Acts 15
New King James Version
Conflict over Circumcision
15 And (A)certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, (B)“Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that (C)Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
3 So, (D)being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, (E)describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them. 5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
The Jerusalem Council
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: (F)“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, (G)who knows the heart, [a]acknowledged them by (H)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 (I)and made no distinction between us and them, (J)purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God (K)by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But (L)we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus [b]Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had (M)worked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had [c]become silent, (N)James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 (O)Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After(P) this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the [d]Lord who does all these things.’
18 [e]“Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore (Q)I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who (R)are turning to God, 20 but that we (S)write to them to abstain (T)from things polluted by idols, (U)from [f]sexual immorality, (V)from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, (W)being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
The Jerusalem Decree
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named (X)Barsabas,[g] and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them:
The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that (Y)some who went out from us have troubled you with words, (Z)unsettling your souls, [h]saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment— 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one [i]accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 (AA)men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29 (AB)that you abstain from things offered to idols, (AC)from blood, from things strangled, and from (AD)sexual[j] immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.
Continuing Ministry in Syria
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement. 32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being (AE)prophets also, (AF)exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words. 33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were (AG)sent back with greetings from the brethren to [k]the apostles.
34 [l]However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. 35 (AH)Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Division over John Mark
36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas [m]was determined to take with them (AI)John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them (AJ)the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to (AK)Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, (AL)being [n]commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, (AM)strengthening the churches.
Footnotes
- Acts 15:8 bore witness to
- Acts 15:11 NU, M omit Christ
- Acts 15:13 stopped speaking
- Acts 15:17 NU Lord, who makes these things
- Acts 15:18 NU (continuing v. 17) known from eternity (of old).’
- Acts 15:20 Or fornication
- Acts 15:22 NU, M Barsabbas
- Acts 15:24 NU omits saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”
- Acts 15:25 purpose or mind
- Acts 15:29 Or fornication
- Acts 15:33 NU those who had sent them
- Acts 15:34 NU, M omit v. 34.
- Acts 15:37 resolved
- Acts 15:40 committed
Acts 15
King James Version
15 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore 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 upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
Mga Gawa 15
Ang Bagong Tipan: Filipino Standard Version
Ang Pagpupulong sa Jerusalem
