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Open English Bible (Commonwealth Spelling) - Acts - Acts 15

Acts 15:2-20

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2This gave rise to a serious dispute, and much discussion, between Paul and Barnabas and these people, and it was therefore settled that Paul and Barnabas and others of their number should go up to Jerusalem, to consult the apostles and church elders about the matter under discussion.
3The church, therefore, sent them on their journey, and they made their way through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling the story of the conversion of the Gentiles, to the great joy of all the followers.
4On their arrival at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, as well as by the apostles and the elders, and gave an account of all that God had helped them to do.
5Some of the Pharisees' party, however, who had become believers in Christ, came forward and declared that they were bound to circumcise converts and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.
6The apostles and the church elders held a meeting to consider this question.
7After much discussion, Peter rose and said: “You, my friends, know well that long ago God singled me out — that through my lips the Gentiles should hear the message of the good news, and become believers in Christ.
8Now God, who reads all hearts, declared his acceptance of the Gentiles, by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us.
9He made no distinction between them and us, when he purified their hearts by their faith.
10Why, then, do you now provoke God, by putting on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our ancestors nor we were able to bear?
11No, it is through the loving kindness of the Lord Jesus that we, just as they do, believe that we have been saved.”
12Every voice in the assembly was hushed, as they listened to Barnabas and Paul, while they gave an account of all the signs and wonders which God had shown amongst the Gentiles through them.
13After they had finished speaking, James addressed the Council. “Friends,” he began, “hear what I have to say.
14Simon has described the manner in which God first visited the Gentiles, in order to take from amongst them a people to bear his name.
15And that is in harmony with the words of the prophets, where they say —
16‘After this I will return; And I will rebuild the house of David which has fallen — Its ruins I will rebuild, And will set it up once more;
17That so the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord — Even all the Gentiles on whom my name has been bestowed.
18Says the Lord, as he does these things, known from long ago.’
19In my judgement, therefore, we should not add to the difficulties of those Gentiles who are turning to God,
20but we should write to them to abstain from food that has been polluted by being sacrificed to idols, from impurity, from eating the flesh of strangled animals, and from blood.

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