A dissension about circumcision. The decision and letter of the council
of Jerusalem.
15:1. And some, coming down from Judea, taught the brethren: That,
except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be
saved.
15:2. And when Paul and Barnabas had no small contest with them, they
determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of the other side
should go up to the apostles and priests to Jerusalem, about this
question.
15:3. They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed
through Phenice and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles.
And they caused great joy to all the brethren.
15:4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received by the
church and by the apostles and ancients, declaring how great things God
had done with them.
15:5. But there arose of the sect of the Pharisees some that believed,
saying: They must be circumcised and be commanded to observe the law of
Moses.
15:6. And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this
matter.
15:7. And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to
them: Men, brethren, you know that in former days God made choice among
us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel
and believe.
15:8. And God, who knoweth the hearts, gave testimony, giving unto them
the Holy Ghost, as well as to us:
15:9. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts
by faith.
15:10. Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of
the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
15:11. But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be
saved, in like manner as they also.
15:12. And all the multitude held their peace: and they heard Barnabas
and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the
Gentiles by them.
15:13. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying:
Men, brethren, hear me.
15:14. Simon hath related how God first visited to take to the
Gentiles, a people to his name.
15:15. And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:
15:16. After these things I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle
of David, which is fallen down: and the ruins thereof I will rebuild.
And I will set it up:
15:17. That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations
upon whom my name is invoked, saith the Lord, who doth these things.
15:18. To the Lord was his own work known from the beginning of the
world.
15:19. For which cause, judge that they who from among the Gentiles are
converted to God are not to be disquieted:
15:20. But that we write unto them, that they refrain themselves from
the pollutions of idols and from fornication and from things strangled
and from blood.
15:21. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him in
the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.
15:22. Then it pleased the apostles and ancients, with the whole
church, to choose men of their own company and to send to Antioch with
Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas, who was surnamed Barsabas, and Silas,
chief men among the brethren.
15:23. Writing by their hands: The apostles and ancients, brethren, to
the brethren of the Gentiles that are at Antioch and in Syria and
Cilicia, greeting.
15:24. Forasmuch as we have heard that some going out from us have
troubled you with words, subverting your souls, to whom we gave no
commandment:
15:25. It hath seemed good to us, being assembled together, to choose
out men and to send them unto you, with our well beloved Barnabas and
Paul:
15:26. Men that have given their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
15:27. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also
will, by word of mouth, tell you the same things.
15:28. For it hath seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us to lay no
further burden upon you than these necessary things:
15:29. That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood
and from things strangled and from fornication: from which things
keeping yourselves, you shall do well. Fare ye well.
From blood, and from things strangled. . .The use of these things,
though of their own nature indifferent, was here prohibited, to bring
the Jews more easily to admit of the society of the Gentiles; and to
exercise the latter in obedience. But this prohibition was but
temporary, and has long since ceased to oblige; more especially in the
western churches.
15:30. They therefore, being dismissed, went down to Antioch and,
gathering together the multitude, delivered the epistle.
15:31. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
15:32. But Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, with many
words comforted the brethren and confirmed them.
15:33. And after they had spent some time there, they were let go with
peace by the brethren unto them that had sent them.
15:34. But it seemed good unto Silas to remain there: and Judas alone
departed to Jerusalem.
15:35. And Paul and Barnabas continued at Antioch, teaching and
preaching, with many others, the word of the Lord.
15:36. And after some days, Paul said to Barnabas: Let us return and
visit our brethren in all the cities wherein we have preached the word
of the Lord, to see how they do.
15:37. And Barnabas would have taken with them John also, that was
surnamed Mark.
15:38. But Paul desired that he (as having departed from them out of
Pamphylia and not gone with them to the work) might not be received.
15:39. And there arose a dissension so that they departed one from
another. And Barnabas indeed, taking Mark, sailed to Cyprus.
15:40. But Paul, choosing Silas, departed, being delivered by the
brethren to the grace of God.
15:41. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches,
commanding them to keep the precepts of the apostles and the ancients.