Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch. There they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
Paul and Barnabas Do Not Agree
36 Some time later Paul spoke to Barnabas. “Let’s go back to all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord,” he said. “Let’s visit the believers and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them. 38 But Paul didn’t think it was wise to take him. Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia. He hadn’t continued with them in their work. 39 Barnabas and Paul strongly disagreed with each other. So they went their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus. 40 But Paul chose Silas. The believers asked the Lord to give his grace to Paul and Silas as they went. 41 Paul traveled through Syria and Cilicia. He gave strength to the churches there.
Acts 15
Revised Geneva Translation
15 Then some from Judea came down and taught the brothers, saying, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 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 (to the apostles and elders) about this question.
3 Thus, being sent forth by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. And they brought great joy to all the brothers.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and by the apostles and elders. And they told what things God had done through them.
5 “But,” they said, “some of the Pharisee sect who believed, rose up, saying that it was necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.”
6 Then the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there had been great disputation, Peter rose up, and said to them, “Men, brothers, you know that a good while ago, God chose me from among us. So that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the Word of the Gospel and believe.
8 “And God, Who knows the hearts, bore them witness in giving the Holy Ghost to them even as to us.
9 “And after He had purified their hearts by faith, He made no distinction between us and them.
10 “Now, therefore, why do you tempt God, to lay a yoke on the disciples’ necks which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 “But we believe we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as they are.”
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and heard Barnabas and Paul, who told what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13 And after their silence, James answered, saying, “Men, brothers, hear me.
14 “Simeon has declared how God first visited the Gentiles, to take a people to His Name.
15 “And the words of the Prophets agree with this. As it is written,
16 ‘After this I will return, and will rebuild the Tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. And I will rebuild the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.
17 ‘So that the remaining men - and all the Gentiles upon whom My Name is called - might seek after the Lord, says the Lord Who does all these things.’
18 “From the beginning of the world, God knows all His works.
19 “Therefore my judgment is that we do not trouble those of the Gentiles who have turned to God,
20 “but that we write to them to abstain from filthiness of idols, and from fornication, and from that which is strangled, and from blood.
21 “For Moses has, for generations, had those who preach him in every city (seeing he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath).”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and elders (with the whole church) to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: namely, Judas (whose surname was Barsabas) and Silas, leaders among the brothers.
23 And they wrote letters by them like this, “The Apostles, and the Elders, and the Brothers, to the Gentile Brothers in Antioch, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, greetings,
24 “Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, and upset your minds, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the Law’ (to whom we gave no such commandment),
25 “It therefore seemed good to us - after we had come together with one mind - to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.
26 “Men who have given up their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 “We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost (and to us) to lay no more burden upon you other than these necessary things:
29 “that you abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and that which is strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these, you shall do well. Farewell.”
30 Now when they had left, they came to Antioch. And after they had assembled the multitude, they delivered the letter.
31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas, being Prophets, encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
33 And after they had stayed there a time, they were sent back in peace by the brothers to the apostles.
34 However, Silas thought it good to remain there.
35 Paul and Barnabas also stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching (with many others) the Word of the Lord.
36 But after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the Word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”
37 And Barnabas planned to take John (called Mark) with them.
38 But Paul did not think it good to take with them one who had left them in Pamphylia, and not gone with them to do the work.
39 Therefore there was such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another. And Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.
40 And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brothers to the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, establishing the churches.
Деяния на апостолите 15
Библия, ревизирано издание
Спорът в Антиохия
15 (A)А някои слязоха от Юдея и учеха братята, като казваха: Ако не се обрежете според Моисеевия обряд, не можете да се спасите.
2 (B)И така, като се получиха немалко противоречия и спорове между тях и Павел и Варнава, братята наредиха Павел и Варнава и някои други от тях да отидат по този въпрос в Йерусалим при апостолите и презвитерите.
3 (C)И те, изпратени от църквата, минаваха през Финикия и през Самария, като разказваха за обръщението на езичниците и доставяха голяма радост на всички братя.
4 (D)А като стигнаха в Йерусалим, бяха приети от църквата и от апостолите и презвитерите и разказваха всичко, което беше извършил Бог чрез тях.
5 (E)Но някои от повярвалите сред фарисейската секта станаха и казаха: Нужно е да се обрязват езичниците и да им се заръча да пазят Моисеевия закон.
Апостолският събор в Йерусалим
6 Тогава апостолите и презвитерите се събраха да разискват този въпрос.
