Acts 15 (NMV)
1 Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
2 After Paul and Barnabas had a serious debate and argument with them, the church appointed Paul, Barnabas, and some others to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue.
3 When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters.
4 When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported everything God had done through them.
5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses."
6 The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter.
7 After much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that through my mouth the Gentiles [non-Jews] would hear the message of the good news and believe.
8 And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.
9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
10 So then, why are you testing God by placing a yoke on the disciples' necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear?
11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way they are."
12 The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
13 After they finished speaking, James responded, "Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.
15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 After these things I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. I will rebuild its ruins and set it up again,
17 so that the rest of humanity may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who makes these things
18 They have been known by God from eternity past.'
19 Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.
21 For since ancient times, Moses has been proclaimed in every city and is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath."
22 Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers.
23 They wrote this letter to be delivered by them: From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and upset you with their words and unsettled your minds,
25 we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally tell you the same things by word of mouth.
28 For it was the Holy Spirit's decision, and ours, not to place further burdens on you beyond these essential things:
29 that you abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you carefully avoid these, you will do well. Farewell.
30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter.
31 When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement.
32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged and strengthened the brothers and sisters with a long message.
33 After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them.
34 [Some manuscripts include: But Silas decided to remain there.]
35 But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord.
36 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit the brothers and sisters in every town where we have preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing."
37 Barnabas wanted to take along John Mark.
38 But Paul insisted that they should not take along this man who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.
40 But Paul chose Silas and departed, being entrusted by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.