015:002 Between these new comers and Paul and Barnabas there was
no little disagreement and controversy, until at last it
was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some other brethren
should go up to consult the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem
on this matter.
015:003 So they set out, being accompanied for a short distance
by some other members of the Church; and as they passed
through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told the whole story
of the conversion of the Gentiles and inspired all the brethren
with great joy.
015:004 Upon their arrival in Jerusalem they were cordially received
by the Church, the Apostles, and the Elders; and they reported
in detail all that God, working with them, had done.
015:005 But certain men who had belonged to the sect of the Pharisees
but were now believers, stood up in the assembly, and said,
"Yes, Gentile believers ought to be circumcised and be ordered
to keep the Law of Moses."
015:006 Then the Apostles and Elders met to consider the matter;
015:007 and after there had been a long discussion Peter rose to his feet.
"It is within your own knowledge," he said, "that God originally
made choice among you that from my lips the Gentiles were
to hear the Message of the Good News, and believe.
015:008 And God, who knows all hearts, gave His testimony in their favour
by bestowing the Holy Spirit on them just as He did on us;
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