The Circumcision Controversy
Study note
Men from Judaea arrive in Antioch teaching that Gentile believers must be circumcised according to Moses' law to be saved. Paul and Barnabas strongly oppose this teaching. The church sends them to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles and elders about this critical question. Along the way, they report the Gentile conversions, bringing great joy. In Jerusalem, some Pharisee believers insist that the Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the entire law.
1 Then some men came from Judaea. They started teaching the believers, "You cannot be saved unless you get circumcised the way Moses commanded." And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
2 Paul and Barnabas argued strongly against this teaching. So the church sent Paul, Barnabas, and a few others to Jerusalem. They wanted the apostles and elders to settle the matter. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
3 The church sent them off on their trip. As they passed through Phenice and Samaria, they shared the exciting news about how non-Jewish people were coming to God. This made all the believers along the way extremely happy. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
4 When they reached Jerusalem, the church, the apostles, and the elders gave them a warm welcome. Paul and Barnabas reported everything God had done through their ministry. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
5 But some believers who had been Pharisees stood up and said, "These non-Jewish believers must be circumcised! They must be told to obey the whole law of Moses!" But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Peter, Paul, and Barnabas Address the Council
Study note
After much debate, Peter stands and reminds the council that God chose him to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to Jewish believers. He argues that God made no distinction between Jew and Gentile, purifying Gentile hearts by faith. Peter declares that all are saved through the grace of Jesus Christ alone and challenges the council not to burden the Gentiles with a yoke that even Israel could not bear. The assembly then listens silently as Barnabas and Paul describe the signs and wonders God performed among the Gentiles.
6 The apostles and elders held a special meeting to talk this through. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
7 After a long debate, Peter stood and said, "Brothers, you all know that a while back God picked me to bring the good news to the Gentiles. He chose me so they could hear it and believe." And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
8 God knows everyone's heart. He showed he accepted the non-Jewish people by giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he gave it to us. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 God treated them no differently than he treated us. He made their hearts clean through faith. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 So why are you testing God now? You are putting heavy rules on these new believers. Those rules were too heavy for our ancestors and for us to carry. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 We believe the same thing they do: it is the grace of the Lord Jesus that saves us, period." But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
12 The whole room went silent. Everyone listened as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
James's Decision and the Council's Letter
Study note
James speaks last, citing the prophet Amos to show that God always intended to include the Gentiles among his people. He proposes that the council should not burden Gentile believers with the full law but should ask them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled animals, and from blood. The council agrees and sends a letter with chosen delegates to Antioch, affirming that the men who had demanded circumcision had no authorization from them. The letter credits the Holy Spirit's guidance in their decision.
13 After they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, hear me out. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
14 Simeon explained how God first chose to bring non-Jewish people to himself. He wanted to gather a people who would carry his name. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
15 This lines up perfectly with what the prophets wrote: And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
16 'Later on, I will come back and rebuild what has fallen in David's house. I will restore its ruins and set it up again, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
17 "Then the rest of the people will look for the Lord. Even all the nations that carry my name," says the Lord. He has always planned this. That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
18 God has known about all of this since the beginning of time. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
19 So This is what I think we should do: let us not pile unnecessary burdens on Gentiles who are turning to God. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
20 Instead, we should send them a letter. We should ask them to stay away from food offered to idols, from sexual sin, from meat of strangled animals, and from blood. But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21 "After all, the teachings of Moses have been preached in every city for many years. They are read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath." For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
22 The apostles, elders, and the whole church agreed on a plan. They picked people to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (also called Barsabas) and Silas, both respected leaders. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
23 They sent this letter: "From the apostles, elders, and fellow believers. To our non-Jewish brothers and sisters in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings! And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
24 We heard that some people from our group came to you and caused confusion with what they taught. They upset you by insisting you had to be circumcised and follow the law. We never authorized them to say that. Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
25 So we all agreed to send some of our best people to you. They will come along with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul. It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 who have put their lives on the line for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We are sending Judas and Silas to tell you the same things in person. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
28 The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any heavy load on you except these few things: For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29 Stay away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from strangled animals, and from sexual sin. If you avoid these things, you will be doing the right thing. Take care." That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
The Letter Received in Antioch
Study note
The delegation delivers the letter to Antioch, and the church rejoices at its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who are prophets, strengthen and encourage the believers before Silas decides to remain in Antioch. Paul and Barnabas continue teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
30 The group headed down to Antioch. Once there, they gathered the whole congregation together and handed over the letter. So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:
31 When the people read it, they were overjoyed at the encouraging message. Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.
32 Judas and Silas were prophets themselves. They spent much time cheering up and making the believers stronger. And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.
33 After staying for a while, the believers sent them off with blessings of peace back to those who had sent them. And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.
34 But Silas chose to stay in Antioch. Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.
35 Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch. They taught and preached the Lord's message there along with many others. Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Paul and Barnabas Separate
Study note
Paul proposes revisiting the churches from their first journey. Barnabas wants to bring John Mark, but Paul disagrees because Mark had abandoned them in Pamphylia. The disagreement is so sharp that they part ways -- Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus while Paul chooses Silas and travels through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Though painful, the separation results in two missionary teams instead of one.
36 After some time had passed, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the believers in every city where we shared the Lord's message. I want to see how they are getting along." And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.
37 Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark along with them. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.
38 But Paul did not think they should bring Mark along. Mark had left them in Pamphylia and had not stayed to help with the work. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they went their separate ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed off to Cyprus. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;
40 Paul picked Silas as his partner instead. The believers prayed over them, committing them to the Lord's grace, and they set out. And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
41 Paul and Silas went through Syria and Cilicia. They helped the churches grow stronger. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.