Acts 15:22-35

Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, decided to select some of their men to go to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas—Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas [also called Silvanus, both], leading men among the brothers. With them they sent the following letter: “The apostles and the brothers who are the elders, to the brothers and sisters who are from the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, Greetings. Since we have heard that some of our men have troubled you with their teachings, causing distress and confusion—men to whom we gave no such orders or instructions— it has been decided by us, having met together, to select men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we have sent Judas and Silas, who will report by word of mouth the same things [that we decided in our meeting]. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these essentials: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from [consuming] blood, and from [eating the meat of] things that have been strangled, and from sexual impurity. If you keep yourselves from these things, you will do well. Farewell.” So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch; and after assembling the congregation, they delivered the letter. And when they had read it, the people rejoiced greatly at the encouragement and comfort [it brought them]. Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets (divinely inspired spokesmen), encouraged and strengthened the believers with many words. After spending some time there, they were sent back by the brothers with [the greeting of] peace to those who had sent them. [However, Silas decided to stay there.] But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, and with many others also continued teaching and proclaiming the good news, the word of the Lord [concerning eternal salvation through faith in Christ].