AND certain persons coming down from Judea taught the brethren, That if
ye are not circumcised according to the ordinances of Moses, ye cannot
be saved. (2)There being therefore no small contention and dispute
maintained by Paul and Barnabas against them, they determined that Paul
and Barnabas, and certain others of their body, should go up to the
apostles and presbyters at Jerusalem, for the decision of this
question. (3)They therefore being sent on their way by the church,
passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, giving a particular narrative of
the conversion of the Gentiles: and they gave great joy to all the
brethren. (4)Then when they arrived at Jerusalem, they were cordially
received by the church, and the apostles and presbyters, and they
related how great things God had done by them. (5)But up rose some of
the pharisaical sect, who professed the faith, insisting, That it was
necessary to circumcise them, and to enjoin them to observe the law of
Moses. (6)Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider
of this matter. (7)When after much dispute, Peter arose, and said unto
them,
Men and brethren, ye know that a considerable time ago God chose among
us, by my mouth, that the Gentiles should hear the gospel-word, and
believe. (8)And God, who is the discerner of the heart, bore them
witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as to us; (9)and made no
difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith.
(10)Why then now tempt ye God, by imposing a yoke on the neck of the
disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? (11)But
we believe that we shall be saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, in the same way as they. (12)Then the whole multitude kept
silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, relating how great signs
and miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
(13)Now when they ceased speaking, James replied, saying, Men and
brethren, hear me: (14)Simon hath fully related, how at first God
graciously looked upon _the Gentiles_, to take from them a people for
his name. (15)And in accord with this are the words of the prophets; as
it is written, (16)"After this will I return, and build again the
tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and re-edify what hath been dug up
from the foundation, and will set it upright again: (17)that the
residue of men may diligently seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles,
among whom my name is invoked, even among them, saith the Lord, who
doth all these things[46]." (18)Known unto God from the beginning are
all his works. (19)Therefore I am decided, that we give no unnecessary
disquietude to those who from the heathen have turned to God: (20)but
that we write to them, that they abstain from pollutions of idol
_sacrifices_, and from whoredom, and from what is strangled, and from
blood. (21)For Moses for ages past in every city hath those who preach
him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath-day.
(22)Then it was determined by the apostles and presbyters with the
whole church, to send select men from themselves unto Antioch with Paul
and Barnabas; Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the
brethren; (23)writing a letter by their hand, in these words:
The apostles and presbyters and the brethren, to the brethren from
among the Gentiles which are at Antioch, and in Syria, and Cilicia,
greeting: (24)Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain persons who went
out from us have disturbed you with discourses, unsettling your minds,
insisting, that you should be circumcised, and observe the law: to whom
we gave no such charge: (25)it hath seemed fit to us, assembled
unanimously, to send unto you select men with our beloved Barnabas and
Paul, (26)men who have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ. (27)We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, and they by
word of mouth will tell you the same things. (28)For it hath seemed
good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no other burden
except these things which are of absolute necessity; (29)that ye
abstain from eating whatever is sacrificed to idols, and from blood,
and from what is strangled, and from whoredom: from which things
carefully preserving yourselves, ye shall do well. Farewell.
(30)They then being thus dispatched, came to Antioch: and assembling
the multitude, they delivered the letter: (31)and when they had read
it, they rejoiced in the consolation _of it_. (32)Then Judas and
Silas, being also themselves prophets, exhorted the brethren, in many a
discourse, and established them. (33)And having stayed their time, they
were dismissed in peace from the brethren to the apostles. (34)However
Silas thought proper to abide there. (35)Paul also and Barnabas abode
at Antioch, teaching and preaching, with many others also, the word of
the Lord.
(36)Then after certain days said Paul to Barnabas, Let us now return
and visit our brethren in every city among whom we have preached the
word of the Lord, that we may see how they hold on. (37)Now Barnabas
had resolved to take with him John, whose surname is Mark. (38)But Paul
did not think him a fit person to take with them, who had withdrawn
from them from Pamphylia, and no longer went with them to the service.
(39)So there grew up a sudden quarrel, insomuch that they separated
from each other: and Barnabas, taking Mark with him, sailed away to
Cyprus: (40)but Paul selecting Silas, departed, being commended by the
brethren to the favour of God. (41)And he passed through Syria and
Cilicia, confirming the churches.