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

1Fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem, with Barnabas, and took Titus also with me: 2and I went up according to revelation, and communicated to them that gospel, which I preach among the Gentiles; but privately to those who were of note, lest the pains, that I have already taken, or may hereafter take in the gospel, should be in vain. 3however, Titus who was then with me, being a Greek, was not compelled to be circumcised: 4and as to the false brethren, who insidiously crept in to spy out our liberty which we have by Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into servitude; 5I did not show them the lest compliance by way of submission, that the doctrine of the gospel might remain among you. 6But as for those who were men of real eminency, how considerable soever they were heretofore, it does not any ways affect me; God accepts not the person of any man: for they who were of note, in conference with me, had nothing new to add. 7on the contrary, when they perceived that I had the province of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, as Peter had that of preaching it to the Jews, 8(for he that had wrought powerfully in Peter with respect to his apostleship among the Jews, had also wrought powerfully in me upon account of the Gentiles:) and when James, 9Peter, and John, who were esteemed to be pillars, perceived the favour that was bestowed on me, they admitted me and Barnabas into fellowship, and agreed, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10only they recommended to us to get collections for the poor in Judea: which I was very careful to do.

Paul Confronts Cephas

11But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, for he was to be blamed. 12for till certain Jews came thither from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, for fear of those, who were for circumcision: 13and the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas himself was carried away with their hypocrisy. 14but when I saw, they conformed not their conduct to the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all: if you being a Jew, live after the manner of the Gentiles, and not according to that of the Jews, why do you constrain the Gentiles to judaize?

15We are Jews by birth, and not of the sinful race of the Gentiles, 16yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in him, and not by the works of the law, by which there is no justification. 17Now if it be a sin to seek for justification by Christ, then is Christ the minister of sin, which cannot be. 18on the contrary, if I re-establish what I have demolish'd, I show myself a prevaricator. 19for by one law, I am dead to the other law, that I might live unto God: 20I am crucified with Christ, it is not I that now live, but Christ that liveth in me; the life I have in this body I live by faith in the son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if justification be by the law, Christ died to no purpose.