15 May (A) ilang taong dumating sa Antioquia mula sa Judea na nagtuturo ng ganito sa mga kapatid, “Malibang kayo'y tuliin ayon sa Kautusan ni Moises, hindi kayo maliligtas.” 2 Mahigpit na nakipagtalo sina Pablo at Bernabe sa kanila tungkol dito. At dahil naging mainit ang kanilang salungatan, sina Pablo at Bernabe, kasama ang iba pa, ay inatasang pumunta sa Jerusalem upang isangguni ang suliraning ito sa mga apostol at sa matatandang tagapamahala ng iglesya. 3 Sinugo nga sila ng iglesya. Sa kanilang pagdaan sa Fenicia at Samaria, iniulat nila ang pagbabalik-loob ng mga Hentil, na nakapagbigay ng malaking kagalakan sa lahat ng mga kapatid. 4 Nang makarating sila sa Jerusalem, malugod silang tinanggap ng buong iglesya, ng mga apostol at ng matatanda. Iniulat nila ang lahat ng bagay na ginawa ng Diyos sa pamamagitan nila. 5 Subalit tumindig ang ilang kaanib sa pangkat ng mga Fariseo at nagsabi, “Kailangang tuliin ang mga Hentil at utusang sundin ang Kautusan ni Moises.” 6 Nagtipon ang mga apostol at ang matatanda upang pag-usapan ang bagay na ito. 7 Pagkatapos (B) ng maraming talakayan, tumindig si Pedro at sinabi sa kanila, “Mga kapatid, nalalaman ninyo na noon ay hinirang ako ng Diyos mula sa inyo, upang sa pamamagitan ng aking pangangaral ay mapakinggan ng mga Hentil ang Magandang Balita, at sila'y sumampalataya. 8 At (C) ang Diyos na nakaaalam ng puso ng tao ay nagpatunay sa kanila nang pagkalooban sila ng Banal na Espiritu tulad ng nangyari sa atin. 9 Walang pagtatangi na ginawa ang Diyos sa atin at sa kanila; sa halip, nilinis din niya ang kanilang mga puso nang sila'y sumampalataya. 10 Kaya ngayon, bakit ninyo sinusubok ang Diyos at iniaatang sa mga alagad ang mga pasaning kahit tayo o ang ating mga ninuno'y hindi nakayang pasanin? 11 Sumasampalataya tayo na tayo'y maliligtas sa pamamagitan ng kagandahang-loob ng Panginoong Jesus, gayundin sila.” 12 Tumahimik ang buong kapulungan at pinakinggan ang salaysay nina Bernabe at Pablo tungkol sa mga himala at kababalaghang ginawa ng Diyos sa mga Hentil sa pamamagitan nila. 13 Pagkatapos nila, si Santiago naman ang nagsalita, “Mga kapatid, pakinggan ninyo ako. 14 Ipinaliwanag na ni Simon[a] kung paanong unang dinalaw ng Diyos ang mga Hentil, upang sila rin ay maging bayan para sa kanyang pangalan. 15 Sumasang-ayon dito ang mga salita ng mga propeta, tulad ng nasusulat,
16 ‘Pagkatapos (D) ng mga ito, ako'y babalik,
at muli kong itatayo ang bumagsak na tolda ni David;
muli ko itong ibabangon mula sa pagkaguho,
17 upang hanapin ng nalabi sa mga tao ang Panginoon,
at ng lahat ng mga Hentil na tinatawag sa aking pangalan,
sabi ng Panginoon na gumawa ng mga ito,
18 na nagpakilala mula noong una.’
19 Kaya't ako'y humahatol na huwag na nating pahirapan ang mga Hentil na nagbabalik-loob sa Diyos. 20 Sa (E) halip, sulatan natin sila na huwag kumain ng mga pagkaing pinarumi dahil ihinandog sa diyus-diyosan, huwag makiapid, at huwag kumain ng dugo at ng hayop na binigti. 21 Sapagkat noong araw pa ay ipinangangaral na ang Kautusan ni Moises sa bawat lungsod at binabasa sa mga sinagoga tuwing Sabbath.”
Ang Sulat sa mga Mananampalatayang Hentil
22 Nang magkagayo'y minabuti ng mga apostol at ng matatandang tagapamahala, at ng buong iglesya, na pumili ng mga lalaki mula sa kanilang hanay at isugo sa Antioquia kasama nina Pablo at Bernabe. Isinugo nila si Judas na tinatawag na Barsabas, at si Silas, mga lalaking iginagalang ng mga kapatid. 23 Sa pamamagitan nila'y ipinadala ang liham na ganito ang nilalaman:
“Kaming mga apostol, mga matatanda, at mga kapatid ay bumabati sa mga kapatid na Hentil na nasa Antioquia, Syria at Cilicia. 24 Yamang nabalitaan namin na ginugulo kayo ng ilang tao na galing dito, kahit hindi namin sila inutusan, 25 napagkasunduan naming magpadala sa inyo ng mga sugo. Kasama sila ng ating mga minamahal na sina Bernabe at Pablo, 26 mga taong nagsuong sa panganib ng kanilang buhay alang-alang sa pangalan ng ating Panginoong Jesu-Cristo. 27 Isinugo namin sina Judas at Silas upang ipaliwanag sa inyo ang nilalaman ng liham na ito. 28 Minabuti ng Banal na Espiritu at minabuti rin naming huwag na kayong bigyan ng mabigat na pasanin maliban sa mga ito na talagang kailangan: 29 Huwag kayong kakain ng anumang ihinandog sa mga diyus-diyosan, ng dugo, at ng mga binigting hayop. Huwag kayong makikiapid. Iwasan ninyo ang mga bagay na ito at mapapabuti kayo. Paalam.”
30 Pinaalis ang mga sugo at pumunta ang mga ito sa Antioquia. Nang matipon na nila ang kapulungan ay kanilang ibinigay ang sulat. 31 Pagkabasa nila nito, sila ay nagalak sa kanilang narinig. 32 Sina Judas at Silas, na mga propeta rin, ay marami pang sinabi na nagpalakas ng loob at nagpatatag sa mga kapatid. 33 Pagkatapos na manatili roon ng ilang panahon, sila'y payapang pinabalik ng mga kapatid sa mga nagsugo sa kanila. 34 [Ngunit minabuti ni Silas ang manatili roon.][b] 35 Nanatili sina Pablo at Bernabe sa Antioquia, at kasama ng marami pang iba, ay nagturo at nangaral ng salita ng Panginoon.
