4
The church in Jerusalem, the apostles, and the spiritual leaders welcomed Paul and Barnabas when they arrived. Paul and Barnabas reported everything that God had done through them.
5
But some believers from the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "People who are not Jewish must be circumcised and ordered to follow Moses' Teachings."
6
The apostles and spiritual leaders met to consider this statement.
7
After a lot of debating, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know what happened some time ago. God chose me so that people who aren't Jewish could hear the Good News and believe.
8
God, who knows everyone's thoughts, showed that he approved of people who aren't Jewish by giving them the Holy Spirit as he gave the Holy Spirit to us.
9
God doesn't discriminate between Jewish and non-Jewish people. He has cleansed non-Jewish people through faith as he has cleansed us Jews.
10
So why are you testing God? You're putting a burden on the disciples, a burden neither our ancestors nor we can carry.
11
We certainly believe that the Lord Jesus saves us the same way that he saves them--through his kindness."
12
The whole crowd was silent. They listened to Barnabas and Paul tell about all the miracles and amazing things that God had done through them among non-Jewish people.
13
After they finished speaking, James responded, "Brothers, listen to me.
14
Simon has explained how God first showed his concern by taking from non-Jewish people those who would honor his name.