Sinodul de la Ierusalim

15 Au venit însă din Iudeea unii care îi învăţau pe fraţi astfel: „Dacă nu sunteţi circumcişi, după obiceiul lui Moise, nu puteţi fi mântuiţi!“ S-a stârnit o mare neînţelegere şi dispută între Pavel şi Barnabas, de o parte, şi ei, de cealaltă parte. Drept urmare, fraţii i-au desemnat pe Pavel, pe Barnabas şi pe alţi câţiva dintre ei să se suie la Ierusalim pentru această problemă, la apostoli şi la bătrâni[a]. Aşadar, după ce au fost însoţiţi de către biserică, ei au călătorit prin Fenicia şi Samaria şi au istorisit despre cum s-au convertit neamurile. Şi le-au făcut astfel o mare bucurie tuturor fraţilor. Când au ajuns în Ierusalim, au fost primiţi de biserică, de apostoli şi de bătrâni şi au povestit tot ce făcuse Dumnezeu cu ei. Atunci unii din partida fariseilor care crezuseră s-au ridicat şi au spus că şi neamurile trebuie să fie circumcise şi că trebuie să li se poruncească şi lor să păzească Legea lui Moise.

Apostolii şi bătrânii s-au adunat ca să vadă ce este de făcut în legătură cu această problemă. După multe discuţii, Petru s-a ridicat şi le-a zis: „Bărbaţi, fraţilor, voi ştiţi că de o bună bucată de vreme, Dumnezeu a făcut o alegere între voi, ca, prin gura mea, neamurile să audă cuvântul Evangheliei şi să creadă. Şi Dumnezeu, Care cunoaşte inimile, a depus mărturie pentru ele, dându-le Duhul Sfânt la fel ca şi nouă. El n-a făcut nici o deosebire între noi şi ele, întrucât le-a curăţit inimile prin credinţă. 10 Acum deci, de ce-L puneţi la încercare pe Dumnezeu, punând pe gâtul ucenicilor un jug pe care nici strămoşii noştri şi nici noi nu l-am putut purta? 11 Dimpotrivă, noi credem că suntem mântuiţi prin harul Domnului Isus, la fel ca şi ele.“

12 Toată mulţimea a tăcut şi i-a ascultat pe Barnabas şi pe Pavel istorisind toate semnele şi minunile pe care le făcuse Dumnezeu prin ei printre neamuri. 13 Când au terminat de vorbit, Iacov a zis: „Bărbaţi, fraţilor, ascultaţi-mă! 14 Simon[b] ne-a istorisit cum mai întâi Dumnezeu Şi-a arătat grija luând dintre neamuri un popor pentru Numele Său. 15 Şi cu acest lucru sunt de acord cuvintele profeţilor, aşa cum este scris:

16 «După aceea, Mă voi întoarce
    şi voi ridica cortul căzut al lui David.
Îi voi ridica ruinele
    şi-l voi reclădi,
17 ca astfel rămăşiţa de oameni să-L caute pe Domnul,
    precum şi toate neamurile peste care este chemat Numele Meu,
zice Domnul, Cel Care face aceste lucruri[c]
18     şi Căruia Îi sunt cunoscute din veşnicie.»[d]

19 De aceea, eu sunt de părere să nu le pricinuim greutăţi acelora dintre neamuri care se întorc la Dumnezeu, 20 ci să le scriem să se ferească de lucrurile pângărite de idoli[e], de adulter, de animale sugrumate[f] şi de sânge. 21 Căci încă din generaţiile din vechime Moise are în fiecare cetate oameni care-l proclamă în sinagogi, el fiind citit în fiecare Sabat.“

Scrisoarea Sinodului către credincioşii dintre neamuri

22 Atunci apostolii şi bătrânii, împreună cu toată biserica, au hotărât să aleagă dintre ei nişte bărbaţi pe care să-i trimită în Antiohia, împreună cu Barnabas şi cu Pavel. I-au ales pe Iuda, numit şi Barsabas, şi pe Silas, bărbaţi cu funcţie de conducere între fraţi. 23 Au trimis prin ei următoarea scrisoare:

„Apostolii şi bătrânii, fraţii voştri, către fraţii dintre neamuri, care sunt în Antiohia, Siria şi Cilicia. Salutare! 24 Fiindcă am auzit că unii care au plecat dintre noi, fără ca noi să le poruncim, v-au tulburat prin cuvintele lor şi v-au necăjit sufletele, (zicând să vă tăiaţi împrejur şi să păziţi Legea,)[g] 25 am hotărât într-un singur gând să alegem nişte bărbaţi pe care să-i trimitem la voi împreună cu preaiubiţii noştri Barnabas şi Pavel, 26 oameni care şi-au riscat viaţa pentru Numele Domnului nostru Isus Cristos. 27 Aşadar, i-am trimis pe Iuda şi pe Silas, şi ei vă vor spune, prin viu grai, aceleaşi lucruri. 28 Căci ni s-a părut potrivit, Duhului Sfânt şi nouă, să nu mai punem nici o altă povară asupra voastră, decât aceste lucruri necesare 29 şi anume: să vă feriţi de ceea ce este jertfit idolilor, de sânge, de animale sugrumate şi de adulter, lucruri de care, dacă vă veţi păzi, va fi bine de voi. Fiţi sănătoşi!“

