God's word for us this morning is found in the book of

Acts chapter 15 and we'll be reading verses 1 through 21.

Acts chapter 15 verses 1 through 21.

If you didn't bring a Bible this morning, there should be one in the pew just in front of you.

And this text is found on page 962 in that Bible.

Acts chapter 15 verses 1 through 21.

But some men came down from Judea

and were teaching the brethren, unless you are

circumcised according to the custom of Moses,

you cannot be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had had no small dissension and debate with him,

Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem, to the Apostles and the Elders about this question.

So being sent on their way by the Church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Smeria

reporting the conversation of the Gentiles and they gave great joy to all the brethren.

When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders,

and they declared all that God had done with them.

But some believers who belong to the party, the Pharisees, rose up and said, it is necessary

to circumcise them and to charge them to keep the law of Moses.

The Apostles and the Elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

And after there had been much debate, Peter rose and said to them,

Brother, you know that in the early days God made choice among you that by my mouth the

Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.

And God who knows the heart bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit

...