Atos 15

¹ AndThe Church is at length troubled with dissension within itself, and the trouble rises from the proud and stubborn intellects of certain evil men. The first strife was concerning the office of Christ, whether we are saved only by his righteousness apprehended by faith, or if we also have need to observe the Law.Epiphanius is of the opinion that this was Cerinthus.certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

² Meetings of congregations were instituted to suppress heresies, to which certain were sent by common consent on behalf of all.When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

³ AndCourteously and lovingly brought on their way by the Church, that is, by certain ones appointed by the Church.being brought 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.

⁴ And when they were come to Hierusalem, they were receiued of the Church, and of the Apostles and Elders, and they declared what things God had done by them.

⁵ But said they, certaine of the sect of the Pharises, which did beleeue, rose vp, saying, that it was needefull to circumcise them, and to commaunde them to keepe the lawe of Moses.

⁶ The matter is first handled, both parts being heard, in the assembly of the apostles and elders, and after is communicated to the people.And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

⁷ And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them,God himself, in the calling of the Gentiles who are uncircumcised, taught that our salvation consists in faith, without the worship appointed by the Law.Men [and] brethren, ye know how that aLiterally, «of old time», that is, even from the first time that we were commanded to preach the Gospel, and immediately after that the Holy Spirit came down upon us.good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

⁸ And God which knoweth the heartes, bare them witnesse, in giuing vnto them ye holy Ghost euen as he did vnto vs.

⁹ And put noHe put no difference between us and them, with regard to the benefit of his free favour.difference between us and them, purifying their heartsChrist proclaims those blessed who are pure of heart: and here we are plainly taught that men are made pure of heart by faith.by faith.

¹⁰ Peter, passing from the ceremonies to the Law itself in general, shows that no one could be saved, if salvation were to be sought for by the Law, and not by grace alone in Jesus Christ; and this is because no man could ever fulfil the Law, neither the patriarch nor the apostle.Now therefore whyWhy do you tempt God, as though he could not save by faith?tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

¹¹ But we beleeue, through the grace of the Lord Iesus Christ to be saued, euen as they doe.

¹² A true pattern of a lawful council, where God's truth alone reigns.Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

¹³ And after they had held their peace,The son of Alphaeus, who is also called the Lord's brother.James answered, saying, Men [and] brethren, hearken unto me:

¹⁴ James confirms the calling of the Gentiles out of the word of God, in this agreeing with Peter.Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

¹⁵ And to this agree the woordes of the Prophets, as it is written,

¹⁶ After this I will returne, and will builde againe the tabernacle of Dauid, which is fallen downe, and the ruines thereof will I build againe, and I will set it vp,

¹⁷ That the residue of men might seeke after the Lorde, and all the Gentiles vpon whom my Name is called, saith the Lorde which doeth all these things.

¹⁸ And therefore nothing comes to pass by chance, but only by God's appointment.Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

¹⁹ In indifferent matters, we may be patient with the weakness of our brethren with the end in view that they may have time to be instructed.Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

²⁰ But that we write unto them, that they abstain fromFrom sacrifices, or from feasts which were kept in idol's temples.pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.

²¹ For Moses of olde time hath in euery citie them that preache him, seeing he is read in the Synagogues euery Sabbath day.

²² In a lawful synod, neither those who are appointed and chosen judges, appoint and determine anything tyrannously or upon a lordly superiority, neither do the common multitude stir up disorder against those who sit as judges by the word of God: and the like manner of doing things is also used in proclaiming and ratifying those things which have been so determined and agreed upon.Then pleased 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:

²³ And wrote letters by them after this maner, The Apostles, and the Elders, and the brethren, vnto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antiochia, and in Syria, and in Cilicia, send greeting.

²⁴ The council of Jerusalem concludes that the ones who trouble men's consciences are they who teach us to seek salvation in any other means than in Christ alone, apprehended by faith, no matter where they come from, and whoever they pretend to be the author of their calling.Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain whichFrom our congregation.went out from us have troubled you with words,A borrowed type of speech taken of those who pull down that which was built up: and it is a very common metaphor in the scriptures, to say «the Church is built», for «the Church is planted and established».subverting your souls, saying, [Ye must] be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no [such] commandment:

²⁵ It seemed therefore good to vs, when we were come together with one accord, to send chosen men vnto you, with our beloued Barnabas and Paul,

²⁶ Men that haue giuen vp their liues for the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ.

²⁷ We haue therefore sent Iudas and Silas, which shall also tell you ye same things by mouth.

²⁸ That is a lawful council, which the Holy Spirit rules.For it seemed good to theFirst they made mention of the Holy Spirit, so that it may not seem to be any man's work.Holy Ghost, andNot that men have any authority of themselves, but to show the faithfulness that they used in their ministry and labour.to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than theseThis was no absolute necessity, but in respect of the state of that time, so that the Gentiles and the Jews might live together more peaceably, with less occasion to quarrel.necessary things;

²⁹ Charity is required even in indifferent matters.That ye 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.

³⁰ It is required for all people to know certainly what to hold in matters of faith and religion, and not that the Church by ignorance and knowing nothing, should depend upon the pleasure of a few.So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

³¹ And when they had read it, they reioyced for the consolation.

³² And Iudas and Silas being Prophets, exhorted the brethren with many wordes, & strengthened them.

³³ And after they had tarried [there] a space, they were let go inThis is a Hebrew idiom, which is the same as saying, «as the brethren wished them all prosperous success, and the church dismissed them with good leave.»peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

³⁴ Notwithstanding Silas thought good to abide there still.

³⁵ Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antiochia, teaching and preaching with many other, the worde of the Lord.

³⁶ Congregations or churches easily degenerate unless they are diligently watched over, and therefore these apostles went to oversee the churches they had planted, and for this reason also synods were instituted and appointed.And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, [and see] how they do.

³⁷ A lamentable example of discord between excellent men and very great friends, yet not because of profane matters or their own private affairs, neither yet because of doctrine.And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

³⁸ But Paul thought it not meete to take him vnto their companie, which departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the worke.

³⁹ God uses the faults of his servants to the profit and building of the Church: yet we have to take heed, even in the best matters, that we do not let our anger overflow.AndThey were in great heat: but in this we have to consider the power of God's counsel, for by this means it came to pass that the doctrine of the Gospel was spread into many places.the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

⁴⁰ And Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended of the brethren vnto the grace of God.

⁴¹ And he went through Syria and Cilicia, stablishing the Churches.