The Dispute over Circumcision

(Genesis 17:9-27; Leviticus 12:1-8; Joshua 5:1-9)

1And certain persons, having come down from Judaea, taught the brethren, If ye shall not have been circumcised according to the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2A commotion therefore having taken place, and no small discussion on the part of Paul and Barnabas against them, they arranged that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others from amongst them, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 3They therefore, having been set on their way by the assembly, passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of [those of] the nations. And they caused great joy to all the brethren. 4And being arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly, and the apostles, and the elders, and related all that God had wrought with them.

The Council at Jerusalem

5And some of those who were of the sect of the Pharisees, who believed, rose up from among [them], saying that they ought to circumcise them and enjoin them to keep the law of Moses.

6And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter. 7And much discussion having taken place, Peter, standing up, said to them, Brethren, ye know that from the earliest days God amongst you chose that the nations by my mouth should hear the word of the glad tidings and believe. 8And the heart-knowing God bore them witness, giving [them] the Holy Spirit as to us also, 9and put no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith. 10Now therefore why tempt ye God, by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11But we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same manner as they also.

12And all the multitude kept silence and listened to Barnabas and Paul relating all the signs and wonders which God had wrought among the nations by them.

13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, listen to me: 14Simon has related how God first visited to take out of [the] nations a people for his name. 15And with this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written:

16After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David which is fallen, and will rebuild its ruins, and will set it up,

17so that the residue of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations on whom my name is invoked, saith [the] Lord, who does these things

18known from eternity. 19Wherefore I judge, not to trouble those who from the nations turn to God; 20but to write to them to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. 21For Moses, from generations of old, has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.

The Letter to the Gentile Believers

22Then it seemed good to the apostles and to the elders, with the whole assembly, to send chosen men from among them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, Judas called Barsabas and Silas, leading men among the brethren, 23having by their hand written [thus]: The apostles, and the elders, and the brethren, to the brethren who are from among [the] nations at Antioch, and [in] Syria and Cilicia, greeting: 24Inasmuch as we have heard that some who went out from amongst us have troubled you by words, upsetting your souls, [saying that ye must be circumcised and keep the law]; to whom we gave no commandment; 25it seemed good to us, having arrived at a common judgment, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have given up their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves also will tell you by word [of mouth] the same things. 28For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: 29to abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication; keeping yourselves from which ye will do well. Farewell.

The Believers at Antioch Rejoice

30They therefore, being let go, came to Antioch, and having gathered the multitude delivered to [them] the epistle. 31And having read it, they rejoiced at the consolation. 32And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with much discourse, and strengthened them. 33And having passed some time [there], they were let go in peace from the brethren to those who sent them. 34 35And Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and announcing the glad tidings, with many others also, of the word of the Lord.

Paul's Second Missionary Journey

(Acts 13:1-3; Acts 18:23-28)

36But after certain days Paul said to Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city where we have announced the word of the Lord, [and see] how they are getting on. 37And Barnabas proposed to take with [them] John also, called Mark; 38but Paul thought it not well to take with them him who had abandoned them, [going back] from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39There arose therefore very warm feeling, so that they separated from one another; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed away to Cyprus;

40but Paul having chosen Silas went forth, committed by the brethren to the grace of God. 41And he passed through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the assemblies.