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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/acts/15-8.htm" title="Acts 15:8">◄</a> Acts 15:9 <a href="/acts/15-10.htm" title="Acts 15:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/acts/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/acts/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/acts/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He made no distinction between both us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/acts/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/acts/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/acts/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/acts/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/acts/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/acts/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/acts/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith [in Jesus].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/acts/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/acts/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/acts/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/acts/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God treated them in the same way that he treated us. They put their faith in him, and he made their hearts pure. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/acts/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/acts/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />God doesn't discriminate between Jewish and non-Jewish people. He has cleansed non-Jewish people through faith as he has cleansed us Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/acts/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He made no difference between us and them; he forgave their sins because they believed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/acts/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He made no distinction between them and us, because of their faith-cleansed hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/acts/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/acts/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and he made no distinction between them and us, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/acts/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/acts/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/acts/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/acts/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and also put no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/acts/15.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He made no distinction between both us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/acts/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and did put no difference also between us and them, by the faith having purified their hearts;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/acts/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And separated nothing between us and also them, by faith having purified their hearts.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/acts/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/acts/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he distinguished nothing between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/acts/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/acts/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and in cleansing their hearts by faith he has made no distinction between them and us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/acts/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he did not discriminate between us and them, because he purified their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/acts/15.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“And he made no distinction between us and them, because he purified their hearts by faith.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/acts/15.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />and he made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/acts/15.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/acts/15.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />and made no difference betwixt either us or them, purifying their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/acts/15.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />making no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by the faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/acts/15.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/acts/15.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />and He made no distinction between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/acts/15.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />and made no difference between us and them, having purified their hearts by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/acts/15-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/in5WTRQ9BSQ?start=4915" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/acts/15.htm">The Council at Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3762.htm" title="3762: outhen (Adj-ANS) -- No one, none, nothing. "></a> <a href="/greek/1252.htm" title="1252: diekrinen (V-AIA-3S) -- From dia and krino; to separate thoroughly, i.e. to withdraw from, or oppose; figuratively, to discriminate, or hesitate.">He made no distinction</a> <a href="/greek/3342.htm" title="3342: metaxy (Prep) -- Meanwhile, afterwards, between. From meta and a form of sun; betwixt; as adjective, intervening, or adjoining.">between</a> <a href="/greek/5037.htm" title="5037: te (Conj) -- And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also."></a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">us</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GN3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">them,</a> <a href="/greek/2511.htm" title="2511: katharisas (V-APA-NMS) -- To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse.">for He cleansed</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GN3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2588.htm" title="2588: kardias (N-AFP) -- Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.">hearts</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">by</a> <a href="/greek/4102.htm" title="4102: pistei (N-DFS) -- Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. ">faith.