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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 New American Bible</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 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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">New American Bible Revised Edition</td><td width="1%" valign="top"></td></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><section id="ch51015" class="chapter"> <h1 id="cn51015" class="cn"></h1> <p class="pf"><span class="hemb">Council of Jerusalem.</span> <span id="v51015001" class="ver">1</span><a id="rfn51015001-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015001-1">*</a> Some who had come down from Judea were instructing the brothers,<a id="ren51015001-a" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015001-a">a</a> “Unless you are circumcised according to the Mosaic practice,<a id="ren51015001-b" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015001-b">b</a> you cannot be saved.”<a id="rfn51015001-2" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015001-2">*</a> <span id="v51015002" class="ver">2</span>Because there arose no little dissension and debate by Paul and Barnabas with them, it was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and presbyters about this question. <span id="v51015003" class="ver">3</span>They were sent on their journey by the church, and passed through Phoenicia and Samaria telling of the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. <span id="v51015004" class="ver">4</span>When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the presbyters, and they reported what God had done with them. <span id="v51015005" class="ver">5</span>But some from the party of the Pharisees who had become believers stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and direct them to observe the Mosaic law.”</p> <p><span id="v51015006" class="ver">6</span><a id="rfn51015006-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015006-1">*</a> The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter. <span id="v51015007" class="ver">7</span><a id="rfn51015007-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015007-1">*</a> After much debate had taken place, Peter got up and said to them, “My brothers, you are well aware that from early days God made his choice among you that through my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe.<a id="ren51015007-c" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015007-c">c</a> <span id="v51015008" class="ver">8</span>And God, who knows the heart, bore witness by granting them the holy Spirit just as he did us.<a id="ren51015008-d" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015008-d">d</a> <span id="v51015009" class="ver">9</span>He made no distinction between us and them, for by faith he purified their hearts.<a id="ren51015009-e" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015009-e">e</a> <span id="v51015010" class="ver">10</span>Why, then, are you now putting God to the test by placing on the shoulders of the disciples a yoke that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?<a id="ren51015010-f" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015010-f">f</a> <span id="v51015011" class="ver">11</span>On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus,<a id="ren51015011-g" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015011-g">g</a> in the same way as they.”<a id="rfn51015011-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015011-1">*</a> <span id="v51015012" class="ver">12</span>The whole assembly fell silent, and they listened while Paul and Barnabas described the signs and wonders God had worked among the Gentiles through them.</p> <p class="psec"><span class="hemb">James on Dietary Law.</span> <span id="v51015013" class="ver">13</span><a id="rfn51015013-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015013-1">*</a> After they had fallen silent, James responded, “My brothers, listen to me. <span id="v51015014" class="ver">14</span>Symeon<a id="rfn51015014-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015014-1">*</a> has described how God first concerned himself with acquiring from among the Gentiles a people for his name. <span id="v51015015" class="ver">15</span>The words of the prophets agree with this, as is written:</p> <div class="senseline"> <p class="slf"><span id="v51015016" class="ver">16</span>‘After this I shall return<a id="ren51015016-h" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015016-h">h</a></p> <p class="sl1">and rebuild the fallen hut of David;</p> <p class="sl">from its ruins I shall rebuild it</p> <p class="sl1">and raise it up again,</p> <p class="sl"><span id="v51015017" class="ver">17</span>so that the rest of humanity may seek out the Lord,</p> <p class="sl1">even all the Gentiles on whom my name is invoked.</p> <p class="sl">Thus says the Lord who accomplishes these things,</p> <p class="sl1l"><span id="v51015018" class="ver">18</span>known from of old.’</p> </div> <p class="pcon"><span id="v51015019" class="ver">19</span><a id="ren51015019-i" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015019-i">i</a> It is my judgment, therefore, that we ought to stop troubling the Gentiles who turn to God, <span id="v51015020" class="ver">20</span>but tell them by letter to avoid pollution from idols, unlawful marriage, the meat of strangled animals, and blood.<a id="ren51015020-j" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015020-j">j</a> <span id="v51015021" class="ver">21</span>For Moses, for generations now, has had those who proclaim him in every town, as he has been read in the synagogues every sabbath.”</p> <p class="psec"><span class="hemb">Letter of the Apostles.</span> <span id="v51015022" class="ver">22</span>Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. <span id="v51015023" class="ver">23</span>This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. <span id="v51015024" class="ver">24</span>Since we have heard that some of our number [who went out] without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, <span id="v51015025" class="ver">25</span>we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, <span id="v51015026" class="ver">26</span>who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. <span id="v51015027" class="ver">27</span>So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: <span id="v51015028" class="ver">28</span><a id="ren51015028-k" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015028-k">k</a> ‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, <span id="v51015029" class="ver">29</span>namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’ ”<a id="ren51015029-l" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015029-l">l</a></p> <p class="psec"><span class="hemb">Delegates at Antioch.</span> <span id="v51015030" class="ver">30</span>And so they were sent on their journey. Upon their arrival in Antioch they called the assembly together and delivered the letter. <span id="v51015031" class="ver">31</span>When the people read it, they were delighted with the exhortation. <span id="v51015032" class="ver">32</span>Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many words. <span id="v51015033" class="ver">33</span>After they had spent some time there, they were sent off with greetings of peace from the brothers to those who had commissioned them. [<span id="v51015034" class="ver">34</span>]<a id="rfn51015034-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015034-1">*</a> <span id="v51015035" class="ver">35</span>But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming with many others the word of the Lord.</p> <h1 class="bksect">V. <span class="ac">The Mission of Paul to the Ends of the Earth</span></h1> <p class="paft"><span class="hemb">Paul and Barnabas Separate.</span> <span id="v51015036" class="ver">36</span><a id="rfn51015036-1" class="fnref" href="footnotes.htm#fn51015036-1">*</a> After some time, Paul said to Barnabas, “Come, let us make a return visit to see how the brothers are getting on in all the cities where we proclaimed the word of the Lord.” <span id="v51015037" class="ver">37</span>Barnabas wanted to take with them also John, who was called Mark, <span id="v51015038" class="ver">38</span>but Paul insisted that they should not take with them someone who had deserted them at Pamphylia and who had not continued with them in their work.<a id="ren51015038-m" class="enref" href="footnotes.htm#en51015038-m">m</a> <span id="v51015039" class="ver">39</span>So sharp was their disagreement that they separated. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. <span id="v51015040" class="ver">40</span>But Paul chose Silas and departed after being commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. <span id="v51015041" class="ver">41</span>He traveled through Syria and Cilicia bringing strength to the churches.</p> </section> <br /><h1 class="cn"><a class="xref" href="intro.htm"><span class="ac">Book Introduction</span></a></h1><h1 class="cn"><a class="xref" href="footnotes.htm"><span class="ac">Footnotes</span></a></h1></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the <i>New American Bible, revised edition</i> © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. 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