Acts 15

“And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of…” Naming Except and Jud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and…” Naming Barnabas and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the…” Naming Gentiles and Phenice keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they…” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them…” Naming Moses and Pharisees keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.” The line’s distinctive content terms include apostles, consider, elders. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good…” Naming Gentiles keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;” Naming Ghost keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” The line’s distinctive content terms include difference, faith, hearts. Its relationship to verses 8 and 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God…” Naming Barnabas and Gentiles keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:” Naming James and Men keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” Naming Gentiles keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,” The line’s distinctive content terms include agree, prophets, words. Its relationship to verses 16 shows what work it does in this passage.

“After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again…” Naming David keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord…” Naming Gentiles keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.” Naming Known keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things…” The line’s distinctive content terms include abstain, blood, fornication. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch…” Naming Antioch and Barnabas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren…” Naming Antioch and Cilicia keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Which when they had read, they rejoiced for the consolation.” The line’s distinctive content terms include consolation, read, rejoiced. Its relationship to verses 30 and 32 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them.” Naming Judas and Silas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go in peace from the brethren unto the apostles.” The line’s distinctive content terms include apostles, brethren, peace. Its relationship to verses 32 and 34 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still.” Naming Notwithstanding and Silas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.” Naming Antioch and Barnabas keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark.” Naming Barnabas and John keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the…” Naming Pamphylia and Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.” Naming Cilicia and Syria keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.