Acts 15:6
New International Version
The apostles and elders met to consider this question.

New Living Translation
So the apostles and elders met together to resolve this issue.

English Standard Version
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

Berean Standard Bible
So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.

Berean Literal Bible
And both the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

King James Bible
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

New King James Version
Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

New American Standard Bible
The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.

NASB 1995
The apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.

NASB 1977
And the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.

Legacy Standard Bible
Both the apostles and the elders came together to look into this matter.

Amplified Bible
The apostles and the elders came together to consider this matter.

Christian Standard Bible
The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the apostles and the elders assembled to consider this matter.

American Standard Version
And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

Contemporary English Version
The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles.

English Revised Version
And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The apostles and spiritual leaders met to consider this statement.

Good News Translation
The apostles and the elders met together to consider this question.

International Standard Version
So the apostles and the elders met to look into this claim.

Majority Standard Bible
So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.

NET Bible
Both the apostles and the elders met together to deliberate about this matter.

New Heart English Bible
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the apostles and elders came together to consider of this matter.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;

World English Bible
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,

Berean Literal Bible
And both the apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

Young's Literal Translation
And there were gathered together the apostles and the elders, to see about this matter,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sent and elders were gathered together to see about this word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the apostles and ancients assembled to consider of this matter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Apostles and elders came together to take care of this matter.

New American Bible
The apostles and the presbyters met together to see about this matter.

New Revised Standard Version
The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then the apostles and elders assembled to consider this matter.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the Apostles and the Elders assembled to look into this matter.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the apostles and elders came together to deliberate about this matter.

Godbey New Testament
And the apostles and elders were convened to see about this problem.

Haweis New Testament
Then the apostles and presbyters were assembled to consider of this matter.

Mace New Testament
The apostles therefore, and the presbyters assembled to deliberate upon this affair.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;

Worrell New Testament
And the apostles and the elders were assembled together to see about this matter.

Worsley New Testament
So the apostles and elders were assembled together to consider about this matter.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Council at Jerusalem
5But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and declared, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” 6So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter. 7After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.…

Cross References
Acts 6:2-4
So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them / and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Acts 11:1-18
The apostles and brothers throughout Judea soon heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. / So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him / and said, “You visited uncircumcised men and ate with them.” ...

Galatians 2:1-10
Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also. / I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain. / Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. ...

Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, / but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.

Acts 13:1-3
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. / While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 21:18-25
The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present. / Paul greeted them and recounted one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. / When they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. ...

Matthew 18:18-20
Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. / Again, I tell you truly that if two of you on the earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. / For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

John 16:13
However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

Ephesians 2:20
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

1 Timothy 4:14
Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders.

Exodus 18:13-26
The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening. / When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone as judge, with all the people standing around you from morning till evening?” / “Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied. ...

Numbers 11:16-17
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. / And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.

Deuteronomy 17:8-11
If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, ...

2 Chronicles 19:8-10
Moreover, Jehoshaphat appointed in Jerusalem some of the Levites, priests, and heads of the Israelite families to judge on behalf of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they lived in Jerusalem. / He commanded them, saying, “You must serve faithfully and wholeheartedly in the fear of the LORD. / For every dispute that comes before you from your brothers who dwell in their cities—whether it regards bloodshed or some other violation of law, commandments, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they will not incur guilt before the LORD and wrath will not come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Acts 15:25
It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Acts 6:2
Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Acts 21:18
And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.

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Apostles Church Consider Elders Gathered Matter Met Question Rulers Thought Together
Acts 15
1. Great dissensions arise regarding circumcision.
5. The apostles consult about it,
22. and send their determination by letters to the churches.
36. Paul and Barnabas, thinking to visit the brothers together,
39. disagree, and travel different ways.














So the apostles and elders
The apostles were the original disciples of Jesus, chosen by Him to spread the Gospel. The elders were leaders within the early church, often responsible for teaching and governance. This gathering signifies the importance of collective leadership and decision-making in the early church. The inclusion of both apostles and elders highlights the balance between spiritual authority and practical wisdom. This structure is seen in other parts of the New Testament, such as in 1 Timothy 5:17, where elders are described as worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

met
The act of meeting indicates a formal assembly, suggesting the gravity of the issue at hand. This was not a casual discussion but a deliberate gathering to address a significant theological and practical concern. The early church often met in homes or synagogues, as seen in Acts 2:46 and Acts 5:42, reflecting the communal and relational nature of early Christian worship and decision-making.

