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Acts 15
1599 Geneva Bible
Acts 15
1599 Geneva Bible
15 1 Certain go about to bring in circumcision at Antioch: 6 About which matter the Apostles consult: 19 and what must be done 23 they declare by letters. 36 Paul and Barnabas 39 are at great variance.
1 Then [a]came down [b]certain from Judea, and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 [c]And when there was great dissension, and disputation by Paul and Barnabas against them, they ordained that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the Apostles and Elders about this question.
3 Thus [d]being brought forth by the Church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought 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 what things God had done by them.
5 But said they, certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which did believe, rose up, saying that it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the Law of Moses.
6 [e]Then the Apostles and Elders came together to look to this matter.
7 And when there had been great disputation, Peter rose up, and said unto them, (A)[f]Ye men and brethren, ye know that a [g]good while ago, among us God chose out me, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the Gospel, and believe.
8 And God which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, in giving unto them the holy Ghost even as he did unto us.
9 And he put no [h]difference between us and them, after that (B)[i]by faith he had purified their hearts.
10 [j]Now therefore, why [k]tempt ye God, to (C)lay a yoke on the disciples’ necks, which neither our fathers, nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, even as they do.
12 [l]Then all the multitude kept silence, and heard Barnabas and Paul, which told what signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by them.
13 And when they held their peace, [m]James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me.
14 [n]Simeon hath declared, how God first did visit the Gentiles, to take of them a people unto his Name.
15 And to this agree the words of the Prophets, as it is written,
16 (D)After this I will return, and will build again the Tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and the ruins thereof will I build again, and I will set it up.
17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom my Name is called, saith the Lord which doeth all these things.
18 From the beginning of the world, God [o]knoweth all his works.
19 [p]Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them of the Gentiles that are turned to God,
20 But that we send unto them, that they abstain themselves from [q]filthiness of idols, and fornication, and that is strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues every Sabbath day.
22 [r]Then it seemed good to the Apostles and Elders with the whole Church to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: to wit, Judas whose surname was Barsabas, and Silas, which were chief men among the brethren,
23 And wrote letters by them after this manner, THE APOSTLES, and the Elders, and the brethren, Unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, send greeting.
24 [s]Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which [t]went out from us, have troubled you with words, and [u]cumbered your minds, saying, Ye must be circumcised and keep the Law: to whom we gave no such commandment,
25 It seemed therefore good to us, when we were come together with one accord, to [send] chosen men unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.
26 Men that have [v]given up their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, which shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 [w]For it seemed good to the [x]holy Ghost, and [y]to us, to lay no more burden upon you, than these [z]necessary things.
29 [aa]That is, that ye abstain from things offered to idols, and blood, and that that is strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
30 [ab]Now when they were departed, they came to Antioch, and after that they had assembled the multitude, they delivered the Epistle,
31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 And Judas and Silas being Prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and strengthened them.
33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in [ac]peace of the brethren unto the Apostles.
34 Notwithstanding Silas thought good to abide there still.
35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching with many others the word of the Lord.
36 ¶ [ad]But after certain days, Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return and visit our brethren in every city, where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 [ae]And Barnabas counseled to take with them John, called Mark.
38 But Paul thought it not meet to take him unto their company, which departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 [af]Then were they so [ag]stirred, that they departed asunder one from the other, so that Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.
40 And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended of the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, establishing the Churches.
Footnotes
- Acts 15:1 The Church is at length troubled with dissension within itself, and the trouble riseth of the proud and stubborn wits of certain evil men: The first strife was concerning the office of Christ, whether we be saved by his only righteousness apprehended by faith, or we have need also to observe the Law.
- Acts 15:1 Epiphanius is of opinion that this was Cerinthus.
- Acts 15:2 Meetings of Congregations were instituted to suppress heresies, whereunto certain were sent by common consent in the name of all.
- Acts 15:3 Courteously and lovingly brought on their way by the Church, that is, by certain appointed by the Church.
- Acts 15:6 The matter is first handled, both parts being heard in the assembly of the Apostles and ancients, and after is communicated with the people.
- Acts 15:7 God himself in calling of the Gentiles which are uncircumcised, did teach that our salvation doth consist in faith without the worship appointed by the Law.
- Acts 15:7 Word for word, of old time, that is, even from the first time that we were commanded to preach the Gospel, and straightways after that the holy Ghost came down upon us.
- Acts 15:9 He put no difference between us and them, as touching the benefit of his free favor.
- Acts 15:9 Christ pronounceth them Blessed, which are pure of heart: and here we are plainly taught that men are made such by faith.
- Acts 15:10 Peter passing from the Ceremonies to the Law itself in general, showeth that none could be saved, if salvation were to be sought for by the Law, and not by grace only in Jesus Christ; because that no man could ever fulfil the Law, neither Patriarch, nor Apostle.
- Acts 15:10 Why tempt ye God, as though he could not save by faith?
- Acts 15:12 A true pattern of a lawful Council, where God’s truth only reigneth.
- Acts 15:13 The son of Alphaeus, who is called the Lord’s brother.