30 Aşadar, când cei trimişi au ajuns în Antiohia, au adunat mulţimea şi le-au dat scrisoarea. 31 Citind-o, fraţii s-au bucurat de mesajul de încurajare. 32 Iuda şi Silas, care şi ei erau profeţi, i-au încurajat pe fraţi şi i-au întărit prin multe cuvinte. 33 După ce au petrecut acolo câtva timp, au fost lăsaţi de către fraţi să plece în pace la cei care-i trimiseseră. 34 (Totuşi Silas a hotărât să rămână acolo.)[h] 35 Pavel şi Barnabas au rămas în Antiohia şi, împreună cu mulţi alţii, dădeau învăţătură şi vesteau Cuvântul Domnului.

Disputa dintre Pavel şi Barnabas

36 După câteva zile, Pavel i-a zis lui Barnabas: „Să ne întoarcem şi să vizităm fraţii din fiecare cetate în care am predicat Cuvântul Domnului, ca să vedem ce mai fac!“ 37 Barnabas voia să-l ia cu ei şi pe Ioan, numit Marcu, 38 dar Pavel considera că nu este bine să-l ia cu ei pe acela care-i părăsise în Pamfilia şi nu-i însoţise mai departe în lucrare. 39 Disputa a fost atât de aprinsă, încât s-au despărţit unul de altul. Barnabas l-a luat pe Marcu şi a plecat pe mare în Cipru, 40 iar Pavel l-a ales pe Silas şi a plecat, după ce a fost încredinţat de fraţi în grija harului Domnului. 41 El a călătorit prin Siria şi Cilicia, întărind bisericile.

Footnotes

  1. Faptele Apostolilor 15:2 Sau: prezbiteri; peste tot în capitol
  2. Faptele Apostolilor 15:14 Gr.: Simeon; Iacov foloseşte forma aramaică a numelui lui Petru
  3. Faptele Apostolilor 15:17 Vezi Amos 9:11-12 şi nota; este interesant că Iacov foloseşte în acest context textul LXX
  4. Faptele Apostolilor 15:18 Sau: Cel Care face aceste lucruri / cunoscute încă din veşnicie (posibil o aluzie la Is. 45:21)
  5. Faptele Apostolilor 15:20 Este vorba în mod special de mâncarea jertfită idolilor (vezi v. 29)
  6. Faptele Apostolilor 15:20 Adică animale care au fost ucise, dar din care nu a fost vărsat sângele; şi în v. 29
  7. Faptele Apostolilor 15:24 Cele mai importante şi mai timpurii mss nu conţin aceste cuvinte
  8. Faptele Apostolilor 15:34 Cele mai importante şi mai timpurii mss nu conţin acest verset

The Jerusalem Council

15 And some men came down from Judea and[a] began teaching[b] the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.” And after[c] there was no little strife and debate by Paul and Barnabas against them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others from among them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this issue. So they were sent on their way by the church, and[d] passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling in detail the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. And when they[e] arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders, and reported all that God had done with them. But some of those who had believed from the party of the Pharisees stood up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them[f] to observe the law of Moses!”

Both the apostles and the elders assembled to deliberate concerning this matter. And after[g] there was much debate, Peter stood up and[h] said to them, “Men and brothers, you know that in the early days[i] God chose among you through my mouth that the Gentiles should hear the message of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by[j] giving them[k] the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. And he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 So now why are you putting God to the test by[l] placing on the neck of the disciples a yoke that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same[m] way those also are.” 12 And the whole group became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describing all the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. 13 And after they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Men and brothers, listen to me! 14 Simeon has described how God first concerned himself to take from among the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After these things I will return
    and build up again the tent of David that has fallen,
    and the parts of it that had been torn down I will build up again
    and will restore it,
17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord,
    even all the Gentiles[n] who are called by my name,[o]
    says the Lord,[p] who makes these things 18 known from of old.’[q]

19 Therefore I conclude we should not cause difficulty for those from among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but we should write a letter to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood. 21 For Moses has those who proclaim him in every city from ancient generations, because he[r] is read aloud in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”

The Letter from the Council

22 Then it seemed best to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to send men chosen from among them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas who was called Barsabbas and Silas, men who were leaders among the brothers— 23 writing this letter[s] to be delivered by them:[t]

The apostles and the elders, brothers.

To the brothers who are from among the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

Greetings!

24 Because we have heard that some have gone out from among us—to whom we gave no orders—and[u] have thrown you into confusion by words upsetting your minds,[v] 25 it seemed best to us, having reached a unanimous decision,[w] and[x] having chosen men, to send them[y] to you together with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives on behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, and they will report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it seemed best to the Holy Spirit and to us to place on you no greater burden except these necessary things: 29 that you abstain from food sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you[z] keep yourselves from these things[aa] you will do well.

