Part 20

015:009 and He made no difference between us and them, in that He cleansed their hearts by their faith.

015:010 Now, therefore, why try an experiment upon God, by laying on the necks of these disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear?

015:011 On the contrary, we believe that it is by the grace of the Lord Jesus that we, as well as they, shall be saved."

015:012 Then the whole assembly remained silent while they listened to the statement made by Paul and Barnabas as to all the signs and marvels that God had done among the Gentiles through their instrumentality.

015:013 When they had finished speaking, James said, "Brethren, listen to me.

015:014 Symeon has related how God first looked graciously on the Gentiles to take from among them a People to be called by His name.

015:015 And this is in harmony with the language of the Prophets, which says:

015:016 "`"Afterwards I will return, and will rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will set it up again;

015:017 In order that the rest of mankind may earnestly seek the Lord-- even all the nations which are called by My name,"

015:018 Says the Lord, who has been making these things known from ages long past.'

015:019 "My judgement, therefore, is against inflicting unexpected annoyance on those of the Gentiles who are turning to God.

015:020 Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood.

015:021 For Moses from the earliest times has had his preachers in every town, being read, as he is, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the various synagogues."

015:022 Thereupon it was decided by the Apostles and Elders, with the approval of the whole Church, to choose suitable persons from among themselves and send them to Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas. Judas, called Bar-sabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren, were selected,

015:023 and they took with them the following letter: "The Apostles and the elder brethren send greeting to the Gentile brethren throughout Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.

015:024 As we have been informed that certain persons who have gone out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have unsettled your minds, without having received any such instructions from us;

015:025 we have unanimously decided to select certain men and send them to you in company with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,

015:026 who have endangered their very lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

015:027 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who are themselves bringing you the same message by word of mouth.

015:028 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no burden heavier than these necessary requirements--

015:029 You must abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. Keep yourselves clear of these things, and it will be well with you. Farewell."

015:030 They, therefore, having been solemnly sent, came down to Antioch, where they called together the whole assembly and delivered the letter.

015:031 The people read it, and were delighted with the comfort it brought them.

015:032 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also Prophets, gave them a long and encouraging talk, and strengthened them in the faith.

015:033 After spending some time there they received an affectionate farewell from the brethren to return to those who had sent them.

015:034 []

015:035 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and, in company with many others, telling the Good News of the Lord's Message.

015:036 After a while Paul said to Barnabas, "Suppose we now revisit the brethren in the various towns in which we have made known the Lord's Message--to see whether they are prospering!"