Acts 15:10-41

10Since this is the case, why are you 1putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which 2neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? 11But we believe that we are saved through 3the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”

12All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were 4relating all the 5signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13After they stopped speaking, 67James responded, saying, “8Brothers, listen to me. 149Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles. 15The words of 10the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:16‘11After these things 12I will return, And I will rebuild the fallen 13tabernacle of David, And I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it,1714So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, And all the Gentiles 1516who are called by My name,’1817Says the Lord, who 1819makes these things known from long ago. 19Therefore, it is 20my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God, 20but that we write to them that they abstain from 2122things contaminated by idols, from 23acts of sexual immorality, from 24what has been 25strangled, and from blood. 21For 26from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since 27he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22Then it seemed good to 28the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to 29Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and 30Silas, leading men among 31the brothers, 23and they 32sent this letter with them: “33The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to 34the brothers and sisters in 35Antioch, 36Syria, and 37Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: 38Greetings. 24Since we have heard that 39some 40of our number to whom we gave no instruction have 41confused you by their 42teaching, upsetting your souls, 2543it seemed good to us, having 44become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have 4546risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore, we have sent 47Judas and 48Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth. 28For 49it seemed good to 50the Holy Spirit and to 51us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29that you abstain from 52things sacrificed to idols, from 53blood, from 54things strangled, and from 55acts of sexual immorality; 56if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

30So when they were sent away, 57they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the 58congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its 59encouragement. 3260Judas and 61Silas, also being 62prophets themselves, 63encouraged and strengthened 64the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message. 33After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters 65in peace to those who had 66sent them out.67 35But 68Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and 69preaching 70the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36After some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s return and visit the brothers and sisters in 71every city in which we proclaimed 72the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37Barnabas wanted to take 73John, called Mark, along with them also. 38But Paul was of the opinion that they should not take along with them this man who had 74deserted them 75in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39Now it turned into such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took 76Mark with him and sailed away to 77Cyprus. 40But Paul chose 78Silas, and left after being 79entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41And he was traveling through 80Syria and 81Cilicia, strengthening the churches.