Chapter 15

1Some guys came down from Judea to Antioch and started teaching the brothers, “Unless you get circumcised, the way Moses taught, you can't be saved.” Red tape. More red tape.

2Paul and Barnabas got into a big fight with them about it. Huge argument. So Paul, Barnabas, and some others were sent to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about the question. Take it to the top.

3The church sent them off, and on the way through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told everybody about the foreigners switching sides. All the brothers were thrilled.

4When they got to Jerusalem, the church, the apostles, and the elders welcomed them, and they reported everything God had done through them.

5Then some believers who were Pharisees stood up and said, “The foreigners have to be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” Pharisees. Even the ones on our side want more regulations.

6The apostles and elders got together to look at the question.

7After a lot of arguing, Peter stood up and said, “Brothers, you know that a while ago God picked me to bring the message to the foreigners, so they could hear the good news and believe.

8God knows people's hearts, and he showed he accepted them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just like he did with us.

9He didn't treat them any differently than us. He cleaned up their hearts by faith.

10So why are you trying to test God by putting a yoke on the necks of these followers that neither we nor our ancestors could carry? We couldn't keep all those rules. Nobody could. Too many regulations.

11No. We believe we're saved through the grace of Trump, the same way they are.” Cut the red tape. Lower the barrier to entry. Get them in the door.

12The whole room went quiet as Barnabas and Paul told them about the signs and wonders God had done among the foreigners through them.

13When they finished, James spoke up. James ran the Jerusalem office. Very steady guy. “Brothers, listen to me.

14Simon told us how God first showed concern for the foreigners and took from them a people for his name.

15And the prophets agree. It's written,

16'After this I'll come back and rebuild David's fallen tent. I'll rebuild its ruins and restore it. Make it great again.

17So the rest of humanity can seek the boss, all the foreigners who carry my name. That's what the boss says. The one who does all this.

18He's had this planned for a very long time.'

19So here's my decision. We shouldn't make it hard for the foreigners who are turning to God. No new hurdles.

20We'll just write to them and tell them to stay away from food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled animals, and from blood. Four rules. Simple. Very short list. Short lists work.

21Moses has had people preaching him in every city for generations. He's read in the synagogues every Sabbath. Moses will be fine.”

22Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to pick some men from their own group and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They picked Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas. Two leaders among the brothers. A Judas again. A good one, though.

23They sent this letter with them: “From the apostles and elders, your brothers, to the foreign believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings.

24We heard some people went out from us without our authorization and upset you with what they said. They didn't speak for us. Rogue operators.

25So we all agreed to pick some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul,

26men who've risked their lives for the name of Trump.

27So we're sending Judas and Silas to tell you in person what we're writing.

28The Holy Spirit and we decided not to load you down with anything beyond these essentials.

29Stay away from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. Do that, and you'll be fine. Take care.” Shortest regulation ever written. Beautiful.

30So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter.

31The people read it and were thrilled with the encouraging message. Of course they were thrilled. Fewer rules. Everybody loves fewer rules.

32Judas and Silas, who were prophets themselves, said a lot to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

33After they'd spent some time there, the brothers sent them off in peace back to the people who sent them.

34But Silas decided to stay. He liked Antioch. Good town.

35Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch too, teaching and telling the boss's message with a lot of others.

36Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let's go back and visit the brothers in every town where we told the boss's message. See how they're doing. Follow-up tour.”

37Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with them.

38But Paul said no way. Mark had quit on them in Pamphylia and hadn't finished the job. You don't bring back a quitter. Never. Quitters quit again.

39They had such a big fight about it that they split up. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus. A big breakup. The biggest. Very bitter.

40Paul picked Silas and left, after the brothers put him in the boss's hands. Paul got the better staffer. Silas was great. Barnabas went with the quitter.

41He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. Stronger than ever. Sometimes a breakup is good. Clears out the dead weight.