Barnabas

8In Lystra a man sat who could not use his feet. He had been that way since he was born. He had never walked.

And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:

9This man listened while Paul spoke. Paul looked right at him. Paul could see the man believed God would heal him.

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,

10Paul said in a loud voice, "Stand up on your feet!" The man jumped up and began to walk.

Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

11The crowds saw what Paul had done. They shouted in their own Lycaonian language. They said, "The gods have come down to us as men!"

And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

NoteThese people believed in many gods. They told stories about them and made statues of them. They thought two of those gods had come to visit.

12They called Barnabas Jupiter, and they called Paul Mercurius. They called Paul that because he did most of the talking.

And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.

NoteJupiter and Mercurius were two of those gods. People said Jupiter was the boss of all the gods. They said Mercurius carried messages and did the talking.

13There was a temple for Jupiter just outside the city. Its priest brought bulls and flower wreaths to the city gates. He and the crowd wanted to kill the bulls as a gift to Paul and Barnabas.

Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.

NoteA priest was a man whose job was to serve a god at its temple. A temple was a building made for a god. People brought animals there and killed them as gifts. Flower wreaths were rings of flowers put on the animals first.

14Barnabas and Paul heard about this. They tore their own clothes to show how upset they were. Then they ran into the crowd, shouting.

Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

NoteTearing your own clothes was how people showed big feelings. It meant, "This is terribly wrong." Everyone watching would understand right away.

15"Men, why are you doing this? We are only people, just like you. We came to bring you good news. Stop trusting these useless things. Turn to the living God. He made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them."

And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:

NoteThe "useless things" were the statues the people prayed to. A statue cannot see or hear or help anyone. Paul calls God "living" because God is real and alive.

16"Long ago, God let every nation live in its own way."

Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.

17"But God always showed people what he is like. He was good to them. He sent rain from the sky and good growing times. He gave them plenty of food and made them glad."

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

18Even after they said all this, the people almost made the sacrifice anyway. Paul and Barnabas could barely stop them.

And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.

19Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium. They talked the crowd into turning against Paul. They threw stones at him and dragged him out of the city. They thought he was dead.

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20But the believers gathered around him. Paul got up and walked back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21They told the good news in that city, and many people became followers of Jesus. Then they went back to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

22They helped the believers grow strong inside. They told them to keep trusting God. They said, "We must go through many hard things to enter God's kingdom."

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

NoteGod's kingdom means everywhere God is king. It is God's people living with him as their king.

23In each group of believers they chose leaders called elders. They prayed and went without food. Then they placed the believers in the care of the Lord they trusted.

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

NoteElders were older, trusted people picked to care for the group. Going without food is called fasting. People did it for a short time to help them pray.

24They traveled through the area called Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.

And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25They told God's message in the city of Perga. Then they went down to Attalia.

And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:

26From there they sailed to Antioch. That was where the believers had asked God to be kind to them and help them with this work. Now the work was done.

And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.

NoteThis Antioch was a different city from the Antioch in verse 21. Two cities had the same name. This one was far away by the sea, where the trip began.

27When they got there, they called the church together. They told everything God had done through them. God had opened a door so people who were not Jewish could believe too.

And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

NoteThe word church means all the believers together. It does not mean a building.

28They stayed there a long time with the believers.

And there they abode long time with the disciples.

1Some men came down from Judea and taught the believers. They said, "You must be circumcised, the way Moses taught, or you cannot be saved." Being circumcised was a small cutting of skin. It was a sign that a man belonged to God's people.

And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.

NoteJudea was the land around Jerusalem, where many Jews lived. Moses led God's people long ago. God gave his rules to the people through Moses. To be circumcised was to have a small bit of skin cut off. It was a sign that a boy belonged to God's people. Only boys and men were given this sign. "Saved" means rescued by God and kept safe with him forever.