7 (F)И след много разисквания Петър стана и им каза: Братя, вие знаете, че в първите дни Бог избра между вас мене, така че езичниците чрез моите уста да чуят евангелското учение и да повярват.
8 (G)И сърцеведецът Бог им засвидетелства Своята милост, като даде и на тях Святия Дух, както и на нас;
9 (H)и не направи никаква разлика между нас и тях, като очисти сърцата им чрез вяра.
10 (I)Ако е тъй, сега защо изпитвате Бога, за да налагате на шията на учениците хомот, който нито бащите ни, нито ние можем да носим?
11 (J)Но ние вярваме, че ще се спасим чрез благодатта на Господ Исус, също както и те.
12 (K)Тогава цялото множество млъкна и слушаше Варнава и Павел да разказват какви знамения и чудеса Бог беше извършил чрез тях между езичниците.
13 (L)И след като те свършиха да говорят, Яков взе думата и каза: Братя, послушайте мене.
14 (M)Симон обясни как Бог най-напред посети езичниците, за да вземе измежду тях хора за Своето име.
15 Това е в съгласие и с думите на пророците, както е писано:
16 (N)„След това ще се върна.
И пак ще издигна падналата Давидова скиния,
и ще съградя наново развалините,
и ще я изправя;
17 за да потърсят Господа останалите от човеците
и всичките народи, които се наричат с името Ми,
18 казва Господ, Който прави това да е известно отвека.“
19 (O)Затова аз съм на мнение да не отегчаваме тези от езичниците, които се обръщат към Бога,
20 (P)а да им пишем да се въздържат от оскверняване чрез идоли, чрез блудство и чрез яденето на удушени животни и кръв.
21 (Q)Защото още от старо време по всички градове е имало такива, които са проповядвали Моисеевия закон, който се прочита всяка събота в синагогите.
Решенията на събора
22 (R)Тогава апостолите и презвитерите с цялата църква намериха за добре да изберат помежду си мъже и да ги пратят в Антиохия с Павел и Варнава, а именно: Юда, наречен Варсава, и Сила, изтъкнати между братята.
23 И им писаха по тях следното: От апостолите и по-старите братя поздрав до братята, които са от езичниците в Антиохия, Сирия и Киликия.
24 (S)Понеже чухме, че някои, които са излезли от нас, са ви смутили с думите си и са разстроили душите ви като ви казват да се обрязвате и да пазите закона, без да са приели заповед от нас,
25 то ние, като дойдохме до единодушие, намерихме за добре да изберем мъже и да ги пратим до вас заедно с любимите ни Варнава и Павел,
26 (T)човеци, които изложиха живота си на опасност за името на нашия Господ Исус Христос.
27 И така, изпращаме Юда и Сила да ви съобщят и те устно същите неща.
28 Защото се видя добре на Святия Дух и на нас да не ви налагаме никое друго бреме, освен следните необходими неща:
29 (U)да се въздържате от ядене на идоложертвено, кръв и удушени животни, също и от блудство; от които ако се пазите, ще направите добре. Здравейте!
30 И така, изпратените слязоха в Антиохия и като събраха всички вярващи, дадоха им посланието.
31 И те, като го прочетоха, зарадваха се за успокоението, което им даваше.
32 (V)А Юда и Сила, които бяха и сами пророци, увещаваха братята с много думи и ги утвърдиха.
33 (W)И след като престояха там известно време, братята ги оставиха с мир да се върнат при онези, които ги бяха изпратили.
34 Но Сила намери за добре да остане още там.
35 (X)А Павел и Варнава останаха в Антиохия и заедно с мнозина други поучаваха и проповядваха Господнето учение.
Начало на второто пътешествие
36 (Y)А след няколко дни Павел каза на Варнава: Да се върнем сега по всички градове, където сме проповядвали Господнето учение, и да нагледаме как са братята.
37 (Z)И Варнава беше на мнение да вземат със себе си Йоан, наречен Марк;
38 (AA)а Павел не намираше за добре да вземат със себе си този, който се беше отделил от тях още от Памфилия и не отиде с тях на делото.
39 И така, възникна разпра помежду им, така че те се отделиха един от друг; и Варнава взе Марк и отплаваха за Кипър,
40 (AB)а Павел си избра Сила и тръгна, препоръчан от братята на Господнята благодат.
41 (AC)И минаваше през Сирия и Киликия и утвърждаваше църквите.
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