Q: Should Christians Obey Jewish Rules?
1Some men from Judea [1] showed up and told people in the church, “Unless you men get yourselves circumcised, like the custom of Moses says, you can’t get saved.” [2] 2Paul and Barnabas got angry like you wouldn’t believe. They argued up and down with those men. Antioch church leaders decided to send Paul and Barnabas and some others to Jerusalem to talk about this problem with the apostles and other top church leaders in the movement. 3So the church sent them on their way. The men traveled south, passing through Phoenicia [3] and Samaria. [4] As they traveled, they told people all about how non-Jews were converting to the faith. This delighted believers everywhere. 4When the men finally arrived in Jerusalem, apostles and other church leaders welcomed them. The men from Antioch told the church leaders about everything they saw God do.“Christian Men Need to Be Circumcised”
5One group of believers didn’t like what they were hearing. They were Pharisees [5] who had come to believe in Jesus. They said, “People who want to get saved have to obey the laws of Moses, including the law about circumcision.” 6That topic is the very reason the apostles and other church leaders had called this meeting.7The debate went on for a long time. Eventually, Peter stood up and said, “My dear brothers, you know that a long time ago God picked me out of this crowd of leaders. He chose me as the one who would be the first to deliver the good news to non-Jews, so they could hear the story of Jesus and believe it. 8God, who knows what’s in the heart of each one of us, confirmed that the non-Jews were authentic believers. He did this by giving them the Holy Spirit, in the same way he gave the Spirit to us. 9It didn’t make any difference to him that they weren’t Jews. He cleaned their hearts because of their faith, just as he did for us. 10So why on earth are you pushing back against God and trying to saddle these new, non-Jewish believers with our baggage? Admit it, even we couldn’t carry that load. Our ancestors couldn’t, either.
We’re Saved through the Lord’s Kindness
11“We believe we’ll be saved through the kindness [6] of the Lord Jesus. Our non-Jewish brothers believe exactly the same thing.”12The room slipped into silence. After the pause, everyone listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about the miracles God did through them as they ministered to non-Jews. 13When the two men finished speaking, James said, “My brothers, please listen to me. 14God cares about the non-Jews. He wants to make them his people. Peter [7] reminded us of how God revealed that to him first. 15What Peter reported tracks with what the prophets predicted:
16“‘I will come back.
David’s house [8] is in ruins,
but I will rebuild it.
I will make it like new.
17I’m doing this so all humans can have access to the Lord.
That includes non-Jews who show their faith in me by taking my name.
18God has spoken. He said these things long ago.’ [9] 19“Here’s what I think we should do about it. In my judgment, we shouldn’t make it tough on the non-Jews who are putting their faith in God. 20Instead, let’s write them a letter. Let’s ask them to follow just a few of our rules. We’ll tell them to stay away from anything associated with sacrifices made to idols. Don’t commit sexual sins. [10] Don’t eat meat from strangled animals. [11] And don’t drink blood or eat meat with blood still in it. [12] 21Since ancient times, we have taught these laws of Moses. And now we read them in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
Jewish Letter: “Dear Non-Jews . . .”
22Top leaders in the church—apostles and the older men—decided James had a good idea. So did the whole group of believers. They would send two delegates to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas. These delegates, leaders in the church, were Judas, also known as Barsabbas, along with Silas. [13] 23The men took this letter to believers in Antioch:Dear non-Jewish believers who live in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, [14]
We send our warmest greetings to you. We’re your brothers—the apostles and other church leaders in Jerusalem.
28Here’s what we decided, under the direction of the Holy Spirit. We won’t ask you to do anything more than the following. 29Stay away from meat sacrificed to idols, blood, animals strangled, and sex sins. If you can do that, you’ll do great. So long for now. 30So the men went to Antioch. They called a meeting of all the believers and delivered the letter. 31When they read the letter, the locals got happy-wild. The letter gave them a huge boost of encouragement. 32Judas and Silas were both prophets who delivered God’s messages to people. That’s what they did in Antioch, encouraging the believers and building them up. They talked a long time. [15] 33The men stayed for quite a while. When it came time to say goodbye, believers sent a warm greeting to the church in Jerusalem, wishing them peace. [16] 34Silas decided it would be a good idea to stay in Antioch. [17] 35Paul and Barnabas also stayed in Antioch. Like many others, they taught and preached the message of the Lord.
