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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Acts 15 ISV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/acts/15.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/acts/15-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Acts 15</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../acts/14.htm" title="Acts 14">◄</a> Acts 15 <a href="../acts/16.htm" title="Acts 16">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/acts/15.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Controversy about the Law</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>Then some men came down from Judea and started to teach the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the Law of Moses, you can’t be saved.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Paul and Barnabas had quite a dispute and argument with them. So Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to confer with the apostles and elders about this question. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>They were sent on their way by the church, and as they were going through Phoenicia and Samaria they told of the conversion of the gentiles and brought great joy to all the brothers. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything that God had done through them. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The gentiles<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:5 Lit. They">a</a></span> must be circumcised and ordered to keep the Law of Moses.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>So the apostles and the elders met to look into this claim. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>After a lengthy debate, Peter stood up and told them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days, God chose me to be the one among you through whom the gentiles would hear the message of the gospel and believe. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>God, who knows everyone’s heart, showed them he approved by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>He made no distinction between them and us, because of their faith-cleansed hearts. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>So why do you test God by putting on the disciples’ neck a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we could carry? <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>We certainly believe that it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:11 Or Christ">b</a></span> that we are saved, just as they are.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>The whole crowd was silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the gentiles. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>After Paul and Barnabas<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:13 Lit. After they">c</a></span> had finished speaking, James responded, “Brothers, listen to me: <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Simeon<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:14 i.e. Simon Peter">d</a></span> has explained how God first showed his concern for the gentiles by taking from among them a people for his name. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>‘“After this, I will come back</p> <p class="poetry2">and set up David’s fallen tent again.</p> <p class="poetry2">I will restore its ruined places</p> <p class="poetry2">and set it up again</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>so that the rest of the people may search for the Lord,</p> <p class="poetry2">including all the gentiles who are called by my name,’</p> <p class="poetry2">declares the Lord.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:17 MT citation source reads LORD">e</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">‘He is the one who has been doing these things</p> <p class="poetry1 marginbot"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>that have been known from long ago.’<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:18 Cf. Amos 9:11-12; Isa 45:21">f</a></span> </p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>“Therefore, I have decided that we should not trouble these gentiles who are turning to God. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Instead, we should write to them to keep away from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from anything strangled,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:20 Other mss. lack from anything strangled">g</a></span> and from blood.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:20 i.e. uncooked meat">h</a></span> 21 <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>After all, Moses has had people to proclaim him in every city for generations, and on every Sabbath his books are<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:21 Lit. Sabbath he is">i</a></span> read aloud in the synagogues.”</p> <p class="heading">The Reply of the Church</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>Then the apostles, the elders, and the whole church decided to choose some of their men to send with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. These were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leaders among the brothers. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>They wrote this letter for them to deliver:<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:23 Lit. They wrote through their hand">j</a></span> </p> <p class="reg margintop">“From:<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:23 The Gk. lacks From">k</a></span> The apostles and the elders, your brothers</p> <p class="reg">To: Their gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.</p> <p class="reg margintop marginbot">Greetings. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>We have heard that some men, coming from us without instructions from us, have said things to trouble you and have unsettled you.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:24 Other mss. read you by saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law.’">l</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>So we have unanimously decided to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:26 Or Christ">m</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>We have therefore sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any burden but these essential requirements: <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>to keep away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:29 i.e. uncooked meat">n</a></span> from anything strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you avoid these things, you will do well. Goodbye.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>So the men were sent on their way and arrived in Antioch. They gathered the congregation together and delivered the letter. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>When the people<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:31 Lit. they">o</a></span> read it, they were pleased with how the letter encouraged them. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>Then Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, said a lot to encourage and strengthen the brothers. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>After staying there for some time, they were sent back with a greeting<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:33 Lit. sent back with peace">p</a></span> from the brothers to those who had sent them.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:33 Other mss. read sent them. But it seemed good to Silas to remain there, and Judas went back alone.">q</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>Both Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch to teach and proclaim the word of the Lord, as did many others.</p> <p class="heading">Paul and Barnabas Disagree</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>A few days later, Paul told Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they’re doing.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>Barnabas wanted to take along John, who was called Mark, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>but Paul did not think it was right to take along the man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and who had not gone with them into the work. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>The disagreement was so sharp that they parted ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>while Paul chose Silas and left after the brothers had entrusted him to the grace of the Lord.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="15:40 Other mss. read of God">r</a></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/acts/15-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>He went through Syria and Cilicia and strengthened the churches.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 15:5 Lit. <i>They</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 15:11 Or <i>Christ</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 15:13 Lit. <i>After they</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 15:14 i.e. Simon Peter<br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 15:17 MT citation source reads <i>LORD</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 15:18 Cf. Amos 9:11-12; Isa 45:21<br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 15:20 Other mss. lack <i>from anything strangled</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 15:20 i.e. uncooked meat<br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 15:21 Lit. <i>Sabbath he is</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 15:23 Lit. <i>They wrote through their hand</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 15:23 The Gk. lacks <i>From</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 15:24 Other mss. read <i>you by saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law.’</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 15:26 Or <i>Christ</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 15:29 i.e. uncooked meat<br /><span class="fnb">o</span> 15:31 Lit. <i>they</i><br /><span class="fnb">p</span> 15:33 Lit. <i>sent back with peace</i><br /><span class="fnb">q</span> 15:33 Other mss. read <i>sent them. But it seemed good to Silas to remain there, and Judas went back alone.</i><br /><span class="fnb">r</span> 15:40 Other mss. read <i>of God</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../acts/14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../acts/16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/acts/15-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table><br /><br /><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></td></tr></table></div><br /><br /> </div><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/botmenubhnm2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe><div align="center"><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>