|
Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name (15:14) And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, (15:15) 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: (15:16) 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 (15:17) Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world (15:18) Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: (15:19) But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood. (15:20) com1 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day (15:21) 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: (15:22) 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: (15:23) 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: (15:24) It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, (15:25) Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (15:26) We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell [you] the same things by mouth (15:27) For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; (15:28) 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 (15:29) So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle: (15:30) [Which] when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation (15:31) And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed [them] (15:32) And after they had tarried [there] a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles (15:33) Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still (15:34) Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also (15:35) 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 (15:36) And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark (15:37) But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work (15:38) 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; (15:39) And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God (15:40) And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches
(15:41)
|