The Strand Study Bible

ACTS 14:27  15:23

1809

Paul’s First Missionary Journey Ends

10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, 10 to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, 11 which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 12 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 agrees with Peter - “Circumcision (that is, the keeping of the OT Law) is not necessary for salvation” 13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and breth- ren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, The promise of Israel’s restoration (Fulfilled - Rev 20:4) 16 12 After this I will return, 13 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: P 17 12 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 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 19 Wherefore my sentence is, 14 that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we 15 write unto them, that they abstain 16 from pollutions of idols, 17 and from fornication, 18 and from things strangled, 19 and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, 20 being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they re- hearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode 1 long time with the disciples. READ NEXT - Galatians 2:1-10 Acts 15 Paul attends council at Jerusalem Date - AD 50 1 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised 2 after the man- ner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, 3 they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, 4 should go up to Jerusalem unto the apos- tles and elders about this question. 3 And being brought on their way by 5 the church, they passed through 6 Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4 And when they were come to Jerusa- lem, they were received of the 7 church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5 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. 6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. Peter argues - Salvation is by grace and not by the works of the Law 7 And when there had been much dis- puting, 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 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare themwitness, 8 giving them the HOLY GHOST , 9 even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

1. or, “from A.D. 47-50” 2. Lev 12:3 & Jn 7:22-23 3. that is, “the church at Antioch” 4. Gal 2:1-10 5. that is, “the church at Antioch” – vs 2 6. or, “Phoenicia” 7. that is, “the church at Jerusalem” 8. Acts 10:44 & 11:15 9. Acts 2:1-4 12. Quoted from the OT - Amos 9:11-12 13. Fulfilled - Rev 20:4 (Israel’s Restoration) 14. or, “that we don’t require Gentile believers to become circumcised” 15. Acts 21:25 & Rev 2:14,20 10. Gal 5:1-6 11. Lev 18:5

16. Exo 20:3-5 17. Exo 20:14 18. Gen 9:4 & Lev 22:8

19. Lev 17:10-14 20. II Cor 3:14-16 21. Acts 1:23

22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to An- tioch with Paul and 21 Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after 15:1 Sound familiar? Just substitute the verbiage that some of our modern day religious movements use to see just how familiar this statement really is. For example: “Except ye be baptized after the manner of the Catholics or the United Pentecostal or the Church of Christ , ye cannot be saved.” “Except ye give up nicotine and/or caffeine after the manner of Jehovah’s Witnesses or the Mormans , ye cannot be saved.” “Except ye speak in tongues after the manner of certain Charismatic churches, ye cannot be saved.” “Except ye worship after the manner of this church or that church, ye cannot be saved.”