2Paul and Barnabas did not agree with them at all. They argued about it a great deal. So it was decided that Paul and Barnabas and some others should go to Jerusalem. They would ask the apostles and elders about this question. The apostles were the men Jesus chose to lead. Elders were older leaders of the church.

When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.

NoteThe apostles were the special helpers Jesus picked to lead his followers. Elders were older, trusted leaders in a group of believers. Jerusalem was the most important city for Jewish people. The first leaders of the church lived there.

3The church sent them on their way. They traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria. They told how many Gentiles had turned to God. Gentiles are people who are not Jews. This news made all the believers very glad.

And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.

NoteIn the Bible, a "church" is a group of people who follow Jesus. It is not a building here. Phoenicia and Samaria were lands they walked through on the way. Gentiles were people who were not Jewish. That meant almost everybody else in the world.

4When they reached Jerusalem, the church welcomed them. The apostles and elders welcomed them too. They told everyone all that God had done through them.

And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

5But some believers who belonged to the Pharisees stood up. Pharisees were teachers who kept the rules of Moses very carefully. They said, "These Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the law of Moses."

But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.

NoteThe Pharisees were a group of Jewish teachers. They tried very hard to keep every one of God's rules. "The law of Moses" means the rules God gave through Moses. They are written down in the first books of the Bible.

6So the apostles and elders met together to look at this question.

And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

7They talked about it for a long time. Then Peter stood up and said, "Brothers, listen. You know what God did a good while ago. He chose me to tell the good news to Gentiles. They heard it from my mouth, and they believed."

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

NoteThe "good news" is the news about Jesus. It tells how he came to rescue people and bring them to God.

8"God knows what is inside every heart. He showed that he accepted them. He gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he gave him to us."

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

NoteThe Holy Spirit is God himself, come to live inside his people. He helps them and shows them what is true.

9"He did not treat them any differently from us. He made their hearts clean because they trusted him."

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

10"So why are you testing God? You want to put a yoke on the necks of these followers. Our fathers could not carry that load. We could not carry it either."

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?

NoteA yoke is a heavy wooden bar. It is laid across the necks of two oxen so they can pull a cart. Peter says all the rules felt like that heavy bar.

11"We believe the Lord Jesus saves us by his kindness, as a free gift. Gentiles are saved the very same way."

But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

Note"Kindness as a free gift" is what the Bible calls grace. A gift is not something you work for. Nobody can earn it or pay for it.

12Then the whole crowd grew quiet. They listened to Barnabas and Paul. The two men told about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.

Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

NoteSigns and wonders are amazing things only God can do. Healing a sick person is one kind of sign.

13When they had finished speaking, James spoke up. He said, "Brothers, listen to me."

And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:

NoteThis James was a leader of the church in Jerusalem. He was one of Jesus' own brothers.

14"Simon Peter has told us what God did first. He came to the Gentiles and took some of them to be his own people."

Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

NoteThe King James Bible calls Peter "Simeon" here. That was another way to say Simon, Peter's first name.

15"The words of the prophets agree with this. Prophets were men who told people what God said. Here is what is written:"

And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Note"It is written" means the words come from the old holy books. Those books were written hundreds of years before.

16"'After this I will come back. I will build David's fallen tent again. I will build up its broken parts. I will set it up again.'"

After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:

NoteDavid was Israel's greatest king, long, long before. His family and his kingdom had fallen down like a collapsed tent. God promised to set the tent up again.

17"'I will do this so that the rest of the people can look for the Lord. Then all the Gentiles who are called by my name can look for him too. The Lord says this, and he is the one who does it.'"

That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

NoteTo be "called by my name" means belonging to God. It is a bit like getting a family's last name.

18"'God has known all the things he does, from long, long ago.'"

Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

19"So here is what I think. We should not make trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God."

Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

20"Instead, let us write to them. Tell them to stay away from food that has been given to idols. Idols are statues that people pray to. Tell them to stay away from sexual sin. Tell them not to eat animals that were choked to death. Tell them not to eat blood."

