The Council's Letter to Gentile Believers

Acts 15

22 Then it seemed good to u 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 v Barsabbas, and w Silas, leading men among x the brothers, 23 with the following letter: x "The brothers, both u the apostles and the elders, to the brothers 1 who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, y greetings. 24 Since we have heard that z some persons have gone out from us and a troubled you 2 with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come b to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our c beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 d men who have e risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent f Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good g to the Holy Spirit and h to us i to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 j that you abstain from k 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."

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves l prophets, encouraged and m strengthened n the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off o in peace by n the brothers to those who had sent them. 3 35 But p Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

  1. 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.
  2. Cross References
    Acts 1:23
    And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
  3. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:12
    By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
  4. 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.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 15:22
    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.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 15:22
    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.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 23:26
    Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.
    James 1:1
    James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
    2 John 1:10 - 11
    If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting.
  8. 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.
    Galatians 2:4
    Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in - who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery -
    Galatians 5:12
    I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
    Titus 1:10
    For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.
  9. Cross References
    Galatians 1:7
    Not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
    Galatians 5:10
    I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
  10. Cross References
    Acts 1:14
    All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
  11. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:15
    And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 9:23 - 25
    When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him.
    Acts 14:19
    But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
  13. 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.
    Acts 21:13
    Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
    2 Corinthians 4:11
    For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
    1 John 3:16
    By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 15:22
    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 15:32
    And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 15:8
    And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us.
    Acts 5:32
    And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
    John 16:13
    When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
    1 Corinthians 7:40
    Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 15:19
    Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.
  17. Cross References
    Acts 15:10
    Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
    Revelation 2:24
    But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not learned what some call the deep things of Satan, to you I say, I do not lay on you any other burden.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 15:20
    But should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 21:25
    But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we h...
    1 Corinthians 8:1
    Now concerning food offered to idols: we know t...
    1 Corinthians 8:4
    Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to ...
    1 Corinthians 8:7
    However, not all possess this knowledge. But so...
    1 Corinthians 8:10
    For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eatin...
    1 Corinthians 10:19
    What do I imply then? That food offered to idol...
    Revelation 2:14
    But I have a few things against you: you have s...
    Revelation 2:20
    But I have this against you, that you tolerate ...
  20. Cross References
    Acts 13:1
    Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
  21. Cross References
    Acts 14:22
    Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
  22. 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.
  23. Cross References
    Genesis 26:29
    That you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.
    Hebrews 11:31
    By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.
    1 Corinthians 16:11
    So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.
  24. Cross References
    Acts 15:32
    And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.
  25. Cross References
    Acts 13:1
    Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book