The Council at Jerusalem

Some men from Judea taught the brothers at Antioch, "Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can't be saved." There was no small discord. So Paul, Barnabas, and others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria. They reported the conversion of the Gentiles and caused great joy. In Jerusalem, some believers from the party of the Pharisees insisted that Gentiles be circumcised and keep the law.

After much discussion, Peter recalled how God chose that the Gentiles should hear the gospel from his mouth. God, who knows the heart, testified by giving them the Holy Spirit. He made no distinction, cleansing their hearts by faith. Why test God by putting on the disciples a yoke that neither their fathers nor they were able to bear? "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are" (Acts 15:11).

After Barnabas and Paul reported God's signs among the Gentiles, James spoke. Simeon had described how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. The prophets agreed. Amos wrote of rebuilding David's tent so that the rest of men may seek the Lord. James judged that they should not trouble Gentiles who turn to God. They should write asking them to abstain from idols, sexual immorality, what is strangled, and blood.

Judas and Silas carried a letter with Paul and Barnabas. It said that it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to them to lay no greater burden than these necessary things. Antioch rejoiced over the encouragement. Some time later Paul proposed revisiting the churches. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark. But Paul thought it unwise because Mark had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia. The contention was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas sailed to Cyprus with Mark. Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the assemblies.