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Acts 15 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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Dispute in Antioch
Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:1 -

Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:2 -

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.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:3 -

When they had been sent on their way by the church, 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.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:4 -

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.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:5 -

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
Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:6 -

The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:7 -

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,[fn] that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:8 -

“And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:9 -

“He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:10 -

“Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:11 -

“On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:12 -

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.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:13 -

After they stopped speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:14 -

“Simeon[fn] has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:15 -

“And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:16 -

“After these things I will return

and rebuild David’s fallen tent.

I will rebuild its ruins

and set it up again,

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:17 -

“so that the rest of humanity

may seek the Lord —

even all the Gentiles

who are called by my name —

declares the Lord

who makes these things 

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:18 -

“known from long ago.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:19 -

“Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God,

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:20 -

“but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:21 -

“For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”

The Letter to the Gentile Believers
Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:22 -

Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:23 -

They wrote:

“From the apostles and the elders, your brothers,

To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:

Greetings.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:24 -

“Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:25 -

“we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul,

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:26 -

“who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:27 -

“Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:28 -

“For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision ​— ​and ours ​— ​not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements:

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:29 -

“that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things.

Farewell.”

The Outcome of the Jerusalem Letter
Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:30 -

So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:31 -

When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:32 -

Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:33 -

After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them.[fn][fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:35 -

But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord.

Paul and Barnabas Part Company
Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:36 -

After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.”

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:37 -

Barnabas wanted to take along John who was called Mark.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:38 -

But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:39 -

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed off to Cyprus.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:40 -

But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord.

Unchecked Copy BoxAct 15:41 -

He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

CSB Footnotes
Other mss read us
Simon (Peter)
Other mss read says the Lord who does all these things. Known to God from long ago are all his works.
Other mss add by saying, ‘Be circumcised and keep the law,’
Other mss read the brothers to the apostles
Other mss add v. 34: But Silas decided to stay there.
BLB Footnotes
Some Greek manuscripts exclude this verse. The CSB related footnote for 15:33 states:
Other mss add v. 34: But Silas decided to stay there.  
CSB

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Additional information is provided here.

For more information on this translation, see the CSB Preface.

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