Acts — Chapter 15

📖 Acts — Chapter 15 (KJV)

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Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

Acts 15:1 And ^Rcertain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

Acts 15:2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, ^Rthey determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

Acts 15:3 And being ^Rbrought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were ^Rreceived of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Acts 15:5 But there rose up certain of ^Rthe sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

Acts 15:6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

Acts 15:7 And when there had been ^Rmuch disputing, 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.

Acts 15:8 And God, ^Rwhich knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

Acts 15:9 And ^Rput no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

Acts 15:10 Now therefore ^Rwhy tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

Acts 15:11 But we believe ^Rthat through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Acts 15:12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, ^Rdeclaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

Acts 15:13 And ^Rafter they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

Acts 15:14 ^RSimeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Acts 15:15 ^RAnd to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Acts 15:16 After ^Rthis 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:

Acts 15:17 That ^Rthe 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.

Acts 15:18 ^RKnown unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

Acts 15:19 Wherefore my sentence is, ^Rthat we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain ^Rfrom pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every ^Rsabbath day.

Acts 15:22 Then ^Rpleased 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:

Acts 15:23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; ^RThe apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia.

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, ^Rthat 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:

Acts 15:25 It ^Rseemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

Acts 15:26 Men that have ^Rhazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 15:27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, ^Rwho shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

Acts 15:28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no ^Rgreater burden than these necessary things;

Acts 15:29 That ^Rye 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.

Acts 15:30 So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: ^Rand when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

Acts 15:31 Which when they had read, ^Rthey rejoiced for the consolation.

Acts 15:32 And Judas and Silas, ^Rbeing prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

Acts 15:33 And after they had tarried there a space, ^Rthey were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

Acts 15:34 Notwithstanding ^Rit pleased Silas to abide there still.

Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas ^Rcontinued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 15:36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, ^RLet us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.

Acts 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them ^RJohn, whose surname was Mark.

Acts 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, ^Rwho departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

Acts 15:39 And ^Rthe contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

Acts 15:40 And Paul ^Rchose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

Acts 15:41 And he went ^Rthrough Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

Acts 15:1–12 — A dispute concerning circumcision is brought into shared counsel

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Some insist that Gentiles must be circumcised, and Paul and Barnabas bring the dispute to Jerusalem. Peter recalls God’s gift of the Spirit and cleansing by faith, while the missionaries report God’s work among Gentiles.

Key Truth: Resolve serious disagreement through honest testimony and attention to God’s work.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

Acts 15:13–29 — James recalls Scripture and a letter is agreed

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

James connects the Gentile response with prophetic promise and proposes practical instructions. The apostles, elders, and church send chosen men with a letter distinguishing the agreed counsel from unauthorized demands.

Key Truth: Make shared instruction clear rather than burdening others with unsupported requirements.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

Acts 15:30–41 — The letter encourages believers while a mission partnership divides

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

The Antioch believers receive the letter with comfort, and further ministry continues. Paul and Barnabas disagree over John Mark; Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus, and Paul chooses Silas and strengthens churches.

Key Truth: Do not pretend that disagreement removes the need for faithful service.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

Amos 9:11 — James cites the promise of restored Davidic dwelling in relation to the Gentiles.

Amos 9:11 (KJV) In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

What would truthful evidence and clear communication change in a disagreement you face?

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