Study Desk

^(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.

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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,

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^(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,

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

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

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

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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."

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