The Jerusalem Council

6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: f“Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, gwho knows the heart, 1acknowledged them by hgiving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 iand made no distinction between us and them, jpurifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore, why do you test God kby putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But lwe believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus 2Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”

12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had mworked through them among the Gentiles. 13 And after they had 3become silent, nJames answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me: 14 oSimon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16 ‘After pthis I will return

And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;

I will rebuild its ruins,

And I will set it up;

17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,

Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,

Says the 4Lord who does all these things.’

18 5“Known to God from eternity are all His works. 19 Therefore qI judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who rare turning to God, 20 but that we swrite to them to abstain tfrom things polluted by idols, ufrom 6sexual immorality, vfrom things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, wbeing read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”