Friday, June 4

5But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, 'It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.'

6Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

7And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: 'Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

8So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,

9and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.'

12Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

13And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, 'Men and brethren, listen to me:

14Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

15And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:

16'After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;

17So that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the LORD who does all these things.'

18'Known to God from eternity are all His works.

19Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,

20but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

21For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.'

22Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

23The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.

24Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, 'You must be circumcised and keep the law'—to whom we gave no such commandment—

25it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

27We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.

28For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:

29that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well.

30Farewell. So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

31When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.

32Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.

33And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.

34However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.

17'Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.

18No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.'

19Therefore there was a division again among the Jews because of these sayings.

20And many of them said, 'He has a demon and is mad. Why do you listen to Him?'

21Others said, 'These are not the words of one who has a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?'

22Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

23And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch.

24Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, 'How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.'

25Jesus answered them, 'I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me.

26But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.

27My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

28And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.