Acts:15:1-35

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* And going down from Judea , some taught the brothers , saying , If you are not circumcised according to the custom of Moses , you cannot be saved . * Then dissension and not a little disputation with them having taken place by Paul and Barnabas , they appointed Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up into Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this question . * Then , indeed , having been sent forward by the church they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria , fully narrating the conversion of the nations . And they were producing great joy among all the brothers . * And having arrived in Jerusalem , they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders . And they reported what things God did with them . * But some of those rose up from the sect of the Pharisees who had believed , saying , It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses . * And the apostles and the elders were assembled to see about this matter . * And much disputation having occurred , rising up Peter said to them : Men , brothers , you recognize that from ancient days , God chose among us that through my mouth the nations should hear the Word of the gospel , and to believe . * And the heart knowing God testified to them , giving them the Holy Spirit , even as also to us . * And He made distinction in nothing between both us and them , having purified their hearts by faith . * Now , then , why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we had strength to bear ? * But through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ , we believe to be saved , according to which manner they also believed . * And all the multitude kept silent and were hearing Barnabas and Paul recounting what things God did through them among the nations , even the signs and wonders . * And after they were silent , James responded , saying , Men , brothers , hear me : * Simon recounted how even as at first God oversaw to take a people out from among the nations for His name . * And with this agree the words of the prophets , as it has been written , * After these things "I " will return and "will build again the tabernacle of David which has fallen ," "and I will build again the things which have been demolished ," and I will set it up , Amos strkjv @9:11 , 12 * so as the rest of men may seek the Lord , "even all the nations on whom My name has been called , says the Lord , who is doing all these things ." Amos strkjv @9:11 , 12 * All His works are known to God from eternity . * For this reason I judge not to trouble those from the nations turning to God , * but to write to them to hold back from the pollutions of idols , and from fornication , and that strangled , and blood . * For in every city from ancient generations Moses has those proclaiming him , having been read in the synagogues on every sabbath . * Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders , with all the church , to send chosen men from them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas , Judas having been surnamed Barsabas , and Silas , leading men among the brothers , * writing by their hand these things : The apostles and the elders and the brothers , to those throughout Antioch , and Syria , and Cilicia , brothers from the nations : Greeting . * Since we heard that some of us having gone out have troubled you with words , unsettling your souls , saying , Be circumcised and keep the Law , to whom we gave no command ; * it seemed good to us , having become of one mind , to send chosen men to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul , * men who have given up their souls on behalf of the name of our Lord , Jesus Christ . * Therefore , we have sent Judas and Silas , they by word also announcing the same things . * For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to put not one greater burden on you than these necessary things : * To hold back from idol sacrifices , and blood , and that strangled , and from fornication ; from which continually keeping yourselves , you will do well . Be prospered . * Then they indeed being let go , they went to Antioch . And gathering the multitude , they delivered the letter . * And reading it , they rejoiced at the comfort . * And Judas and Silas , themselves also being prophets , exhorted the brothers through much speech , and confirmed them . * And continuing for a time , they were let go with peace from the brothers to the apostles . * But it seemed good to Silas to remain . * And Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch , teaching and announcing the gospel , the Word of the Lord , with many others also .

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