Study Desk

^(C1)Some men came down from Judea and began teaching ^(C2)the brothers, "Unless you are ^(C3)circumcised according to ^(C4)the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."

And after Paul and Barnabas had ^(F1)a heated argument and ^(C1)debate with them, ^(C2)the brothers determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the ^(C3)apostles and elders concerning this issue.

Therefore, after being ^(C1)sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both ^(C2)Phoenicia and Samaria, ^(C3)describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they were bringing great joy to all ^(C4)the brothers and sisters.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they were received by the church, ^(C1)the apostles, and the elders, and they ^(C2)reported all that God had done with them.

But some of ^(C1)the sect of the ^(C2)Pharisees who had believed stood up, saying, "It is necessary to ^(C3)circumcise ^(F1)them and to direct them to keep the Law of Moses."

^(C1)The apostles and the elders came together to ^(F1)look into this ^(F2)matter.

After there had been much ^(C1)debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "^(F1)Brothers, you know that ^(F2)in the early days ^(C2)God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of ^(C3)the gospel and believe.

"And God, ^(C1)who knows the heart, testified to them ^(C2)giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us;

and ^(C1)He made no distinction between us and them, ^(C2)cleansing their hearts by faith.

"Since this is the case, why are you ^(C1)putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which ^(C2)neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?

"But we believe that we are saved through ^(C1)the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are."

All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were ^(C1)relating all the ^(C2)signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles.

After they stopped speaking, ^(F1)(C1)James responded, saying, "^(F2)Brothers, listen to me.

"^(C1)Simeon has described how God first concerned Himself about taking a people for His name from among the Gentiles.

"The words of ^(C1)the Prophets agree with this, just as it is written:

'^(C1)AFTER THESE THINGS ^(C2)I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE FALLEN ^(F1)TABERNACLE OF DAVID, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT,

^(C1)SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES ^(F1)(C2)WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,'

^(C1)SAYS THE LORD, WHO ^(F1)(C2)MAKES THESE THINGS known from long ago.

"Therefore, it is ^(C1)my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God,

but that we write to them that they abstain from ^(F1)(C1)things contaminated by idols, from ^(C2)acts of sexual immorality, from ^(C3)what has been ^(F2)strangled, and from blood.

"For ^(C1)from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since ^(F1)he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath."

Then it seemed good to ^(C1)the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to ^(C2)Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and ^(C3)Silas, leading men among ^(C4)the brothers,

and they ^(F1)sent this letter with them: "^(C1)The apostles and the brothers who are elders, to ^(C2)the brothers and sisters in ^(C3)Antioch, ^(C4)Syria, and ^(C5)Cilicia who are from the Gentiles: ^(C6)Greetings.

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

Since we have heard that ^(C1)some ^(F1)of our number to whom we gave no instruction have ^(C2)confused you by their ^(F2)teaching, upsetting your souls,

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

^(C1)it seemed good to us, having ^(F1)become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

men who have ^(F1)(C1)risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

Therefore, we have sent ^(C1)Judas and ^(C2)Silas, who themselves will also report the same things by word of mouth.

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

For ^(C1)it seemed good to ^(C2)the Holy Spirit and to ^(C3)us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

that you abstain from ^(C1)things sacrificed to idols, from ^(C1)blood, from ^(C1)things strangled, and from ^(C1)acts of sexual immorality; ^(F1)if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell."

Footnotes:  

Cross References:  

So when they were sent away, ^(C1)they went down to Antioch; and after gathering the ^(F1)congregation together, they delivered the letter.

When they had read it, they rejoiced because of its ^(F1)encouragement.

^(C1)Judas and ^(C2)Silas, also being ^(C3)prophets themselves, ^(F1)encouraged and strengthened ^(C4)the brothers and sisters with a lengthy message.

After they had spent time there, they were sent away from the brothers and sisters ^(C1)in peace to those who had ^(C2)sent them out.^(F1)

But ^(C1)Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch, teaching and ^(C2)preaching ^(C3)the word of the Lord, with many others also.