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">10</span>Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a></span><br />There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-22.htm">Romans 3:22-24</a></span><br />And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, / for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, / and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/2-14.htm">Ephesians 2:14-18</a></span><br />For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility / by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace / and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-12.htm">Romans 10:12-13</a></span><br />For there is no difference between Jew and Greek: The same Lord is Lord of all, and gives richly to all who call on Him, / for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-13.htm">1 Corinthians 12:13</a></span><br />For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-11.htm">Colossians 3:11</a></span><br />Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/4-9.htm">Romans 4:9-11</a></span><br />Is this blessing only on the circumcised, or also on the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. / In what context was it credited? Was it after his circumcision, or before? It was not after, but before. / And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but are not circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-6.htm">Galatians 5:6</a></span><br />For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. What matters is faith expressing itself through love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/3-6.htm">Ephesians 3:6</a></span><br />This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/17-17.htm">John 17:17</a></span><br />Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a></span><br />let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/1-22.htm">1 Peter 1:22</a></span><br />Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a></span><br />He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a></span><br />“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/36-25.htm">Ezekiel 36:25-27</a></span><br />I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. / I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.</p><p class="hdg">put.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/14-1.htm">Acts 14:1,27</a></b></br> And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/3-9.htm">Romans 3:9,22,29,30</a></b></br> What then? are we better <i>than they</i>? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/4-11.htm">Romans 4:11,12</a></b></br> And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which <i>he had yet</i> being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: … </p><p class="hdg">purifying.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/10-15.htm">Acts 10:15,28,43,44</a></b></br> And the voice <i>spake</i> unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, <i>that</i> call not thou common… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/1-2.htm">1 Corinthians 1:2</a></b></br> Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called <i>to be</i> saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hebrews/9-13.htm">Hebrews 9:13,14</a></b></br> For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/11-9.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/acts/11-9.htm">Cleansed</a> <a href="/john/11-55.htm">Cleansing</a> <a href="/jonah/4-11.htm">Difference</a> <a href="/acts/11-12.htm">Distinction</a> <a href="/acts/14-4.htm">Division</a> <a href="/acts/15-5.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/acts/15-8.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/acts/14-22.htm">Making</a> <a href="/acts/11-9.htm">Purified</a> <a href="/john/3-25.htm">Purifying</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/18-6.htm">Clean</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-26.htm">Cleansed</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-26.htm">Cleansing</a> <a href="/romans/3-22.htm">Difference</a> <a href="/romans/3-22.htm">Distinction</a> <a href="/acts/23-7.htm">Division</a> <a href="/acts/15-11.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/acts/26-7.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/acts/15-16.htm">Making</a> <a href="/acts/21-26.htm">Purified</a> <a href="/acts/21-26.htm">Purifying</a><div class="vheading2">Acts 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-5.htm">The apostles consult about it,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-22.htm">and send their determination by letters to the churches.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-36.htm">Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">39. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/acts/15-39.htm">disagree, and travel different ways.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/acts/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/acts/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He made no distinction between us and them</b><br>This phrase highlights the breaking down of barriers between Jewish and Gentile believers. In the early church, there was significant debate over whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish laws, such as circumcision. This statement, made by Peter during the Jerusalem Council, emphasizes that God does not show favoritism (<a href="/acts/10-34.htm">Acts 10:34-35</a>). Theologically, it underscores the unity of all believers in Christ, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>, where Paul states that there is neither Jew nor Greek in Christ. This reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/isaiah/49-6.htm">Isaiah 49:6</a>, which speaks of salvation reaching the ends of the earth.<p><b>for He cleansed their hearts by faith</b><br>The cleansing of hearts by faith signifies the internal transformation that occurs through belief in Jesus Christ, rather than adherence to the law. This echoes the promise of the New Covenant found in <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>, where God writes His law on the hearts of His people. The concept of cleansing is also tied to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, where physical purification was required for worship. However, in the New Testament, this purification is spiritual and achieved through faith in Christ's atoning sacrifice (<a href="/hebrews/10-22.htm">Hebrews 10:22</a>). This cleansing is a type of the work of Jesus, who, as the ultimate High Priest, purifies believers, making them acceptable before God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/peter.htm">Peter</a></b><br>- One of the apostles and a key leader in the early church, who speaks at the Jerusalem Council to affirm that God shows no partiality between Jews and Gentiles.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem_council.htm">Jerusalem Council</a></b><br>- A significant meeting of early church leaders in Jerusalem to discuss whether Gentile converts must follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/gentile_believers.htm">Gentile Believers</a></b><br>- Non-Jewish individuals who have come to faith in Jesus Christ, central to the discussion at the Jerusalem Council.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jewish_believers.htm">Jewish Believers</a></b><br>- Jewish Christians who were grappling with the integration of Gentile believers into the faith community.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/holy_spirit.htm">Holy Spirit</a></b><br>- The third person of the Trinity, who plays a crucial role in affirming the inclusion of Gentiles by cleansing their hearts through faith.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_christ.htm">Unity in Christ</a></b><br>The passage emphasizes that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile, highlighting the unity of all believers in Christ. This calls us to embrace diversity within the body of Christ and to reject any form of discrimination.