From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. To God’s chosen people, who are living away from their land. You’re scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
The Jews asked each other, “Where is this man planning to go, if we won’t be able to find him there? Will he go to where our people are living scattered among the Greeks, and will he teach the Greeks there?
Saul had agreed that Stephen should die. On that day an attack began against the church in Jerusalem. The believers, except for the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
Because our 12 tribes are hoping to see that promise come true, they serve God with faithful and honest hearts day and night. But it’s because I have the same hope, King Agrippa, that these Jews are bringing charges against me.
Here’s the letter they sent with them: From the apostles and elders, your brothers. To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings.
From Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. God sent me to help his chosen people deepen their faith and understand even better the truth that leads to godly living.
James, Peter, and John, who are respected as pillars in the church, recognized that God had given me this privilege. So they shook hands with Barnabas and me to welcome us as partners. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles while they went to the Jews.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, when all things are made new and the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, then you who have followed me will also sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel.
From Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. To you who have received a faith as precious as ours and who have been made right with our God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Before a group came representing James, Peter was eating with the Gentiles. But after they arrived, Peter pulled back and wouldn’t eat with them. He was afraid of those who wanted to require people to be circumcised.
This will show respect for the law of Moses, since it has been preached in every city from the earliest times, and it’s read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”
When they got back, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Here’s a list of those who were there: Peter, John, James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
Peter motioned with his hands for them to be quiet. Then he explained how the Lord had freed him from prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he went to a different place.