Acts Chapter 15

Acts 15

Conflict over circumcision and law of Moses

1 And a certain people come down from Judea, teaching the brethren, that, in case you are not circumcised by the custom of the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.

2 Moreover, the controversy/positional stand generates not a small disputation for Paul and Barnabas towards them. So, they assign, Paul and Barnabas, and certain others from them, to go up towards the Apostles and Elders, unto Jerusalem concerning this issue.

3 they were indeed aided forward by the Church and they travel through Phoenicia (Palm country) and Samaria, narrating what has been done and the great joy of conversion of Heathen races to all the brethren.

4 Moreso, they arrived unto Jerusalem, and welcomed back from the churches, by the Apostles and the Elders and they rehearse as much that God has done amidst them; - 

5 - but, certain persons produced from the sects of Pharisees, who have believed, said, they must command them to be circumcised and be keeping the law of Moses.

Christian General-council meeting at Jerusalem

6 The Apostles and the Elders assemble together, to discern concerning this matter.

7 Nevertheless, having generated much disputation, Peter stands up and says to them, fellow-men and brethren, you understand from me, that, in the early days, God chose the heathen races to hear the word of good-news through my mouth, and they believed.

8 And God, the HEART-KNOWER (G2589) testified to it, by giving them the Holy SPIRIT, just as us,

9 and nothing to dissect/discern between us and them, by faith, their hearts is purified. 

10 therefore now, why testing God, by imposing a yoke upon the neck of disciples, what neither our fathers, nor we, was capable to bear?

11 But, they have Faith, through the Grace of the Lord Jesus, and even we, it is according to the mode by which we are saved.

12 So, all the multitude keep silent and hear BarNabas and Paul unfold as many signs and wonders which God has done, within the heathen-nations, through them.

13 Also, amid their keeping silent, James (the Lord's Brother) answers, saying, fellow-men and brethren, hear me.

14 Simon has firstly rehearsed, just as God visited (him), to take people for HIS NAME out of the heathen-nations

15 And this agree together with the words of the prophets, as written:

16 Amid this, I will return and rebuild the fallen tabernacle of David; and I will build its ruins again and make it upright,

17 any how, God will possibly seek after the remnants of men, and all the Heathen-races, upon whom I will invoke MY NAME, says the Supreme God, (who shall) do these things upon them. (Amos 9:11-12)

18 well known from ages, {the works of God is the same to all}.

19 on this account, I judge: do not further harass those who, return to God, from the Heathen nations.

20 but, communicate to them by Letter (epistle), to keep away from blood of strangled animals and idols and defilement in sexual immoralities.

21 because, Moses, away from ancient generation, had those who proclaimed, in the synagogue, in every city, reading the same thing on all Sabbaths. (the idea behind epistles)

The conclusion of the meeting and the first circular/letter dispatched

22 At this time, the Apostles and the Presbyterians (Elders) together with the whole Church, think of choosing men from them, who will be dispatched unto ANTIOCH and called forth together with Paul and Barnabas are, Judah BarSabas, and Silas (Silvanus), who is to direct/lead among the fellow-men and brethren:

23 Written through the hands of the Apostles and Elders, to their Brethren in Antioch of Syria (Tsyria in Asia) and Cilicia (Asia minor) even to Brethren from Heathen-nations, cheers. 

24 Since we heard that certain persons from us, proceeded forth to trouble you by words, which repackage/subvert your soul, + saying, be circumcised and keep the law +, those whom we have not instructed;

25 we happen to unanimously think of dispatching towards you, by choosing fellow-men, together with our Beloved Barnabas and Paul,.. 

26 ... men who have surrendered their souls, for the sake of the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27 we therefore send Judah and Silas (Silvanus), and they will report on account of the same matter.

28 for we think by the Holy Spirit, (that) no man should impose more burden upon you, besides these necessary things: (cf: Rev 2:24).

29 Keep away yourselves from things offers to idols, and blood, and strangled animals, and sexual immortalities (harlotry, adultery, incest, fornication), it is well (eu) to repeatedly practice those things to be maintained and be strengthened/faring-well.

Evangelism continues in Antioch (Syria) - a pivotal church in Paul ministry 

30 Having freed them, then, they came down to Antioch, and assemble the multitude together, to deliver the epistle.

31 Moreover, having read it, they rejoice upon the exhortation.

32 Judah and Silas also, being prophets (inspired-speakers), on account of the matter, exhorted the brethren very much to support/strengthen them.

33 however, things are done over a space of time with peace and they were freed from the brethren, towards those who sent them.

34 {but, Silas thinks of staying over with them}

35 So, Paul and Barnabas tarry in Antioch, teaching the word of the Lord, and proclaiming the gospel, also with many others,

John-Mark case causes separation between Paul and Barnabas (Act 13:13)

36 Moreover, amid some days, Paul said toward BarNabas with emphasy; we should return now to inspect how much the brethren could hold on to things of the Lord, in all the cities, in which we have proclaimed the words

37 however, BarNabas was willing to call forth John-Mark also and be taken along together;

38 but, Paul deem it fit, not to take him along, having departed from them from Pamphilia, and never went together with them unto the work, (Act 13:13)

Barnabas departed to Cyprus (Mediterranean Island) and Paul to Syria (Asia) 

39 but, there happened to be a sharp contention (paroxysm), in so much that they were rend apart from one another. And Barnabas accept Mark, and sail away to Cyprus;

40 Paul, chooses Silas, who has also surrendered and proceeded forth under the breathren by the grace of the Lord.

41 So, they traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.