Acts 15
Tree of Life Version
Jerusalem Council Rules on Circumcision
15 Now some men coming down from Judea were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 When Paul and Barnabas had a big argument and debate with them, the brothers appointed Paul and Barnabas with some others from among them to go up to Jerusalem to the emissaries and elders about this issue.
3 So they were sent on their way by the Antioch community. They were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all the brothers and sisters. 4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the community and the emissaries and the elders. They reported all that God had done in helping them.
5 But some belonging to the party of the Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Torah of Moses.”
6 The emissaries and elders were gathered together to examine this issue. 7 After much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God chose from among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the message of the Good News and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving them the Ruach ha-Kodesh—just as He also did for us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts through faith. 10 Why then do you put God to the test by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples—which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But instead, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Yeshua, in the same way as they are.”
12 Then the whole group became silent and were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were describing in detail all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, Jacob answered, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simon has described how God first showed His concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for His Name. 15 The words of the Prophets agree, as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return
and rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David.
I will rebuild its ruins
and I will restore it,
17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord—
namely all the Gentiles who are called by My name—
says Adonai,
who makes these things [a] 18 known from of old.’[b]
19 Therefore, I judge not to trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God— 20 but to write to them to abstain from the contamination of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what is strangled, and from blood. [c] 21 For Moses from ancient generations has had in every city those who proclaim him, since he is read in all the synagogues every Shabbat.”
Letter to Diaspora Communities
22 Then it seemed good to the emissaries and elders, with the whole community, to choose men from among themselves to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judah (also called Barsabbas) and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23 and this letter along with them:
“The emissaries and the elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile brothers of Antioch, Syria,
and Cilicia:
Greetings!
24 Since we have heard that some from among us have troubled you with words disturbing to your souls,[d] although we gave them no such authorization, 25 it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 27 We therefore have sent to you Judah and Silas, who themselves will report to you the same things by word of mouth. 28 It seemed good to the Ruach ha-Kodesh and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. By keeping away from these things, you will do well.
Shalom!”
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and when they had gathered the whole group together, they delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Judah and Silas, prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters with a long message and strengthened them.
33 After spending some time there, they were sent off with shalom by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them. 34 [e] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord with many others.
New Teams Strengthen Communities
36 After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in every city where we have proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are.” 37 Barnabas was planning to take along John, called Mark. 38 But Paul was insisting that they shouldn’t take him along—the one who had deserted them in Pamphylia, not accompanying them in the work. 39 A sharp disagreement took place, so that they split off from one another. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus. 40 But Paul selected Silas and went out, being entrusted by the brothers and sisters to the gracious care of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the communities.
Footnotes
- Acts 15:18 Amos 9:11-12(LXX); cf. Zech. 8:20-23; Dan. 9:19.
- Acts 15:18 cf. Isa. 45:21(LXX).
- Acts 15:21 cf. Exod. 22:31; 34:15-17; Lev. 3:17; 17:8-13; 18:6-26.
- Acts 15:24 Some mss. add saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law,”
- Acts 15:35 Some mss. add verse 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
Acts 15
Worldwide English (New Testament)
15 Some men came from Judea and taught the Christian brothers. They said, `You must be circumcised with the mark made on your body in the way Moses taught us. If you are not circumcised you cannot be saved.'
2 Paul and Barnabas did not agree with them. There was much talking about it. Then they decided that Paul and Barnabas and some of the other men should go to Jerusalem. They would ask the apostles and church leaders there about it.
3 So the church people sent them on their way. They passed through the districts of Phoenicia and Samaria. They told them that some who were not Jews were believing in God. This news made all the Christian brothers very happy.
4 When they reached Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church people, the apostles, and the church leaders. They told all that God had done as he worked with them.
5 But some of the believers who belonged to the Pharisee group stood up and said, `They must be circumcised [like the Jews]. We must tell them to keep all the laws of Moses.'
6 The apostles and the church leaders met together to talk the matter over.
7 After much talking about it, Peter stood up. He said, `Men and brothers, you know what happened in the first days. God chose me to tell the good news to those who are not Jews. They believed.
8 God knows what is in a person's heart. He proved that they believed. He gave them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.
9 God made no difference between them and us. He made their hearts clean when they believed.
10 So now why are you doing what God did not do? You give the disciples a hard thing to do. Our fathers could not do it. And we cannot do it.
11 We believe that the Lord Jesus saves us because he is kind. And that is why he saves them.'
12 Then all the people stopped talking. They listened to what Paul and Barnabas had to say. They told them about all the signs and wonderful things that God had helped them to do among the people who were not Jews.
13 When they had finished talking, James said, `Men and brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has told us how God came the first time to the people who are not Jews. God chose some of them to belong to him and be his people.
15 This is what the prophets of God said long ago.
16 They said, "After this, I will come back and build up again the house of David which has fallen down. I will take the broken pieces and build a house again.
17 Then all the other people will find God, even those who are not Jews but who belong to me. So says the Lord, who is doing all these things."
18 `He told us these things long ago.
19 So now, this is what I think. We should not trouble those who are not Jews but who have turned to God.
20 We should write them a letter and tell them what they must not do. They must not eat food that has been given to idols. They must not have sex with someone who is not their husband or wife. They must not eat the meat of animals that are killed by choking. They must not taste blood.
21 Since the times of long ago there have been men who told about Moses in every city. They read his laws in the meeting places every Sabbath day.'
22 Then the apostles, and the leaders, and all the church people chose men from among themselves. They sent them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas, whose other name was Barsabbas, and Silas. They were leaders among the Christian brothers.
23 They sent a letter with them. It said, `The apostles, the church leaders, and the Christian brothers send greetings to the Christians who are not Jews in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
24 We have heard that some of our people visited you and talked to you. They taught things that troubled you and made you believe wrong things. They said, "You must be circumcised like the Jews and keep the law." We did not tell them to teach you this.
25 All of us gathered here have chosen some men. We are sending them with our dear brothers, Barnabas and Paul.
26 Barnabas and Paul have been willing to die for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We are sending Judas and Silas. They will tell you the same things that we have written in the letter.
28 The Holy Spirit and we thought it was not good to give you a hard thing to do. But here is what you must not do.
29 You must not eat food that has been given to idols. You must not eat the meat of animals that are killed by choking. You must not taste blood. You must not commit adultery. If you keep away from these things, you will do well. Goodbye.'
30 So the men left and went to Antioch. There they called the people together and gave them the letter.
31 When the people read the letter, they were very glad. It helped them to become stronger in what they believed.
32 Judas and Silas were prophets. They said many things to the Christian brothers and helped them to believe more strongly.
33 They stayed there for a while. Then the brothers sent them back to those who had sent them. They sent a greeting of peace with them.
34 But Silas thought it was good to stay at Antioch.
35 Paul and Barnabas stayed there too. They taught the people and told them the Lord's message. Many other men did this also.
36 Some days later, Paul said to Barnabas, `Let us go back and visit the brothers in every city where we have told the Lord's message. Let us see how they are doing.'
37 Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them.
38 But Paul did not think that they should take him. John Mark had left them when they were at Pamphylia. He had not gone along with them to do the work.
39 The feeling about this matter was very strong between Barnabas and Paul, so they did not go together. Barnabas took Mark and went in a boat to Cyprus.
40 Paul chose Silas. The Christian brothers asked the Lord to bless Paul. Then he went on his way.
41 Paul travelled through Syria and Cilicia. He helped the church people to believe more strongly.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.
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