Acts 15
The Jerusalem Council
1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. References Moses: Acts 15:1
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. Parallel theme: Acts 10:20, 15:2
8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; Holy: Acts 2:4, 10:47. Witness: Acts 14:3. Parallel theme: Acts 1:24, Revelation 2:23
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore why tempt ye GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally., to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? References God: Matthew 4:7, Galatians 4:9. Parallel theme: Exodus 17:2, Isaiah 7:12, Matthew 23:4, Galatians 5:1, Hebrews 3:9, 9:9 +3
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. References God: Acts 14:27, 15:4. Parallel theme: John 4:48
13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Peace: Acts 12:17
14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. References God: 2 Peter 1:1. Parallel theme: Isaiah 43:21
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 That the residue of men might seek after the LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint., and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. References Lord: Jeremiah 14:9, 16:19, Zechariah 2:11, Malachi 1:11. Parallel theme: Genesis 22:18, 49:10, Isaiah 11:10, 43:7, 65:1, Hosea 2:23 +5
18 Known unto GodGod: Θεός (Theos). The Greek Theos (Θεός) refers to deity, used both for the one true God and false gods. Context determines whether it denotes the Father specifically or the Godhead generally. are all his works from the beginning of the world. References God: Numbers 23:19, Ephesians 3:9. Parallel theme: Acts 17:26, Matthew 13:35, Ephesians 1:4, 1:11, 1 Peter 1:20 +2
19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. Blood: Acts 15:29, 21:25, Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 3:17. Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 6:9, 6:18, 8:1, Revelation 2:14, 2:20, 9:20 +5
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, References Paul: Acts 15:2, 15:22. Love: 2 Peter 3:15. Good: Luke 1:3. Parallel theme: Acts 1:14
26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint. Jesus Christ. Parallel theme: Acts 13:50, 14:19, Judges 5:18, 1 Corinthians 15:30
27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. Parallel theme: Acts 15:22
28 For it seemed good to the HolyHoly: ἅγιος (Hagios). The Greek hagios (ἅγιος) denotes holiness—moral purity and separation unto God. Believers are called 'saints' (hagioi), those set apart for God through Christ's sanctifying work. Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from bloodBlood: αἷμα (Haima). The Greek haima (αἷμα) denotes blood. Christ's blood 'cleanseth us from all sin' (1 John 1:7), securing 'eternal redemption' (Hebrews 9:12) through His once-for-all sacrifice. Believers have been 'purchased with his own blood' (Acts 20:28)., and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: Parallel theme: Acts 6:2, 16:4
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. Prophecy: Acts 13:1. Parallel theme: Acts 11:23, 14:22, 1 Peter 5:1, 5:10, 5:12
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. Peace: Acts 16:36, Genesis 26:29, 1 Corinthians 16:11, Hebrews 11:31
34 Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the wordWord: λόγος (Logos). The Greek Logos (Λόγος) means word, reason, or message—the rational principle underlying reality. John identifies Christ as the eternal Logos: 'In the beginning was the Word' (John 1:1). of the Lord, with many others also.
Paul and Barnabas Separate
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LordLord: Κύριος (Kurios). The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint., and see how they do. Word: Exodus 4:18. Parallel theme: Acts 13:4, 13:51, 14:1, 14:6, 2 Corinthians 11:28
37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; Parallel theme: Acts 4:36, Ecclesiastes 7:20, Colossians 4:10, James 3:2
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. Grace: Acts 11:23, 14:26, 1 Corinthians 15:10. References Paul: Acts 15:22
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Parallel theme: Acts 6:9, 15:23, 15:32, 18:18, 21:3, Galatians 1:21