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

1Then, fourteen years later, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking with me Titus also. 2And I went up according to revelation, and laid before them the Gospel which I preach among the Gentiles; but privately to those of repute, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3But not even Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; 4and that was because of the false brethren secretly introduced, who, indeed, crept in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage; 5to whom not even for an hour did we yield in subjection, that the truth of the Gospel might continue with you. 6But from those reputed to be something (whatever they were, it matters not to me: God does not accept man's person): to me, in fact, those of repute added nothing; 7but, on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the Gospel of the uncircumcision, as Peter was with that of the circumcision; 8(for He Who wrought for Peter with regard to an apostleship of the circumcision, wrought for me also with regard to the gentiles). 9And, perceiving the grace which was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas right-hands of fellowship, that we should go to the gentiles, and they to the circumcision; 10only they desired that we should remember the poor, which very thing I was also eager to do.

Paul Confronts Cephas

11But, when Cephas came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was blameworthy; 12for, before certain ones came from James, he was eating with the gentiles; but, when they came, he was withdrawing and separating himself, fearing those of the circumcision. 13And the rest of the Jews also dissembled with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. 14But, when I saw that they were not walking uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel, I said to Cephas in presence of them all, "If you, being a Jew, live as do the gentiles, and not as the Jews, how do you compel the gentiles to live as do the Jews?"

15We who are by nature Jews, and not sinners from among the gentiles, 16yet knowing that a man is not justified by works of law, but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed on Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of law; because by works of law no flesh shall be justified. 17But, if while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also were found sinners, is, then, Christ a minister of sin? It could not be! 18For, if I am building up again, what I pulled down, I show myself to be a transgressor. 19For I through law died to law, that I might live to God. 20I have been crucified with Christ; and no longer am I living, but Christ is living in me; and, in so far as I am now living in flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God; for, if righteousness is through law, then Christ died needlessly!