First Reading
Acts 15:7-21
Read this as the first big movement of the day. Notice what God is doing, who is speaking, and what part of the story or teaching should stay with you.
7And when there had been much arguing, Peter, rising up, said to them: Men, brothers and sisters, 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.
8And God, who knows the hearts, gave teaching, giving to them the Holy Ghost, as well as to us;
9And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10Now therefore, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the necks of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?
11But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, in like manner as they also.
12And all the crowd held their peace; and they heard Barnabas and Paul telling what great signs and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying: Men, brothers and sisters, hear me.
14Simon has related how God first visited to take of the Gentiles a people to his name.
15And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written:
16After these things I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and the ruins thereof I will rebuild, and I will set it up:
17That the residue of men may seek after the Lord, and all nations upon whom my name is invoked, says the Lord, who does these things.
18To the Lord was his own work known from the start of the world.
19For which cause I judge that they, who from among the Gentiles are converted to God, are not to be disquieted.
20But that we write to them, that they refrain themselves from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
21For Moses of old time has in every city them that preach him in the synagogues, where he is read every sabbath.