1Some men came down from Judea and taught the believers, “Unless you are circumcised according to Moses’ custom, you cannot be saved.”
2Because Paul and Barnabas had a major disagreement and debate with them, it was decided that Paul and Barnabas, along with some others, should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to discuss this question.
3The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told everyone about the non-Jews becoming believers. This news brought great joy to all the Christians.
4When they arrived in Jerusalem, the church, the apostles, and the elders welcomed them, and they reported everything God had done with them.
5But some believers who belonged to the group of the Pharisees stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and order them to obey the Law of Moses."
6The apostles and the elders gathered to discuss this matter.
7After a long discussion, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that a while ago God chose me from among you so that the non-Jewish people would hear the message of the Good News from me and believe.
8God, who knows people's hearts, showed his approval of them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did us.
9He made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts through faith.
10So now, why are you testing God by placing a burden on the followers that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to carry?
11Instead, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are."
12The whole group became silent and listened as Barnabas and Paul described all the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the non-Jewish people through them.
13After they finished speaking, James replied, "Brothers, listen to me.
14Simeon has explained how God first showed his concern for the non-Jewish people in order to choose a people for himself from among them.
15This matches what the prophets wrote. As it is written:
16'After these things I will return. I will rebuild David's fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it,
17so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord—all the non-Jewish people who are called by my name,' says the Lord, who does all these things.
18'All of God’s works have been known to him since the beginning of time.'
19Therefore, my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for those non-Jews who are turning to God,
20but instead, we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating meat from strangled animals, and from blood.
21For Moses has had people in every city for generations who preach his Law, which is read in the synagogues every Sabbath."
22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, along with the whole church, to choose some men from their group and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, who were leading men among the brothers.
23They wrote this letter by hand: "The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the non-Jewish brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24Since we have heard that some people who went from us have troubled you with words and upset your minds, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law'—though we gave them no such instruction—
25it seemed good to us, having reached a unanimous agreement, to choose men and send them to you with our dear Barnabas and Paul,
26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27Therefore, we have sent Judas and Silas, who will also tell you the same things in person."
28The Holy Spirit and we agreed not to place any more burdens on you than these necessary things:
29You must not eat food offered to idols, or blood, or animals that have been strangled. You must also avoid sexual immorality. If you stay away from these things, you will do well. Goodbye.
30So the men were sent off and came to Antioch. They gathered the whole group together and delivered the letter.
31When the people read it, they were happy because of the encouragement it gave them.
32Judas and Silas, who were also prophets, encouraged the believers with many words and strengthened them.
33After spending some time there, the believers sent them back to the apostles with greetings.
35But Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Lord's message, along with many others.
36After some days, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back now and visit our brothers in every city where we announced the Lord's message, to see how they are doing."
37Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them.
38But Paul did not think it was a good idea to take along someone who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work.
39The disagreement became so sharp that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark and sailed off to Cyprus,
40but Paul chose Silas and left, entrusted by the brothers to the grace of God.
41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.