Acts 15:6-21

Devotionals, Articles, and Bible Study Resources on Acts 15:6-21

6So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter.
7After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
8And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.
9He made no distinction between us and them, for He cleansed their hearts by faith.
10Now then, why do you test God by placing on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?
11On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
12The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13When they had finished speaking, James declared, “Brothers, listen to me!
14Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.
15The words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16‘After this I will return and rebuild
the fallen tent of David.
Its ruins I will rebuild,
and I will restore it,
17so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by My name,
says the Lord who does these things
18that have been known for ages.’
19It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
20Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
21For Moses has been proclaimed in every city from ancient times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
— Acts 15:6-21

Related Resources from Heartlight

Guidance from the Holy Spirit
Devo: A Year with Jesus

"Dear Precious Disciple, The conference that you read about in the verses below occurred in Jerusalem. The focus of that conference was what should be..."

We Must Not Make Things Difficult!
Devo: Unstoppable!

"Everyone [at the Jerusalem meeting about whether Gentile Christians had to follow Jewish customs] listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about..."

Resolving Conflict with Grace
Devo: Unstoppable!

"When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God...."

Challenging, But Joyous Fellowship
Devo: A Year with Jesus

"Dear Child of the King, You are royalty. However, your royal lineage is not established by your race, your culture, your language, your education, or..."

Confirmed
Devo: God's Holy Fire

"[Peter, addressing the apostles and elders at the Council in Jerusalem:] "God knows people's hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them..."

Don't Make It Hard to Share Fellowship
Devo: Together in Christ

"[James addressed the key church leaders in Jerusalem and said:] "And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are....."

Unacceptable!
Devo: A Year with Jesus

"Dear Follower, I hate racism! Bigotry and racial prejudice are unacceptable. It comes in all sorts of forms, some overt and some cloaked in..."

Cross References for Acts 15:6-21

Cross References Provided by Open Bible

The Berean Standard Bible

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) is a modern, clear, and faithful translation based on the best available Greek and Hebrew manuscripts. Ideal for reading, study, and sharing, it entered the public domain in 2023. For more information, visit berean.bible.