Circumcision

1Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.”

2Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.

3They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.

4When they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the assembly and the apostles and the elders, and they reported all things that God had done with them.

5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”

6The apostles and the elders were gathered together to see about this matter.

7When there had been much discussion, Peter rose up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that a good while ago God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the nations should hear the word of the Good News, and believe.

8God, who knows the heart, testified about them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did to us.

9He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

10Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”

12All the multitude kept silence, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting what signs and wonders God had done among the nations through them.

13After they were silent, James answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

14Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.

15This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

16‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,

17That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.

18All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.’

19“Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

20but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

21For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”

22Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers.

23They wrote these things by their hand: “The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings.

24Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment;

25it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth.

28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things:

29that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.”

30So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

31When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement.

1He came to Derbe and Lystra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess who believed; but his father was a Greek.

2The brothers who were at Lystra and Iconium gave a good testimony about him.

3Paul wanted to have him go out with him, and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts; for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

18The day following, Paul went in with us to James; and all the elders were present.

19When he had greeted them, he reported one by one the things which God had worked among the Gentiles through his ministry.

20They, when they heard it, glorified God. They said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.

21They have been informed about you, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.

22What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.

23Therefore do what we tell you. We have four men who have taken a vow.

24Take them, and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses for them, that they may shave their heads. Then all will know that there is no truth in the things that they have been informed about you, but that you yourself also walk keeping the law.

25But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written our decision that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from food offered to idols, from blood, from strangled things, and from sexual immorality.”

26Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purified himself and went with them into the temple, declaring the fulfillment of the days of purification, until the offering was offered for every one of them.

19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.