Farewell.

The Letter Is Delivered to Antioch

30 So when[ab] they were sent off, they came down to Antioch, and after[ac] calling together the community, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they[ad] read it[ae] aloud, they rejoiced at the encouragement. 32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers by a long message. 33 And after[af] spending some time, they were sent away in peace from the brothers to those who had sent them.[ag] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord with many others also.

Paul and Barnabas Disagree and Part Company

36 And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas, “Come then,let us return and[ah] visit the brothers in every town in which we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take John who was called Mark along also, 38 but Paul held the opinion they should not take this one along, who departed from them in Pamphylia and did not accompany them in the work. 39 And a sharp disagreement took place, so that they separated from one another. And Barnabas took along Mark and[ai] sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and[aj] departed, after[ak] being commended to the grace of the Lord by the brothers. 41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:1 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“came down”) has been translated as a finite verb
  2. Acts 15:1 The imperfect tense has been translated as ingressive here (“began teaching”)
  3. Acts 15:2 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
  4. Acts 15:3 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“were sent on their way”) has been translated as a finite verb
  5. Acts 15:4 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“arrived”) which is understood as temporal
  6. Acts 15:5 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  7. Acts 15:7 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“was”)
  8. Acts 15:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“stood up”) has been translated as a finite verb
  9. Acts 15:7 Or “from ancient days”
  10. Acts 15:8 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“giving”) which is understood as means
  11. Acts 15:8 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  12. Acts 15:10 Here “by” is supplied as a component of the infinitive (“placing”) which is understood as means
  13. Acts 15:11 Literally “which”
  14. Acts 15:17 The same Greek word can be translated “nations” or “Gentiles” depending on the context
  15. Acts 15:17 Literally “on whom my name has been called on them”
  16. Acts 15:17 A quotation from Amos 9:11–12
  17. Acts 15:18 The last phrase of v. 17 and all of v. 18 is an allusion to Isa 45:21
  18. Acts 15:21 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“is read aloud”) which is understood as causal
  19. Acts 15:23 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  20. Acts 15:23 Literally “by their hand”
  21. Acts 15:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“have gone out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  22. Acts 15:24 Literally “souls”
  23. Acts 15:25 Literally “having become of one mind”
  24. Acts 15:25 Here “and” is supplied in keeping with English style
  25. Acts 15:25 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  26. Acts 15:29 Here “if” is supplied as a component of the participle (“keep”) which is understood as conditional
  27. Acts 15:29 Literally “which things”
  28. Acts 15:30 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“were sent off”) which is understood as temporal
  29. Acts 15:30 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“calling together”) which is understood as temporal
  30. Acts 15:31 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“read … aloud”) which is understood as temporal
  31. Acts 15:31 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  32. Acts 15:33 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“spending”) which is understood as temporal
  33. Acts 15:33 A few later manuscripts add v. 34, “But Silas decided to stay there.”
  34. Acts 15:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“return”) has been translated as a finite verb
  35. Acts 15:39 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took along”) has been translated as a finite verb
  36. Acts 15:40 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“chose”) has been translated as a finite verb
  37. Acts 15:40 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being commended”) which is understood as temporal

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

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.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

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.

The Council at Jerusalem

15 Certain people(A) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:(B) “Unless you are circumcised,(C) according to the custom taught by Moses,(D) you cannot be saved.” This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem(E) to see the apostles and elders(F) about this question. The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia(G) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.(H) This news made all the believers very glad. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.(I)

Then some of the believers who belonged to the party(J) of the Pharisees(K) stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”(L)

The apostles and elders met to consider this question. After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.(M) God, who knows the heart,(N) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,(O) just as he did to us. He did not discriminate between us and them,(P) for he purified their hearts by faith.(Q) 10 Now then, why do you try to test God(R) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke(S) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace(T) of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders(U) God had done among the Gentiles through them.(V) 13 When they finished, James(W) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.(X) 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

16 “‘After this I will return
    and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
    and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
    even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[b](Y)
18     things known from long ago.[c](Z)

19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,(AA) from sexual immorality,(AB) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(AC) 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(AD)

The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers

22 Then the apostles and elders,(AE) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(AF) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(AG) men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:

The apostles and elders, your brothers,

To the Gentile believers in Antioch,(AH) Syria(AI) and Cilicia:(AJ)

Greetings.(AK)

24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(AL) 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives(AM) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(AN) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(AO) and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.(AP) You will do well to avoid these things.

Farewell.

30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas,(AQ) who themselves were prophets,(AR) said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace(AS) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [d] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(AT) the word of the Lord.(AU)

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns(AV) where we preached the word of the Lord(AW) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(AX) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(AY) in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas(AZ) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(BA) 41 He went through Syria(BB) and Cilicia,(BC) strengthening the churches.(BD)

Footnotes

  1. Acts 15:14 Greek Simeon, a variant of Simon; that is, Peter
  2. Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
  3. Acts 15:18 Some manuscripts things’— / 18 the Lord’s work is known to him from long ago
  4. Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.