Acts

The Council at Jerusalem

Some individuals who had come from Judea to Antioch were teaching the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Because of this, there was trouble, and Paul and Barnabas had heated disputes with them. For Paul told the people to stay as they were when they believed. Finally, those who had come from Jerusalem suggested that Paul, Barnabas, and some others go to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles and elders.

They were sent on their way by the Church. As they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they reported how the non-Jews had turned to God, and there was great joy among all the brothers and sisters.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, to whom they shared everything God had done through them.

Some believers, however, who belonged to the party of the Pharisees, stood up and said that non-Jewish men must be circumcised and instructed to keep the law of Moses.

So the apostles and elders gathered together to discuss this matter.

As the discussions grew more intense, Peter stood up and said to them:

“Brothers, you know that from the beginning, God chose me among you, so that non-Jews could hear the Good News from me and believe.

God, who can read hearts, put himself on their side by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.

He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts through faith.

So, why do you want to test God? Why do you place a burden on the disciples that neither our ancestors nor we could carry?

We truly believe that we are saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.

The entire assembly remained silent as they listened to Paul and Barnabas share all the miraculous signs and wonders that God had performed through them among the non-Jews.

After they finished, James spoke up:

“Listen to me, brothers.

Symeon has just explained how God first showed his care by taking a people for himself from non-Jewish nations.

And the words of the prophets agree with this, for Scripture says,

After this, I will return

and rebuild David’s fallen booth;

I will restore its ruins and set it up again.

Then, the rest of humanity

will seek the Lord,

and all nations will be consecrated to my Name.

So says the Lord,

who is today doing what he decided

from the beginning.

Because of this, I believe we should not create obstacles for non-Jews seeking God.

Let us simply instruct them not to eat food that is unclean because it has been offered to idols; to avoid prohibited marriages; and not to eat the flesh of animals that have been strangled or any blood.

For, from the earliest times, Moses has been taught everywhere, and every Sabbath his laws are remembered.

Then the apostles and elders, along with the entire Church, decided to select representatives from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. These were Judas, known as Barsabbas, and Silas, both prominent leaders among the brothers.

They brought with them the following letter:

“Greetings from the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the believers of non-Jewish descent in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.

We have heard that some individuals from among us have worried you with their discussions and disturbed your peace of mind. They were not appointed by us.

But now, it seems right to us, in an assembly, to choose representatives and to send them to you, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

who have dedicated their lives to serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are sending you, then, Judas and Silas, who will personally convey these instructions to you.

We, with the Holy Spirit, have decided not to impose any burdens on you except what is essential:

You are to abstain from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from prohibited marriages. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.

After saying goodbye, the messengers went to Antioch, where they gathered the community and handed them the letter.

When they read the message, everyone was excited about the encouragement it provided.

Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, spoke at length to encourage and strengthen them.

After they had spent some time there, the believers bade the messengers farewell in peace;

[[Silas, however, preferred to stay with them, and only Judas left.]]

So Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others the word of God.

Paul and Barnabas Part Ways

After a few days, Paul said to Barnabas:

“Let’s go back and visit the believers in every town where we shared the Lord’s message, to see how they are doing.”

Barnabas wanted to take with them John, also called Mark,

but Paul did not think it right to take him, since he had not stayed with them to the end of their mission, but had turned back and left them in Pamphylia.

Such a sharp disagreement resulted that the two finally separated. Barnabas took Mark along with him and sailed for Cyprus.

Paul, for his part, chose Silas and was praised by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.

He traveled across Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches there.