James's Judgment and Apostolic Decree

Acts 15:13-21

After they were silent, Jacob answered, “Brothers, listen to me.

Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name.

This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written,

‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up,

That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who does all these things.

All of God’s works are known to him from eternity.’

“Therefore my judgment is that we don’t trouble those from among the Gentiles who turn to God,

but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who proclaim him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”