The Dispute over Circumcision

1And certain ones having come down from Judea were teaching the brethren that, Unless you may be circumcised, according to the custom of Moses, you are not able to be saved. 2And there being no small contention and disputation to Paul and Barnabas against them, they delegated Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them, to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this question. 3Then indeed they having been sent away by the church, traveled through both Phoenicia and Samaria, relating the conversion of the Gentiles: and they continued to make great joy to all the brethren. 4And arriving into Jerusalem, they were received by the church, and the apostles, and the elders, and they proclaimed so many things as God did with them.

The Council at Jerusalem
(Galatians 2:1–10)

5And certain one of those from the sect of the Pharisees having believed arose up, saying that, It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

6And the apostles and elders were convened to see about this problem. 7And there being much disputation, Peter, having arisen, said to them, Men, brethren, you know that from ancient days God chose among you, that the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel through my mouth, and believe. 8And God, who knows the heart, witnessed to them, giving to them the Holy Ghost, as also to us; 9and made no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke on the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11But through the grace of our Lord Jesus, we believe that we are saved, in the same manner in which they are also.

12And the whole multitude became silent, and continued to hear Barnabas and Paul, relating how many miracles and wonders God wrought among the Gentiles through them.

13And after they became silent, James responded, saying, Men, brethren, hear me. 14Symeon hath related how God in the first place interposed to take a people from the Gentiles, in His name. 15And to this corresponds the words of the prophet; as has been written,

16After these things I will return, and will build again the throne of David, which has fallen down; and will build again the ruins of the same, and will set it up again:

17in order that the residue of men may seek out the Lord, even all the Gentiles, on whom my name has been called upon them, says the Lord, who doeth these things

18known from the beginning. 19Therefore I judge, that we should not burden those from the Gentiles turning to God: 20but to command them to abstain from things offered to idols, and from fornication, and from strangulation, and from blood. 21For Moses from ancient generations, has those preaching him in every city, being read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.

The Letter to the Gentile Believers

22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, along with the whole church, to send men chosen from them into Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas; Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brethren: 23having written through their hand; The apostles and elders, brethren to the brethren who are from the Gentiles throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia greeting. 24Since we heard that certain ones having come out from us troubled you, disturbing your souls with words which we did not command: 25it seemed good to us, being of one accord, having chosen men to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26men who have imperiled their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, themselves also proclaiming the same things by speech. 28For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no more burden than these necessary things, 29to abstain from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which keeping yourselves, you will do well. Fare ye well.

The Believers at Antioch Rejoice

30Then indeed they, having been sent away, came down into Antioch, and convening the multitude, they delivered the letter. 31And having read it, they rejoiced over the consolation. 32Both Judas and Silas, themselves also being prophets, exhorted the brethren with elaborate speech, and strengthened them; 33and having spent the time, they were discharged by the brethren with peace back to the apostles who sent them. 34 35And Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, also along with many others.

Paul’s Second Missionary Journey Begins
(Acts 13:1–3; Acts 18:23–28)

36And after many days Paul said to Barnabas, Having returned let us now visit the brethren in every city in which we preached the word of the Lord, how they are doing. 37But Barnabas advised to take with them John, also called Mark. 38But Paul thought that he would not take with them, him who having departed from them from Pamphylia, and not having gone along with them into the work. 39But there was a paroxysm, so that they parted from one another, and Barnabas, taking Mark, sailed away into Cyprus.

40And Paul, having chosen Silas, went out, committed to the grace of the Lord by the brethren; 41and he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.