Who were the believing Jews in Acts 15 who opposed Paul?
The believing Jews who opposed Paul in Acts 15 were Jewish believers from Jerusalem, distinct from Pharisees, who had embraced Jesus as Messiah yet remained law-keeping. They came to Antioch and resisted Paul's Gentile ministry, holding that no one should go to the Jews unless they had the King and the Kingdom.
Les explains that Acts 15 is a parallel chapter to Galatians 2. Paul had been out among the Gentiles for several years, establishing churches in Asia Minor, especially Antioch. The Jews down at Jerusalem, including believing Jews, still did not accept this. These were Jewish believers who came from Jerusalem to Antioch. They were not Pharisees, but Jews who had embraced Jesus as their Messiah. Yet they were still law-keeping and had the mentality that nobody should be going to the Jews unless they had the King and the Kingdom. So they opposed Paul's ministry.
More Questions
What had Paul done among the Gentiles by the time of Acts 15?
By Acts 15 Paul had already spent several years working among the Gentiles and had established churches in Asia Minor, especially in Antioch.
why did the jerusalem believers call paul to the acts 15 council
Because Paul had been ministering at Antioch and taking the gospel to the Gentiles, the Jerusalem believers became upset and called him down for the council of Acts 15.
What was the big controversy in Acts chapter 15?
Acts 15 records the major controversy between Peter and the eleven at Jerusalem and Paul over his ministry to the Gentiles at Antioch.
What did the Jewish believers require for Gentiles to be saved according to Acts 15 and Galatians 2?
The Jewish believers in the Acts 15/Galatians 2 dispute were coming down on Paul, saying that Gentile believers cannot be saved unless they keep the Law and are circumcised.