Acts 15:2–30

²Paul and Barnabas had a fierce dispute with these men. So Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were sent to Jerusalem to see the apostles and spiritual leaders^aabout this claim. 

³The church sent Paul and Barnabas ⸤to Jerusalem⸥. As they were going through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story of how non-Jewish people were turning to God. This story brought great joy to all the believers. 

⁴The church in Jerusalem, the apostles, and the spiritual leaders welcomed Paul and Barnabas when they arrived. Paul and Barnabas reported everything that God had done through them. ⁵But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “People who are not Jewish must be circumcised and ordered to follow Moses’ Teachings.” 

⁶The apostles and spiritual leaders met to consider this statement. ⁷After a lot of debating, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know what happened some time ago. God chose me so that people who aren’t Jewish could hear the Good News and believe. ⁸God, who knows everyone’s thoughts, showed that he approved of people who aren’t Jewish by giving them the Holy Spirit as he gave the Holy Spirit to us. ⁹God doesn’t discriminate between Jewish and non-Jewish people. He has cleansed non-Jewish people through faith as he has cleansed us Jews. ¹⁰So why are you testing God? You’re putting a burden on the disciples, a burden neither our ancestors nor we can carry. ¹¹We certainly believe that the Lord Jesus saves us the same way that he saves them—through his kindness.”^b

¹²The whole crowd was silent. They listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the miracles and amazing things that God had done through them among non-Jewish people. 

¹³After they finished speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me. ¹⁴Simon has explained how God first showed his concern by taking from non-Jewish people those who would honor his name. ¹⁵This agrees with what the prophets said. Scripture says, 

¹⁶‘Afterwards, I will return. 

I will set up David’s fallen tent again. 

I will restore its ruined places again. 

I will set it up again 

¹⁷so that the survivors and all the people who aren’t Jewish 

over whom my name is spoken, 

may search for the Lord, declares the Lord. 

¹⁸He is the one who will do these things that have always been known!’ 

¹⁹“So I’ve decided that we shouldn’t trouble non-Jewish people who are turning to God. ²⁰Instead, we should write a letter telling them to keep away from things polluted by false gods, from sexual sins, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from eating bloody meat. ²¹After all, Moses’ words have been spread to every city for generations. His teachings are read in synagogues on every day of rest—a holy day.” 

²²Then the apostles, the spiritual leaders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to the city of Antioch. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, who were leaders among the believers. ²³They wrote this letter for them to deliver: 

From the apostles and the spiritual leaders, your brothers. 

To their non-Jewish brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. 

Dear brothers and sisters, 

²⁴We have heard that some individuals who came from us have confused you with statements that disturb you. We did not authorize these men ⸤to speak⸥. ²⁵So we have come to a unanimous decision that we should choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul. ²⁶Barnabas and Paul have dedicated their lives to our Lord, the one named Jesus Christ. ²⁷We have sent Judas and Silas to report to you on our decision. ²⁸The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to place any additional burdens on you. Do only what is necessary ²⁹by keeping away from food sacrificed to false gods, from eating bloody meat, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual sins. If you avoid these things, you will be doing what’s right. 

Farewell! 

³⁰So the men were sent on their way and arrived in the city of Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter.