The Jerusalem Council
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y But some men came down from Judea and were teaching z the brothers, "Unless you are a circumcised b according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved."
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And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and c debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and d some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to e the apostles and the elders about this question.
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So, f being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, g describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and h brought great joy to all i the brothers.
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j When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and k the apostles and the elders, and g they declared all that God had done with them.
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But some believers who belonged to l the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, m "It is necessary n to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses."
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o The k apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.
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And after there had been much p debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, q that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear r the word of s the gospel and believe.
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And God, t who knows the heart, u bore witness to them, v by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us,
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and w he made no distinction between us and them, x having cleansed their hearts y by faith.
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Now, therefore, why z are you putting God to the test a by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples b that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
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But we c believe that we will be d saved through e the grace of the Lord Jesus, w just as they will."
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And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul f as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
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After they finished speaking, g James replied, "Brothers, listen to me.
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h Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them i a people for his name.
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And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
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j "'After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
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that the remnant of mankind k may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles l who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things
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m known from of old.'
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Therefore n my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who o turn to God,
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but should write to them p to abstain from q the things polluted by idols, and from r sexual immorality, and from s what has been strangled, and from s blood.
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For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, t for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues."
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Cross References
Acts 15:24
Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions.
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Cross References
Acts 15:3
So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
Acts 15:22 - 23
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers.
Acts 15:36
And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.
Acts 15:40
But Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
John 21:23
So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?
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Cross References
Acts 15:5
But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.
Galatians 5:2
Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.
1 Corinthians 7:18
Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
Galatians 2:11
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.
Galatians 2:14
But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?
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Cross References
Acts 6:14
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.
Leviticus 12:3
And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
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Cross References
Acts 15:7
And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
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Cross References
Galatians 2:1 - 2
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me.
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Cross References
Acts 15:4
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed...
Acts 15:6
The apostles and the elders were gathered toget...
Acts 15:22 - 23
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the eld...
Acts 16:4
As they went on their way through the cities, t...
Acts 5:12
Now many signs and wonders were regularly done ...
Acts 11:30
And they did so, sending it to the elders by th...
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Cross References
Acts 21:5
When our days there were ended, we departed and...
Romans 15:24
I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, ...
1 Corinthians 16:6
And perhaps I will stay with you or even spend ...
1 Corinthians 16:11
So let no one despise him. Help him on his way ...
2 Corinthians 1:16
I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, a...
Titus 3:13
Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apol...
3 John 1:6
Who testified to your love before the church. Y...
Acts 17:15
Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as ...
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Cross References
Acts 14:27
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
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Cross References
Acts 11:18
When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.
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Cross References
Acts 15:1
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
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Cross References
Acts 21:17
When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
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Cross References
Acts 15:2
And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
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Cross References
Acts 15:3
So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers.
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Cross References
Acts 24:5
For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
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Cross References
Acts 15:1
But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.
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Cross References
Galatians 5:3
I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
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Cross References
Acts 15:12
And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Acts 15:25
It has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.
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Cross References
Acts 15:4
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
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Cross References
Acts 15:2
And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.
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Cross References
Acts 10:20
Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.
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Cross References
Ephesians 1:13
In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
Colossians 1:5
Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel.
1 Thessalonians 1:5
Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.
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Cross References
Acts 20:24
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
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Cross References
Acts 1:24
And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
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Cross References
Acts 14:3
So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
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Cross References
Acts 10:44
While Peter was still saying these things, the ...
Acts 10:47
"Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these ...
Acts 11:15
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on th...
Acts 11:17
If then God gave the same gift to them as he ga...
Acts 15:28
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and t...
Galatians 3:2
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the S...
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Cross References
Acts 11:12
And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.
Romans 3:22 - 24
The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
Ephesians 3:6
This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Acts 10:28
And he said to them, "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.
Acts 10:34
So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality.
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Cross References
Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Acts 26:18
To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
1 Peter 1:22
Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
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Cross References
Acts 10:43
To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
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Cross References
Psalms 106:14
But they had a wanton craving in the wilderness, and put God to the test in the desert.
Isaiah 7:12
But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.
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Cross References
Galatians 5:1
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Acts 15:28
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
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Cross References
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 23:4
They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
Luke 11:46
And he said, "Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
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Cross References
Acts 16:31
And they said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.
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Cross References
Ephesians 2:5
Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made ...
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith....
2 Timothy 1:9
Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, n...
Titus 2:11
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing sal...
Titus 3:7
So that being justified by his grace we might b...
Romans 3:24
And are justified by his grace as a gift, throu...
1 Thessalonians 5:9
For God has not destined us for wrath, but to o...
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Cross References
Romans 5:15
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.
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Cross References
Acts 15:9
And he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.
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Cross References
Acts 15:4
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them.
Acts 14:27
And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
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Cross References
Acts 12:17
But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things to James and to the brothers." Then he departed and went to another place.
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Cross References
Acts 15:7
And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
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Cross References
Acts 18:10
For I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.
Deuteronomy 7:6
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
Isaiah 43:21
The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
Romans 9:24 - 26
Even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
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Cross References
Amos 9:11 - 12
In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old.
Jeremiah 12:15
And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land.
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Cross References
Amos 9:11 - 12
In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old.
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Cross References
Acts 17:27
That they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.
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Cross References
Isaiah 43:7
Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.
Jeremiah 14:9
Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.
Daniel 9:19
O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay attention and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.
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Cross References
Isaiah 45:21
Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the Lord ? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me.
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Cross References
Acts 15:28
For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
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Cross References
Acts 14:15
Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.
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Cross References
Acts 21:25
But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.
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Cross References
Acts 15:29
That you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
Ezekiel 4:13 - 14
And the Lord said, "Thus shall the people of Israel eat their bread unclean, among the nations where I will drive them.
Daniel 1:8
But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.
Malachi 1:7
By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, 'How have we polluted you?' By saying that the Lord 's table may be despised.
Malachi 1:12
But you profane it when you say that the Lord's table is polluted, and its fruit, that is, its food may be despised.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:7 - 8
Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality.
Revelation 2:20
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
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Cross References
Leviticus 3:17
It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.
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Cross References
Leviticus 3:17
It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.
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Cross References
Acts 13:15
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.
2 Corinthians 3:14 - 15
But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
Acts 13:27
For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.