Acts 15
1
And a certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, b "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
2
Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that c Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
3
So, d being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, e describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
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And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
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But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, "It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses."
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Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
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And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: f "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
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"So God, g who knows the heart, acknowledged them by h giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
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i "and made no distinction between us and them, j purifying their hearts by faith.
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"Now therefore, why do you test God k by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
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"But l we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they."
12
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had m worked through them among the Gentiles.
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And after they had become silent, n James answered, saying, "Men and brethren, listen to me:
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o "Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
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"And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16
'After p this I will return
And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down;
I will rebuild its ruins,
And I will set it up;
17
So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD,
Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
Says the LORD who does all these things.'
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"Known to God from eternity are all His works.
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"Therefore q I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who r are turning to God,
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"but that we s write to them to abstain t from things polluted by idols, u from sexual immorality, v from things strangled, and from blood.
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"For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, w being read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
22
Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named x Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23
They wrote this letter by them:
The apostles, the elders, and the brethren,
To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24
Since we have heard that y some who went out from us have troubled you with words, z unsettling 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,
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a men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27
We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
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b that you abstain from things offered to idols, c from blood, from things strangled, and from d sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.
Farewell.
30
So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31
When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
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Now Judas and Silas, themselves being e prophets also, f exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33
And after they had stayed there for a time, they were g sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34
However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35
h Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
36
Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing."
37
Now Barnabas was determined to take with them i John called Mark.
38
But Paul insisted that they should not take with them j the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39
Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to k Cyprus;
40
but Paul chose Silas and departed, l being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, m strengthening the churches.
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Cross References
Galatians 2:12
For before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.
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Cross References
John 7:22
Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that...
Acts 15:5
But some of the sect of the Pharisees who belie...
Galatians 5:2
Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become c...
Philippians 3:2
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware ...
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy...
Colossians 2:11
In Him you were also circumcised with the circu...
Colossians 2:16
So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or...
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Cross References
Galatians 2:1
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me.
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Cross References
Acts 20:38
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he sp...
Acts 21:5
When we had come to the end of those days, we d...
Romans 15:24
Whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to yo...
1 Corinthians 16:6
And it may be that I will remain, or even spend...
1 Corinthians 16:11
Therefore let no one despise him. But send him ...
2 Corinthians 1:16
To pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come aga...
Titus 3:13
Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their jour...
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Cross References
Acts 14:27
Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Acts 15:4
And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
Acts 15:12
Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
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Cross References
Acts 10:20
"Arise therefore, go down and go with them, doubting nothing; for I have sent them."
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Cross References
1 Chronicles 28:9
As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
Acts 1:24
And they prayed and said, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen
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Cross References
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 10:44
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
Acts 10:47
"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
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Cross References
Romans 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.
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Cross References
Acts 10:15
And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common.
Acts 10:28
Then he said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
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Cross References
Matthew 23:4
For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
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Cross References
Romans 3:4
Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.
Romans 5:15
But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Ephesians 2:5 - 8
Even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved).
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
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Cross References
Acts 14:27
Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
Acts 15:3
So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
Acts 15:4
And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
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Cross References
Acts 12:17
But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren." And he departed and went to another place.
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Cross References
Acts 15:7
And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: "Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
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Cross References
Amos 9:11
On that day I will raise up The tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old.
Amos 9:12
That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name," Says the LORD who does this thing.
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Cross References
Acts 15:28
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
Acts 21:25
"But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality."
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Cross References
1 Thessalonians 1:9
For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.
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Cross References
Acts 21:25
"But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality."
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Cross References
Genesis 35:2
And Jacob said to his household and to all who ...
Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other gods before Me.
Exodus 20:23
You shall not make anything to be with Me - god...
Ezekiel 20:30
Therefore say to the house of Israel, 'Thus say...
1 Corinthians 8:1
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know...
1 Corinthians 10:20
Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacr...
1 Corinthians 10:28
But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to...
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because yo...
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 6:9
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not i...
Galatians 5:19
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which a...
Ephesians 5:3
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetous...
Colossians 3:5
Therefore put to death your members which are o...
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, your sanctificatio...
1 Peter 4:3
For we have spent enough of our past lifetime i...
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Cross References
Genesis 9:4
But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.
Leviticus 3:17
' This shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings: you shall eat neither fat nor blood.'"
Deuteronomy 12:16
Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it on the earth like water.
1 Samuel 14:33
Then they told Saul, saying, "Look, the people are sinning against the LORD by eating with the blood!" So he said, "You have dealt treacherously; roll a large stone to me this day.
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Cross References
Acts 13:15
And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
Acts 13:27
For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.
2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ.
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Cross References
Acts 1:23
And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.
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Cross References
Acts 15:1
And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
Galatians 2:4
And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage).
Galatians 5:12
I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
Titus 1:10
For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision.
Titus 1:11
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
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Cross References
Galatians 1:7
Which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 5:10
I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
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Cross References
Acts 13:50
But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
Acts 14:19
Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
1 Corinthians 15:30
And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour?
2 Corinthians 11:23 - 26
Are they ministers of Christ? - I speak as a fool - I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
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Cross References
Acts 15:20
But that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
Acts 21:25
"But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality."
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Revelation 2:20
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
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Cross References
Leviticus 17:14
"for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.'
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 5:1
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles - that a man has his father's wife!
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.
1 Corinthians 7:2
Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
Colossians 3:5
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.
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Cross References
Acts 11:27
And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.
Ephesians 4:11
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.
Revelation 18:20
"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!"
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Cross References
Acts 14:22
Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 18:23
After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
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Cross References
Mark 5:34
And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.
Acts 16:36
So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.
1 Corinthians 16:11
Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.
Hebrews 11:31
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
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Cross References
Acts 13:1
Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
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Cross References
Acts 12:12
So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.
Acts 12:25
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.
Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him).
2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
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Cross References
Acts 13:13
Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.
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Cross References
Acts 4:36
And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus.
Acts 13:4
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
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Cross References
Acts 11:23
When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
Acts 14:26
From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
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Cross References
Acts 16:5
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.