Dispute over Circumcision
AND certain men which came down from Judea taught the brothers, and said: “Except you be circumcised after the custom of Moses; you cannot be saved.”
2 Therefore, because Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them: they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain others of them; should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.
3 Then being sent on their way by the congregation: they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria; declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, and bringing about great joy to all the brothers.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the congregation, and the apostles and elders; and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But there rose up certain men of the faction of the Pharisees which believed, saying: “That it be necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
The Jerusalem Council
6 ¶ Now the apostles and the elders came together to consider concerning this question.
7 And when there had been much disputing; Peter rose up, and said to them: “Men and brothers; you know that a good while ago, God chose among us: that the Gentiles through my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 And God, who knows the heart: bore witness of them, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did to us;
9 And made no distinction between us and them; purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore, why put God to the test? to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples; which, neither our fathers, nor we, were able to bear?
11 Rather through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe that we will be saved, in the same manner as they.”
12 ¶ Then all the multitude kept silent, and listened to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles through them.
13 And after they had finished speaking, James answered, saying: “Men and brothers, listen to me:
14 Simeon has declared how God at the first, did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return, and build again the tabernacle of David, that is fallen; and tear down the rebuilding of it; and I will rebuild it!
17 That the remainder of the men, might seek out the Lord; and all the Gentiles upon whom, my name is called in Him; saith the Lord, who does all these things.'”
18 ¶ “Known to God are all His works from of old.
19 Therefore my judgement is: that we trouble not those, which from among the Gentiles have turned to God;
20 Rather, that we write to them: that they abstain from things defiled by idols; and from sexual immorality; and from things strangled; and from blood.
21 For Moses from ancient generations, has in every city those that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.”
The Jerusalem Decision
22 ¶ Then it pleased the apostles and elders, together with the whole congregation: to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judah named Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers:
23 And wrote letters by their hand after this manner: “The apostles and elders and brothers send greetings to the brothers which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 Because we have heard, that certain men which went out from us have troubled you with words, distressing your souls, saying: ‘You must be circumcised, and keep the law:’ to whom we gave no such commandment.”
25 ¶ “It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord: to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul;
26 Men that have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judah and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.”
28 ¶ “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us; to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 That you abstain from meals sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from sexual immorality: from which, if you keep yourselves: you shall do well. Farewell.”
Ministering in Antioch
30 ¶ So when they were let go, they came into Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the encouragement.
32 And Judah and Silas, being also prophets themselves: encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
33 ¶ Now after they had stayed there a while; they were let go in peace from the brothers back to the apostles.
34 But it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Also Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch; teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Argument over Mark
36 ¶ Now some days after Paul said to Barnabas: “Let us go again and visit our brothers in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.”
37 And Barnabas decided to take with them John, who is named Mark.
38 But Paul considered him not worthy to take along with them: he whom departed from them, from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 Therefore the disagreement was so sharp, that they departed separately one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed to Cyprus.
40 And Paul chose Silas, and departed: being handed over by the brothers to the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the congregations.