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

NoteIdols are statues that people prayed to as if they were gods. Meat was often given to an idol first, then sold or eaten at a party. Sexual sin means using your body in ways God says are wrong. Those things belong only between a husband and his wife. Jewish people were never allowed to eat blood. An animal that was choked still had its blood inside.

21"For a long time now, the law of Moses has been taught in every city. It is read out loud in the synagogues every Sabbath day. A synagogue is the building where Jews meet to worship. The Sabbath is their special day of rest."

For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

NoteA synagogue is a building where Jewish people meet to learn and pray. The Sabbath is their special day each week for rest and worship.

22The apostles and elders and the whole church liked this plan. They picked some of their own men to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas, who was also called Barsabbas, and Silas. Both men were leaders among the believers.

Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:

NoteAntioch was a big city far to the north of Jerusalem. Many people there were Gentiles who now followed Jesus. Judas had a second name, Barsabbas, so people knew which Judas was meant.

23They sent this letter with them: "From the apostles, the elders and the brothers. To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia. Greetings!"

And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

NoteSyria and Cilicia were lands near Antioch. Back then a letter started with the writers' names, not at the end.

24"We have heard that some men went out from us and upset you. Their words troubled your minds. They said you must be circumcised and keep the law. We never told them to say that."

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

NoteThese men had left Jerusalem on their own. Nobody there had sent them or told them what to say.

25"So we all agreed together. We chose some men to send to you. They come with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul."

It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

26"These two men have put their lives in danger for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

NoteTo "put their lives in danger" means they could have been killed. People had thrown stones at Paul for telling about Jesus.

27"So we are sending Judas and Silas. They will tell you the same things with their own mouths."

We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.

28"The Holy Spirit thought this was good, and so did we. We will not lay any load on you except these few needed things."

For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;

29"Stay away from food that was given to idols. Stay away from blood. Do not eat animals that were choked to death. Stay away from sexual sin. If you keep away from these things, you will do well. Goodbye."

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Note"Goodbye" here is the old word "farewell." It was the polite way to finish a letter.

30So the men were sent off, and they went to Antioch. They called all the believers together. Then they gave them the letter.

So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

31The people read it. Its kind words cheered them up, and they were glad.

Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.

NoteThe letter said kind, comforting words. Those words took away the believers' worry.

32Judas and Silas were prophets themselves. They said many things to cheer up the believers and make them strong.

And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.

NoteA prophet is someone who tells people a message from God.

33They stayed there for a while. Then the believers sent them off in peace. They went back to the ones who had sent them.

And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.

34But Silas was happy to stay there instead.

Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.

NoteSome very old copies of this book do not have this sentence. That is why some Bibles leave it out.

35Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch too. They and many others taught people and told them the word of the Lord.

Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

36Some days later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let's go back and visit our brothers. Let's go to every town where we told people the Lord's message. We can see how they are doing."

And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the LORD, and see how they do.

Note"Brothers" here does not mean boys from the same family. It means the other people who follow Jesus.

37Barnabas wanted to take John with them. John was also called Mark.

And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.

38But Paul did not think that was a good idea. Mark had left them back in Pamphylia. He had not stayed to do the work with them.

But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.

NotePamphylia was a land they had visited on an earlier trip. Mark had left them there and gone home.

39They disagreed so strongly that they split up and went different ways. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus.

And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

NoteCyprus is an island in the sea. It was the place where Barnabas had grown up.

40Paul chose Silas and left. The believers asked God to be kind to Paul and take care of him.

And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.

NoteThe believers prayed for Paul before he left. They asked God to be kind to him and keep him safe.

41He traveled through Syria and Cilicia. He made the churches there stronger.

And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.

NoteSyria and Cilicia were the lands Paul came from. The churches there were small groups of believers. They often met in someone's house.

1I am free. I am an apostle, one Jesus sent out to tell about him. I saw Jesus our Lord with my own eyes. And you belong to the Lord because of my work.

Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

NoteA man named Paul wrote this letter to a church in the city of Corinth.

2Other people may not think I am an apostle. But you surely know I am. You belong to the Lord. You are the proof that God sent me.

If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

NoteAn apostle was a person Jesus picked and sent out to tell others about him.

3Some people look me over and ask hard questions. Here is my answer to them.

Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

4Don't we have the right to be given food and drink?

Have we not power to eat and to drink?

5The other apostles bring a believing wife along on their trips. So do the brothers of Jesus, and so does Cephas. Don't we have that same right?

Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

NoteCephas was another name for Peter, one of Jesus' closest friends.

6Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who must work to earn our food?

Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

NoteBarnabas was Paul's friend. They traveled together to tell people about Jesus. Paul also made tents to earn money for food.

1Fourteen years later I went back to the city of Jerusalem. Barnabas came with me. I took Titus too.

Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.

NoteJerusalem was the most important city for Jewish people. The first leaders of the believers met there. Barnabas and Titus were friends who traveled with Paul.

2I went because God showed me to go. I told them the good news I preach to Gentiles, people who are not Jewish. I talked privately with the leaders there. I did not want my work to be wasted.

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.

NoteGentiles means everyone in the world who is not Jewish. "Preach" means to stand up and tell people about God. The "good news" is the message that Jesus came to save people.

3Titus was with me, and he was Greek, not Jewish. Still, no one made him get circumcised.

But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:

NoteCircumcision was a small cut made on a boy's body. It was a sign that his family belonged to God's people, the Jews. Some people said Gentiles had to do this too. Paul said no.

4This came up because some false brothers had sneaked in. They pretended to be friends. They came to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus. They wanted to tie us up with rules again.

And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

NoteBelievers called each other brothers and sisters. So "false brothers" means men who only pretended to be believers.

5We did not give in to them, not even for a moment. We wanted the true good news to stay with you.

To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6Some men there were treated as very important. What they were makes no difference to me. God does not treat one person as better than another. Those leaders added nothing to my message.

But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:

7Instead they saw something clearly. God had given me the job of telling the good news to people who are not Jewish. Peter had the job of telling it to Jewish people.

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;

NotePeter was one of Jesus' closest friends. He became a leader of the believers.

8God worked in Peter and sent him out to the Jewish people. The same God worked powerfully in me and sent me to the Gentiles.

(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

9James, Cephas, and John were seen as pillars, the leaders who held the group up. They saw the kind gift God had given me. They shook hands with me and Barnabas as partners. We would go to people who are not Jewish. They would go to Jewish people.

And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

NoteCephas is another name for Peter. It is the same man. A pillar is a big stone post that holds up a roof. People called these three men pillars because the whole group leaned on them. Shaking right hands was a promise to work together.

10They asked us for only one thing. They wanted us to remember poor people. I was already glad to do that.

Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

NoteMany believers in Jerusalem had very little food or money. Paul collected gifts from other towns to help them.

11But then Peter came to the city of Antioch. I told him to his face that he was wrong. He deserved the blame.

But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

NoteAntioch was a large city far from Jerusalem. Many Gentiles there had become believers.

12Before some men came from James, Peter ate meals with the Gentiles. When those men came, Peter pulled back. He stopped eating with the Gentiles. He was afraid of the men from the circumcision group.

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

NoteJewish people had rules about what food to eat. Many would not share a meal with Gentiles. So eating together showed that everyone belonged. The circumcision group means Jewish people who kept the rule of circumcision.

13The other Jewish believers acted in the same fake way. Even Barnabas was pulled along with them.

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

NoteActing "fake" means acting one way but believing another. Peter still thought Gentiles belonged. He just stopped showing it.

14I saw they were not walking straight with the truth of the good news. So I spoke to Peter in front of everyone. I said, "You are a Jew, but you live like a Gentile. So why do you push Gentiles to live like Jews?"

But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?