Acts 15

King James Version

Full text for Acts Chapter 15

1¶ And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

2When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

3And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

4And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

5But 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.

6¶ And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

8And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us;

9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

12Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me:

14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.

21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

22¶ Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; [namely], Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

23And they wrote [letters] by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren [send] greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment:

25It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell [you] the same things by mouth.

28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

30So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31[Which] when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

32And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed [them].

33And after they had tarried [there] a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

35Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36¶ And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do.

37And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

39And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

40And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

41And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

A major dispute arose concerning whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses for salvation. Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem, where the apostles and elders convened and, guided by Peter and James, affirmed that salvation is by grace through faith, not by the Law. The council decreed that Gentiles should only abstain from idol pollutions, fornication, things strangled, and blood. Following this, Paul and Barnabas separated due to a disagreement over John Mark, embarking on different missionary paths.

Medium Summary

The chapter opens with a significant theological conflict in Antioch, as certain men from Judaea insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and adhere to the Law of Moses to be saved. Paul and Barnabas vehemently disagreed, leading to their journey to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders. At the Jerusalem Council, Peter recounted God's choice to bring the Gospel to Gentiles through him, emphasizing that God purified their hearts by faith without the Law. Barnabas and Paul then shared accounts of God's miraculous work among the Gentiles. James, referencing prophecy, proposed a resolution: Gentiles should not be burdened with the Law, but only abstain from idol offerings, fornication, things strangled, and blood. The council agreed, sending a letter and messengers to Antioch. Finally, Paul and Barnabas had a sharp contention regarding John Mark, resulting in their separation; Barnabas sailed with Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and journeyed through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Long Summary

Acts 15 details a pivotal moment in early Christian history, beginning with a severe doctrinal dispute in Antioch. Certain individuals from Judaea taught that Gentile converts could not be saved unless they were circumcised according to Mosaic custom and kept the Law. This caused "no small dissension" between them and Paul and Barnabas, leading to a decision for Paul, Barnabas, and others to travel to Jerusalem to consult the apostles and elders on this matter. Upon their arrival, they were received by the church, apostles, and elders, and recounted God's work among them. However, believing Pharisees reiterated the necessity of circumcision and adherence to the Law for Gentiles. The Jerusalem Council then convened, marked by much disputing. Peter rose to speak, reminding them how God had chosen him to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, giving them the Holy Ghost and purifying their hearts by faith, making no distinction between Jew and Gentile. He questioned why they would impose a burdensome yoke, the Law, which neither their fathers nor they could bear, asserting that salvation for both Jew and Gentile is through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Barnabas and Paul then shared their experiences of God's miracles and wonders among the Gentiles. James, the brother of the Lord, then offered his "sentence," aligning Peter's testimony with Old Testament prophecy concerning God's plan to visit the Gentiles and build again the tabernacle of David. He proposed that Gentile converts should not be troubled with the full Mosaic Law, but should be instructed to abstain from pollutions of idols, fornication, things strangled, and blood. This resolution pleased the apostles, elders, and the whole church. They dispatched Judas (Barsabas) and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch, carrying a letter that explicitly stated this decision, emphasizing that it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to them to lay no greater burden. The letter brought great joy and consolation to the Gentile brethren in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. After some time, Judas returned, but Silas remained. Paul and Barnabas continued their ministry in Antioch. Subsequently, Paul proposed a return visit to the cities where they had preached. A sharp contention arose between Paul and Barnabas concerning John Mark, whom Barnabas wished to take, but Paul refused due to Mark's earlier departure from the work in Pamphylia. This disagreement led to their separation: Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and, being recommended by the brethren, journeyed through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

Core Concepts

  • Gentile Inclusion DebateThe core conflict over whether Gentile believers needed to be circumcised and adhere to the Mosaic Law for salvation, initiated by certain men from Judaea.
  • The Jerusalem CouncilA crucial assembly of apostles and elders in Jerusalem convened to address the theological question of Gentile requirements for salvation, leading to a definitive resolution.
  • Salvation by Grace and FaithPeter's powerful argument that God purifies hearts by faith and gives the Holy Ghost to Gentiles without the Law, asserting that salvation for all is through the grace of Jesus Christ.
  • Apostolic Decree for GentilesThe formal decision by the council, articulated by James, that Gentile converts should not be burdened with the full Mosaic Law but only abstain from idol pollutions, fornication, things strangled, and blood.
  • Guidance of the Holy GhostThe council's declaration that their resolution was made with the conviction that it "seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us," underscoring divine approval for their decision.
  • Missionary DisagreementThe "sharp contention" between Paul and Barnabas concerning John Mark's participation in a new missionary journey, which ultimately led to their separation.
  • Continued Gospel SpreadDespite the personal disagreement, the chapter concludes with Paul and Silas, and Barnabas and Mark, embarking on separate journeys to confirm and strengthen the churches, ensuring the ongoing propagation of the Gospel.