they were come to Jerusalem, they in the way of subjection, no, not were received of the church and for an hour; that the truth of the the apostles and the elders, and gospel might continue with you. 6 they rehearsed all things that God But from those who were reputed had done with them. 5 But there to be somewhat (3 whatsoever they rose up certain of the sect of the were, it maketh no matter to me: Pharisees who believed, saying, It God accepteth not man's person)— is needful to circumcise them, and they, I say, who were of repute imto charge them to keep the law of parted nothing to me: 7 but conMoses. trariwise, when they saw that I had

6 And the apostles and the been intrusted with the gospel of elders were gathered together to the uncircumcision, even as Peter consider of this matter. 7 And with the gospel of the circumcision when there had been much ques-(8 for he that wrought for Peter tioning, Peter rose up, and said unto the apostleship of the circumunto them, cision wrought for me also unto the Brethren, ye know how that 1a Gentiles); 9 and when they pergood while ago God made choice ceived the grace that was given among you, that by my mouth the unto me, James and Cephas and Gentiles should hear the word of John, they who were reputed to the gospel, and believe. 8 And be pillars, gave to me and BarnaGod, which knoweth the heart, bare bas the right hands of fellowship, them witness, giving them the that we should go unto the Gentiles, Holy Ghost, even as he did unto and they unto the circumcision; us; 9 and he made no distinction 10 only they would that we should between us and them, cleansing remember the poor; which very their hearts by faith. IO Now thing I was also zealous to do.

therefore why tempt ye God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? II But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they.

12 And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Pau! rehearsing what signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying,

Brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Symeon hath rehearsed how first God did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

1 Gr. from early days. Or, are Or, what they once were

ACTS 15.

seemed good unto us, having come
to one accord, to choose out men
and send them unto you with our be-
loved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men
that have hazarded their lives for
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have sent therefore Judas
and Silas, who themselves also shall
tell you the same things by word of
mouth. 28 For it seemed good to
the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay
upon you no greater burden than
these necessary things; 29 that ye
abstain from things sacrificed to
idols, and from blood, and from
things strangled, and from fornica-
tion;
from which if ye keep your-
selves, it shall be well with you.
Fare ye well.

§37. REPORT OF THE COUNCIL'S ACTION TO THE CHURCH

IN ANTIOCH.

ACTS 15: 30-35.

1

30 So they, when they were dismissed, came down to Antioch; and having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced for the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being themselves also prophets, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them. 33 And after they had spent some time there, they were dismissed in peace from the brethren unto those that had sent them forth.8 35 But Paul and Barnabas tarried in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

§38. PETER'S VISIT TO ANTIOCH.*

[GAL. 2: 11-21.]

II But when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. 14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of

1 Or, exhortation 2 Or, comforted 3 Some ancient authorities insert, with variations, ver. 34 But it seemed good unto Silas to abide there.

*See Note 4.

2

the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest as do the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, how compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, save through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law: because by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we sought to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Christ a minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build up again those things which I destroyed, I prove myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died unto the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live; and yet no longer I, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. 21 I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nought.

CHAPTER XI.

PAUL'S SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY.

§39. THE DISSENSION BETWEEN PAUL AND BARNABAS. ACTS 15:36-41.

36 And after some days Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now and visit the brethren in every city wherein we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they fare. 37 And Barnabas was minded to take with them John also, who was called Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to take with them him who withdrew from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp contention, so that they parted asunder one from the other, and Barnabas took Mark with him, and sailed away unto Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas, and went forth, being commended by the brethren to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

§40. THE CHURCHES IN SOUTHERN ASIA MINOR REVISITED.

ACTS 16: 1-5.

I And he came also to Derbe and to Lýstra: and behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewess which believed; but his father was a Greek. 2 The same was well reported

1 Or, works of law 2Or, but only Or, law Or, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ &c.

of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 And as they went on their way through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, which had been ordained of the apostles and elders that were at Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.

$41. THE JOURNEY TO TROAS, AND THE VISION OF PAUL. ACTS 16: 6-10.

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden of the Holy Ghost to speak the word in Asia; 7 and when they were come over against Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia; and the Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; 8 and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. IO And when he had seen the vision, straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

§42. THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL IN PHILIPPI.
ACTS 16: 11-40.

II Setting sail therefore from Troas, we made a straight course to Samothrace, and the day following to Neapolis; 12 and from thence to Philippi, which is a city of Macedonia, the first of the district, a Roman colony: and we were in this city tarrying certain days. 13 And on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate by a river side, where we supposed there was a place of prayer; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which were come together. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, to give heed unto the things which were spoken by Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

16 And it came to pass, as we were going to the place of prayer, that a certain maid having 1a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying. 17 The same following after Paul and us cried out, saying, These men are 2servants of the Most High God, which proclaim unto you the way of salvation. 18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, being sore troubled, turned and said to the spirit, I charge thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour.

19 But when her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, they laid hold on Paul and Silas, and dragged them into the market

1 Gr. a spirit, a Python. Gr. bondservants. Or, a way Gr. come out.