The Council at Jerusalem
(Acts 15:5–21)

1Then after fourteen years, I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus with me; 2but I went up according to revelation; and I presented to them the gospel which I am preaching among the Gentiles, but privately to the prominent ones, lest perhaps I am running, or did run, in vain. 3But neither was Titus the one with me, being a Greek, compelled to be circumcised: 4but on account of the false brethren having crept in, who came in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order that they shall bring us into bondage: 5to whom I rendered not submission for an hour; in order that the truth of the gospel may abide with you. 6But of those seeming to be something what they were at that time makes no difference to me: God does not receive the face of man: for those seeming to me to be prominent added nothing extra: 7but on the contrary, seeing that I am intrusted with the gospel of the uncircumcision, like Peter of the circumcision, 8for the one having wrought with Peter unto the apostleship of the circumcision also wrought with me unto the Gentiles: 9and having known the grace of God which was given unto me, James and Cephas and John, who seem to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision; 10only that we should remember the poor; which very thing I was also zealous to do.

Paul Confronts Cephas

11And when Cephas came into Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to blame. 12For before certain ones came from James, he was eating along with the Gentiles: but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13And the rest of the Jews also reciprocated with him; so that even Barnabas was led away by their dissimulation. 14But when I saw that they are not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, If you being a Jew are living like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how do you compel the Gentiles to judaize?

15We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16knowing that a man is not justified by works of law, but through the faith of Christ Jesus, and we have believed into Christ Jesus, in order that we may be justified by faith of Christ, and not by works of law, because by works of law no flesh shall be justified. 17But if seeking to be justified in Christ, we may also be found sinners, then is Christ the minister of sin? it could not be so. 18For if I again build the things which I have destroyed, I constitute myself a transgressor. 19For I through law died to law, in, order that I may live unto God. 20I am crucified along with Christ; and I live no longer, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not make void the grace of God: for if righteousness was through law, then Christ died gratuitiously.