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_as_the_means_of_cleansing.htm">Faith as the Means of Cleansing</a></b><br>The cleansing of hearts by faith underscores the sufficiency of faith in Jesus for salvation. It reminds us that our works or heritage do not earn us favor with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">Role of the Holy Spirit</a></b><br>The Holy Spirit's work in cleansing hearts is a reminder of His active role in the life of believers, guiding and sanctifying us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/breaking_down_barriers.htm">Breaking Down Barriers</a></b><br>Just as the early church had to overcome cultural and religious barriers, we are called to break down walls that divide us from others, fostering an inclusive community of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The decision of the Jerusalem Council reflects trust in God's sovereign plan for His church, encouraging us to seek His guidance in resolving conflicts and making decisions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_acts_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Acts 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/purpose_of_the_jerusalem_council.htm">What was the purpose of the Jerusalem Council?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_mid-acts_dispensationalism.htm">What defines Mid-Acts Dispensationalism?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_being_pure_in_heart.htm">What defines being pure in heart?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_in_acts_8_14-17_is_the_holy_spirit_given_only_by_apostles'_hands.htm">Why do believers in Acts 8:14-17 only receive the Holy Spirit through the apostles' laying on of hands, whereas other texts suggest immediate reception?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/acts/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">And put no difference between us and them.</span>--It is obvious that this implies the most entire acceptance of the teaching which St. Paul had privately communicated to the three who were as the pillars of the Church (<a href="/galatians/2-9.htm" title="And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go to the heathen, and they to the circumcision.">Galatians 2:9</a>). In <a href="/romans/10-12.htm" title="For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich to all that call on him.">Romans 10:12</a> we have almost the very words of St. Peter reproduced.<p><span class= "bld">Purifying their hearts by faith.</span>--The addition of these words is very suggestive. It was not only in the "gifts" of the Spirit, the tongues and prophecy, that the Apostle saw the witness which God had borne to the acceptance of the Gentiles, but even more than this, in the new purity growing out of a new faith in God and a new hope. Underlying the words we trace the assertion of a higher ideal of purity than that on which the Pharisees were insisting. They looked on the Gentiles as impure because they did not observe the ceremonial law and the traditions of the elders as to purity. He had learnt to call no man common or unclean (<a href="/acts/10-28.htm" title="And he said to them, You know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come to one of another nation; but God has showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.">Acts 10:28</a>) and to see that it was in the heart, and not in the flesh, that the work of purifying was to be accomplished. Comp. in connection with the thought suggested in the Note on <a href="/acts/15-5.htm" title="But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.">Acts 15:5</a>, the teaching as to purity in <a href="/titus/1-15.htm" title="To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.">Titus 1:15</a>. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/acts/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> <span class="accented">- He made no distinction</span> for <span class="accented">put no difference</span>, A.V. (comp. <a href="/acts/10-20.htm">Acts 10:20</a>, note); <span class="accented">cleansing</span> for <span class="accented">purifying</span>, A.V. This is exactly the doctrine of <a href="/galatians/2-16.htm">Galatians 2:16</a> and <a href="/romans/3-30.htm">Romans 3:30</a>, with which compare also ver. 11. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/acts/15-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">He made no distinction</span><br /><span class="grk">διέκρινεν</span> <span class="translit">(diekrinen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1252.htm">Strong's 1252: </a> </span><span class="str2">From dia and krino; to separate thoroughly, i.e. to withdraw from, or oppose; figuratively, to discriminate, or hesitate.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">between</span><br /><span class="grk">μεταξὺ</span> <span class="translit">(metaxy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3342.htm">Strong's 3342: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meanwhile, afterwards, between. From meta and a form of sun; betwixt; as adjective, intervening, or adjoining.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us</span><br /><span class="grk">ἡμῶν</span> <span class="translit">(hēmōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> </span><span class="str2">I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">them,</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[for] He cleansed</span><br /><span class="grk">καθαρίσας</span> <span class="translit">(katharisas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2511.htm">Strong's 2511: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cleanse, make clean, literally, ceremonially, or spiritually, according to context. From katharos; to cleanse.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῶν</span> <span class="translit">(autōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hearts</span><br /><span class="grk">καρδίας</span> <span class="translit">(kardias)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2588.htm">Strong's 2588: </a> </span><span class="str2">Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">τῇ</span> <span class="translit">(tē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">faith.</span><br /><span class="grk">πίστει</span> <span class="translit">(pistei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4102.htm">Strong's 4102: </a> </span><span class="str2">Faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/acts/15-9.htm">Acts 15:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/acts/15-9.htm">NT Apostles: Acts 15:9 He made no distinction between us (Acts of the Apostles Ac) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/acts/15-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Acts 15:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Acts 15:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/acts/15-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Acts 15:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Acts 15:10" /></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><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>