Acts 15:7
What does Acts 15:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 15:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 15:7 means
After much discussion, Peter reminded them that God had chosen him earlier to bring the gospel to Gentiles, who heard and believed. He recalls the episode with Cornelius, where God took the initiative and overturned Jewish scruples by pouring out the Spirit on uncircumcised believers. Peter’s testimony asserts that the issue has, in principle, already been decided by God’s action: Gentiles receive salvation by hearing and believing the gospel, not by adopting the law’s boundary markers. The apostolic task is to recognize and align with what God has done, not to reimpose a standard God himself has bypassed in welcoming Gentiles through faith.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when there had been much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, My brothers, you have knowledge that some time back it was God's pleasure that by my mouth the good news might be given to the Gentiles so that they might have faith.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there having been much disputing, Peter having risen up said unto them, `Men, brethren, ye know that from former days, God among us did make choice, through my mouth, for the nations to hear the word of the good news, and to believe;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when there had been much disputing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brethren, you know that in former days God made choice among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And much discussion having taken place, Peter, standing up, said to them, Brethren, ye know that from the earliest daysGod amongst you chose that the nations by my mouth should hear the word of the glad tidings and believe.
Context
Peter’s speech opens the council’s theological resolution. It follows an extended debate and appeals to a shared, public event known in the church. By invoking God’s past choice and the fruit that followed, Peter grounds the argument in divine initiative. His words prepare for the next points: the Spirit’s testimony (verse 8), the cleansing by faith (verse 9), and the warning against placing a yoke on Gentile disciples (verse 10).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 1:16
Brethren, it was needful that the scripture should be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spake before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was guide to them that took Jesus.
- Jeremiah 1:9
Then Jehovah put forth his hand, and touched my mouth; and Jehovah said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth:
- Romans 10:17
So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
- Acts 9:15
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:
- 1 Chronicles 28:4
Howbeit Jehovah, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel;
- Acts 10:20
But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them.
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