4
When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were received by the church and 1the apostles and the elders, and they 2reportedall that God had done with them.
5
But some of 3the sect of the 4Pharisees who had believedstood up, saying, "It is necessary to 5circumcise them and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses."
6
6The apostles and the elderscametogether to look into thismatter.
7
After there had beenmuch7debate, Peterstood up and said to them, "Brethren*, you know that in the earlydays8Godmade a choiceamong you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of 9the gospel and believe.
8
"And God, 10whoknows the heart, testified to them 11giving them the HolySpirit, just as He also did to us;
9
and 12He madenodistinctionbetween us and them, 13cleansing their hearts by faith.
10
"Nowthereforewhy do you 14putGod to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yokewhich15neither our fathersnor we have beenable to bear?
11
"But we believe that we are savedthrough16the grace of the LordJesus, in the sameway as they also are."
12
All the peoplekeptsilent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were 17relatingwhat18signs and wondersGod had donethrough them among the Gentiles.
James's Judgment
13After they had stoppedspeaking, 19Jamesanswered, saying, "Brethren*, listen to me.
14
"20Simeon has relatedhowGodfirstconcerned Himself abouttaking from among the Gentiles a people for His name.