Acts 15:14 Correction: A People Of His Name, not FOR HIS NAME

First Harvest Ministries International Official Doctrinal Position Paper From the Desk of Headquarters – Founder & Apostolic Overseer, Pastor Shane Vaughn A MISTRANSLATION ALERT Verse Under Examination Acts 15:14 (KJV): “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” The mistranslation arises from the word rendered “for.” In the original Greek, the word is ἐπέ (epe). The Problem The translators’ decision to render ἐπέ as “for” is without precedent. Nowhere else in the entire New Testament is ἐπέ ever translated as “for.” ● The normal Greek word for “for” is γάρ (gar), used hundreds of times. ● ἐπέ is rare, and its meaning is always “since, because, seeing that.” By choosing “for,” the translators weakened the covenantal force of the text and created the impression that Yahweh was forming a brand-new identity for the Gentiles. The Correct Reading The precise rendering of ἐπέ preserves the continuity of Yahweh’s covenant people. The sense is not “a people for His name” (as though something entirely new), but rather:  “a people, because they are already called by His Name.” In other words, the verse is not introducing a new people but recognizing those scattered among the nations who already bore the covenant mark of Yahweh’s Name — the lost tribes of Israel. Theological Significance The mistranslation obscures one of the most critical truths of the New Covenant era: Yahweh was not abandoning Israel to raise up a new entity. Instead, He was regathering the house of Israel from among the nations. The Hebrew Scriptures confirm this covenant identity repeatedly: ● Deut. 28:10 – “All peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the Name of Yahweh...” ● 2 Chron. 7:14 – “...if My people, which are called by My Name...” ● Dan. 9:19 – “...for Thy city and Thy people are called by Thy Name.” Thus Acts 15:14, properly translated, is a reaffirmation of covenant continuity — the same people who had once been called by His Name are being visited again, drawn out from among the Gentiles. FHMI Position FHMI officially declares: 1. The translation of ἐπέ as “for” in Acts 15:14 is inaccurate and misleading. 2. ἐπέ must be rendered according to its true sense: “since / because / seeing that.” 3. Therefore, Acts 15:14 should be understood as: “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people, because they are already called by His Name.” This reading preserves Yahweh’s covenant precision and honors the prophetic context of Israel’s regathering. Conclusion Yahweh is not vague. He is exact. The mistranslation of ἐπέ as “for” dilutes His covenant precision and creates theological confusion. Acts 15:14 is not about creating a new people but about reclaiming an ancient one. “Because they are a people called by My Name.” That is the truth. That is the covenant. And that is our position.