- Acts 15:14 James confirmeth the calling of the Gentiles, out of the word of God, therein agreeing to Peter.
- Acts 15:18 And therefore nothing cometh to pass by fortune, but by God’s appointment.
- Acts 15:19 In matters indifferent we may so far bear with the weakness of our brethren, as they may have time to be instructed.
- Acts 15:20 From sacrifices or from feasts which were kept in idols’ Temples.
- Acts 15:22 In a lawful Synod, neither they which are appointed and chosen Judges, appoint and determine anything tyrannously or upon a lordliness, neither doth the common multitude set themselves tumultuously against them, which sit as Judges by the word of God: as the like order also is held in publishing and ratifying those things which have been so determined and agreed upon.
- Acts 15:24 The Council of Jerusalem concludeth, that they trouble men’s consciences, which teach us to seek salvation in any other means than in Christ only, apprehended by faith, from whence soever they come, and whomsoever they pretend to be author of their vocation.
- Acts 15:24 From our congregation.
- Acts 15:24 A borrowed kind of speech taken of them which pull down that that was built up: and it is a very usual metaphor in the Scriptures: to say the Church is built, for, the Church is planted and stablished.
- Acts 15:26 Have greatly hazarded their lives.
- Acts 15:28 That is, a lawful Council, which the holy Ghost ruleth.
- Acts 15:28 First they made mention of the holy Ghost, that it may not seem to be any man’s work.
- Acts 15:28 Not that men have any authority of themselves, but to show the faithfulness that they used in their ministry and labor.
- Acts 15:28 This was no precise necessity, but in respect of the state of that time, that the Gentiles and the Jews might more peaceably live together with less occasion of quarrel.
- Acts 15:29 Charity is required even in things indifferent.
- Acts 15:30 It is requisite for all people to know certainly what to hold in matters of faith and religion, and not that the Church by ignorance and knowing nothing, should depend upon the pleasure of a few.
- Acts 15:33 This is an Hebrew kind of speech, which is as much to say, as the brethren wished them all prosperous success, and the Church dismissed them with good leave.
- Acts 15:36 Congregations or Churches do easily degenerate, unless they be diligently seen unto, and therefore went these Apostles to oversee such as they had planted, and for this cause also Synods were instituted and appointed.
- Acts 15:37 A lamentable example of discord between excellent men and very great friends, yet not for profane or their private affairs, neither yet for doctrine.
- Acts 15:39 God useth the faults of his servants to the profit and building of his Church, yet we have to take heed, even in the best matters that we pass not measure in our heat.
- Acts 15:39 They were in great heat: but herein we have to consider the force of God’s counsel: for by this means it came to pass, that the doctrine of the Gospel was exercised in many places.
Acts 15
New International Version
Acts 15
New International Version
The Council at Jerusalem
15 Certain people(A) came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers:(B) “Unless you are circumcised,(C) according to the custom taught by Moses,(D) you cannot be saved.” 2 This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem(E) to see the apostles and elders(F) about this question. 3 The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia(G) and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted.(H) This news made all the believers very glad. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.(I)
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party(J) of the Pharisees(K) stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”(L)
6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.(M) 8 God, who knows the heart,(N) showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them,(O) just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them,(P) for he purified their hearts by faith.(Q) 10 Now then, why do you try to test God(R) by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke(S) that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace(T) of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders(U) God had done among the Gentiles through them.(V) 13 When they finished, James(W) spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. 14 Simon[a] has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.(X) 15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 “‘After this I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17 that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord,
even all the Gentiles who bear my name,
says the Lord, who does these things’[b](Y)—
18 things known from long ago.[c](Z)
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,(AA) from sexual immorality,(AB) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.(AC) 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(AD)
The Council’s Letter to Gentile Believers
22 Then the apostles and elders,(AE) with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch(AF) with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas,(AG) men who were leaders among the believers. 23 With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers,
To the Gentile believers in Antioch,(AH) Syria(AI) and Cilicia:(AJ)
Greetings.(AK)
24 We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.(AL) 25 So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul— 26 men who have risked their lives(AM) for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas(AN) to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. 28 It seemed good to the Holy Spirit(AO) and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: 29 You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.(AP) You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
30 So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 32 Judas and Silas,(AQ) who themselves were prophets,(AR) said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace(AS) to return to those who had sent them. [34] [d] 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached(AT) the word of the Lord.(AU)
Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns(AV) where we preached the word of the Lord(AW) and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark,(AX) with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them(AY) in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas(AZ) and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.(BA) 41 He went through Syria(BB) and Cilicia,(BC) strengthening the churches.(BD)
Footnotes
- Acts 15:14 Greek Simeon, a variant of Simon; that is, Peter
- Acts 15:17 Amos 9:11,12 (see Septuagint)
- Acts 15:18 Some manuscripts things’— / 18 the Lord’s work is known to him from long ago
- Acts 15:34 Some manuscripts include here But Silas decided to remain there.
1599 Geneva Bible (GNV) 
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