Ang Paghihiwalay nina Pablo at Bernabe
36 Makaraan ang ilang araw, sinabi ni Pablo kay Bernabe, “Balikan natin at dalawin ang mga kapatid sa bawat lungsod na pinangaralan natin ng salita ng Panginoon, at tingnan natin kung ano ang kalagayan nila.” 37 Nais ni Bernabe na kanilang isama si Juan, na tinatawag ding Marcos. 38 Ngunit (F) iginiit ni Pablo na huwag itong isama, sapagkat humiwalay ito noon at mula sa Pamfilia ay hindi na sumama sa kanilang gawain. 39 Nagkaroon sila ng mainitang pagtatalo na humantong sa kanilang paghihiwalay. Isinama ni Bernabe si Marcos, at naglayag patungong Cyprus. 40 Pinili naman ni Pablo si Silas, at sila'y umalis matapos ipagtagubilin ng mga kapatid sa pag-iingat ng Panginoon. 41 Naglakbay siya sa Syria at Cilicia at pinatatag ang mga iglesya.
Footnotes
- Mga Gawa 15:14 Simon: Sa Griyego, Simeon.
- Mga Gawa 15:34 Wala ang talatang ito sa mga mas naunang manuskrito.
Acts 15
English Standard Version
The Jerusalem Council
15 (A)But some men came down from Judea and were teaching (B)the brothers, “Unless you are (C)circumcised (D)according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and (E)debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and (F)some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to (G)the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, (H)being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, (I)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and (J)brought great joy to all (K)the brothers.[a] 4 (L)When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and (M)the apostles and the elders, and (N)they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to (O)the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, (P)“It is necessary (Q)to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 (R)The (S)apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much (T)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, (U)that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear (V)the word of (W)the gospel and believe. 8 And God, (X)who knows the heart, (Y)bore witness to them, (Z)by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and (AA)he made no distinction between us and them, (AB)having cleansed their hearts (AC)by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why (AD)are you putting God to the test (AE)by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples (AF)that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we (AG)believe that we will be (AH)saved through (AI)the grace of the Lord Jesus, (AJ)just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul (AK)as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, (AL)James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 (AM)Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them (AN)a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 (AO)“‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant[b] of mankind (AP)may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles (AQ)who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 (AR)known from of old.’
19 Therefore (AS)my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who (AT)turn to God, 20 but should write to them (AU)to abstain from (AV)the things polluted by idols, and from (AW)sexual immorality, and from (AX)what has been strangled, and from (AY)blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, (AZ)for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then it seemed good to (BA)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called (BB)Barsabbas, and (BC)Silas, leading men among (BD)the brothers, 23 with the following letter: (BE)“The brothers, both (BF)the apostles and the elders, to the brothers[c] who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, (BG)greetings. 24 Since we have heard that (BH)some persons have gone out from us and (BI)troubled you[d] with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come (BJ)to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our (BK)beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 (BL)men who have (BM)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent (BN)Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good (BO)to the Holy Spirit and (BP)to us (BQ)to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 (BR)that you abstain from (BS)what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves (BT)prophets, encouraged and (BU)strengthened (BV)the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off (BW)in peace by (BX)the brothers to those who had sent them.[e] 35 But (BY)Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Paul and Barnabas Separate
36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit (BZ)the brothers (CA)in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them (CB)John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one (CC)who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose (CD)a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. (CE)Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, (CF)having been commended by (CG)the brothers to (CH)the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, (CI)strengthening the churches.
Footnotes
- Acts 15:3 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 22
- Acts 15:17 Or rest
- Acts 15:23 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 32, 33, 36
- Acts 15:24 Some manuscripts some persons from us have troubled you
- Acts 15:33 Some manuscripts insert verse 34: But it seemed good to Silas to remain there
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Ang Bagong Tipan: Filipino Standard Version, Copyright © Philippine Bible Society 2009.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
