1 A nd certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

2 T herefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

3 S o, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.

4 A nd 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 B ut 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 N ow the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

7 A nd when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “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 S o God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,

9 a nd made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10 N ow therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11 B ut we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 T hen all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

13 A nd after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:

14 S imon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

15 A nd with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘ After 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 S o that the rest of mankind may seek the L ord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’

18 “ Known to God from eternity are all His works.

19 T herefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

20 b ut that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

21 F or Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” The Jerusalem Decree

22 T hen 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 Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23 T hey 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 S ince we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “ You must be circumcised and keep the law” —to whom we gave no such commandment—

25 i t seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26 m en who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 W e have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.

28 F or it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

29 t hat you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. Continuing Ministry in Syria

30 S o when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

31 W hen they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

32 N ow Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.

33 A nd after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.

34 H owever, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.

35 P aul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. Division over John Mark

36 T hen 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 N ow Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.

38 B ut Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.

39 T hen the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

40 b ut Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.

41 A nd he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.