to look into
This phrase implies careful consideration and investigation. The early church leaders were committed to discerning God's will through prayer, discussion, and examination of the Scriptures. This approach is consistent with the Berean attitude in Acts 17:11, where the Bereans are commended for examining the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true.

this matter
The matter in question was the issue of whether Gentile converts to Christianity needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law, as some Jewish Christians were advocating. This was a pivotal moment in church history, as it addressed the relationship between Jewish traditions and the new covenant in Christ. The resolution of this issue, as seen later in Acts 15, affirmed that salvation is through grace and faith in Jesus Christ alone, not by adherence to the law, aligning with Paul's teachings in Galatians 2:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Apostles
The original disciples of Jesus Christ, chosen to spread His teachings and establish the early Church. They held authority in doctrinal matters.

2. Elders
Leaders within the early Christian community, often responsible for teaching and governance within the church. They worked alongside the apostles in decision-making processes.

3. Jerusalem
The central location for the early Church and the site of the Jerusalem Council, where significant doctrinal issues were addressed.

4. Jerusalem Council
A pivotal meeting in the early Church where leaders gathered to discuss and resolve the issue of whether Gentile converts needed to follow Jewish law, particularly circumcision.

5. Gentile Believers
Non-Jewish individuals who had come to faith in Jesus Christ. Their inclusion in the Church raised questions about the necessity of adhering to Jewish customs.
Teaching Points
Unity in Diversity
The meeting of apostles and elders demonstrates the importance of unity in the Church, even amidst diverse backgrounds and opinions. Christians today should strive for unity in essential beliefs while allowing for diversity in non-essentials.

Authority and Leadership
The involvement of apostles and elders underscores the need for godly leadership and authority in resolving doctrinal issues. Believers should respect and seek guidance from their church leaders.

Seeking God's Wisdom
The early Church leaders sought divine guidance in their decision-making. Christians should prioritize prayer and Scripture when faced with challenging decisions.

Inclusivity of the Gospel
The Jerusalem Council's decision affirmed that salvation is through faith in Christ alone, not adherence to the law. This teaches that the Gospel is inclusive and available to all, regardless of background.

Resolving Conflict
The process of meeting and discussing differences provides a model for resolving conflicts within the Church. Open dialogue and a focus on Scripture can lead to peaceful resolutions.(6) And the apostles and elders came together.--The meeting rightly takes its place as the first in the long series of councils, or synods, which mark the course of the Church's history. It bore its witness that the government of the Christian society was not to rest in the autocracy of a single will, but in the deliberative decision of those who, directly or indirectly, having been appointed by the choice, or with the approval, of the people, represented the whole community. Presbyters had an equal voice with the Apostles, whose position was analogous to that of the later bishops. Those whom we should call the laity were present at the deliberations, and, though we have no absolute proof that they took part in them, gave their vote. (Comp. Note on Acts 15:23.) Strictly speaking, it was, in the later ecclesiastical language, a provincial and not an ?cumenical synod, called to decide what seemed a question of discipline rather than of doctrine; but the ground on which the question had been argued made it one of world-wide dogmatic importance. If circumcision was necessary, then faith in Christ was insufficient. St. Paul saw and felt this in all its fulness, and therefore would not "give way by subjection, no, not for an hour" (Galatians 2:5). We have no data for estimating the number of the presbyters who were present. Probably they included those of the neighbouring towns and villages of Judaea as well as of Jerusalem, and if so, we may fairly think of some number between fifty and a hundred.

Verse 6. - The elders for elders, A.V.; were gathered for came, A.V.; to for for to, A.V. The question was too important, and, perhaps, the persons who advanced the objections too considerable, to allow of a decision to be taken on the spot. A special meeting of the Church was called to consider the matter.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[So]
τε (te)
Conjunction
Strong's 5037: And, both. A primary particle of connection or addition; both or also.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

apostles
ἀπόστολοι (apostoloi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 652: From apostello; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

elders
πρεσβύτεροι (presbyteroi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4245: Comparative of presbus; older; as noun, a senior; specially, an Israelite Sanhedrist or Christian 'presbyter'.

met
Συνήχθησάν (Synēchthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4863: From sun and ago; to lead together, i.e. Collect or convene; specially, to entertain.

to look into
ἰδεῖν (idein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

this
τούτου (toutou)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

matter.
λόγου (logou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.


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