DISPUTE IN ANTIOCH

15 Some menac came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcisedad according to the custom prescribed by Moses,ae you cannot be saved.” 2 After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue.a 3 When they had been sent on their way by the church,b they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters.

4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them.c 5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL

6 The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you,A that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us.d 9 He made no distinction between us and them,e cleansing their hearts by faith.f 10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necksg that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the graceh of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”

12 The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.i 13 After they stopped speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me.