Acts 15

The Council at Jerusalem

1 Some dudes from Judea pulled up to Antioch saying, “If you all are not circumcised like Moses taught, you cannot be saved.”

2 Paul and Barnabas were not having it. They got into a big argument with these guys. So, the church decided to send Paul, Barnabas, and some others to Jerusalem to holla at the apostles and elders about the issue.

3 On their way, they hit up the churches in Phoenicia and Samaria, telling everyone how the Gentiles were turning to God. The news had folks hyped.

4 When they got to Jerusalem, the church, apostles, and elders welcomed them. Paul and Barnabas told them everything God had been doing through them.

5 But some believers from the Pharisee gang stood up and said, “Gentiles need to get circumcised and follow the law of Moses!”

6 So, the apostles and elders had a meeting to settle this once and for all.

7 After a lot of back and forth, Peter got up and said, “You all know God chose me to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and they believed.

8 God, who knows hearts, showed He accepted them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just like He gave us.

9 He did not treat them any different than us. He made their hearts pure through faith.

10 So why are we trying to test God by putting a heavy burden on them, a burden we and our ancestors could not even carry,

11 Nah, we believe we are all saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just like they are.”

12 The room got quiet as Paul and Barnabas shared the crazy miracles and signs God had done through them among the Gentiles.

13 After they spoke, James (Jesus’ brother) stood up and said, “Listen, fam.

14 Peter just told us how God first reached out to the Gentiles to call a people for Himself.

15 This lines up with what the prophets said:

16 ‘After this, I will return and rebuild David’s fallen house. I will restore it

17 So the rest of humanity can seek the Lord, including the Gentiles I have called to be My own.’

18 This is what the Lord said long ago, and it is still true.”

19 “So here is my take: We should not make it hard for Gentiles who are turning to God.

20 Instead, let us tell them to stay away from food sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, meat from strangled animals, and blood.

21 These laws of Moses have been preached in synagogues for generations, so they already know about them.”

The Letter to Gentile Believers

22 The apostles, elders, and the whole church agreed to send Paul, Barnabas, and two leaders, Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, to Antioch with an official letter.

23 Here is the letter:

24 “We heard that some folks from our group have been stirring you all up with their teachings. That was not authorized by us.

25 So we all agreed to choose representatives and send them to you all with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.

26 These men have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 We also sent Judas and Silas, who will tell you all these same things face-to-face.

28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to load you all down with anything beyond these essentials:

29 Stay away from food sacrificed to idols, blood, meat from strangled animals, and sexual immorality. If you do this, you are good. Peace out.”

30 Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas went to Antioch, gathered the church, and read the letter.

31 The believers were hyped about the encouragement.

32 Judas and Silas, who were prophets, spoke encouraging words to strengthen the believers.

33 After some time, they were sent back to Jerusalem with the church’s blessing.

34 But Silas decided to remain there.

35 But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.

Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas

36 Some time later, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and check on the churches we planted to see how they are doing.”

37 Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark,

38 But Paul was not feeling it since Mark had ditched them in Pamphylia.

39 They got into a big argument over it and decided to go separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

40 Paul chose Silas, and after the church prayed over them, they headed out, rolling with the grace of the Lord.

41 Paul and Silas traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.