Thematic Bible




Acts 15:1 (show verse)

But some men came down from Judea and attempted to teach the brethren, saying, "Unless you are circumcised according to Moses' custom, you cannot be saved."

Acts 15:2 (show verse)

Now when dispute and controversy sprang up between them and Paul and Barnabas, the brethren appointed Paul and Barnabas, and certain others, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15:3 (show verse)

So the church saw them off on their journey, and they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria. Here they set forth the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.

Acts 15:4 (show verse)

Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were received by the church and the apostles and elders, and they told them all things that God had done with them.

Acts 15:5 (show verse)

But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees, but were now believers, stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise Gentile, and to order them to keep the Law of Moses."

Acts 15:6 (show verse)

The apostles and elders met to consider the matter;

Acts 15:7 (show verse)

and after there had been a long discussion, Peter rose and said: "Brothers, you know how a good while ago God made choice among you, that from my lips the Gentiles were to hear the message of the gospel and believe.

Acts 15:8 (show verse)

"And God, who knows the hearts of all, gave this testimony in their behalf, by bestowing upon them the Holy Spirit just as he did upon us;

Acts 15:9 (show verse)

"and he made no distinction between us and them, in cleansing their hearts by faith.

Acts 15:10 (show verse)

"Now then, why are you tempting God by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?

Acts 15:11 (show verse)

"On the contrary we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that we and they shall be saved."

Acts 15:12 (show verse)

Then the whole assembly remained silent, and listened to Barnabas and Saul as they told the signs and wonders which God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.

Acts 15:13 (show verse)

When they had finished speaking, James said:

Acts 15:14 (show verse)

"Brothers, listen to me. Symeon has told how God first looked graciously upon the Gentiles, to take out from among them a people to be called by his name.

Acts 15:15 (show verse)

"And this is in harmony with the language of the prophets, which says.

Acts 15:16 (show verse)

"After these things I will return, And I will rebuild David's fallen tent; And I will build again its ruins, And I will set it up;

Acts 15:17 (show verse)

"So that the rest of men may seek after the Lord, Even all the Gentiles, who are called by my name,

Acts 15:18 (show verse)

"Says the Lord, who has been making this known from the beginning of the world.

Acts 15:19 (show verse)

"My judgment therefore, is against troubling those who turn to God from among the Gentiles;

Acts 15:20 (show verse)

"but that we should write to them to abstain from the pollution of idols and from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood.

Acts 15:21 (show verse)

"For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every town where he is read aloud, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the synagogues."

Acts 15:22 (show verse)

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, to select some of their number, and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The men chosen were Judas called Bar-Sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

Acts 15:23 (show verse)

They took with them the following letter. "The apostles and older brothers send greeting to the Gentile Brotherhood throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia;

Acts 15:24 (show verse)

"as we have heard that some of your number who went out from us have troubled you with words and upset your souls, without having received any such instruction from us;

Acts 15:25 (show verse)

"we have unanimously decided to select certain men, and to send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul;

Acts 15:26 (show verse)

"men who have risked their very lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:27 (show verse)

"So we have sent Judas and Silas to tell you the same things by word of mouth.

Acts 15:28 (show verse)

"For it has seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:29 (show verse)

"that you abstain from food that has been sacrificed to idols, and from tasting blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear from these things and it will be well with you. Farewell."

Acts 15:30 (show verse)

So they, when they had been dispatched, went down to Antioch, and after gathering the whole multitude together, they handed them the letter,

Acts 15:31 (show verse)

and when they had read it they rejoiced at the comfort it brought.

Acts 15:32 (show verse)

And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many a good counsel.

Acts 15:33 (show verse)

After spending some time there the brothers let them go with a greeting of peace to those who had sent them.

Acts 15:34 (show verse)

Silas, however, stayed with them.

Acts 15:35 (show verse)

Paul and Barnabas also stayed in Antioch teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord, in company with others.

Acts 15:36 (show verse)

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let is go back and visit the brothers in every city in which we have proclaimed the word of the Lord. Let us see how they fare."

Acts 15:37 (show verse)

Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John, who was called Mark.

Acts 15:38 (show verse)

But Paul thought it unwise to take with them one who had deserted them to the Pamphylia, and had not gone on with them to the work.

Acts 15:39 (show verse)

So there arose a sharp irritation, so that they parted company; Barnabas taking Mark with him, sailed away to Cyprus;

Acts 15:40 (show verse)

while Paul chose Silas, and set forth commended by the brothers to the grace of God.

Acts 15:41 (show verse)

He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.