Why did the Jewish believers at Jerusalem try to bring Gentile believers under the law?
They were still deeply saturated with the law of Israel and could not fathom that the God of Abraham would save Gentiles without requiring them to come under that same law. Certain men from Judea even insisted circumcision according to Moses was necessary for salvation.
Les explains that the Jewish believers at Jerusalem were still so saturated with the law that they tried to bring the Gentile believers of Paul’s ministry at Antioch under it. They could not fathom that the God of Abraham would go to the pagans and bring them to salvation without bringing them under the law of Israel. Acts 15 records the same set of events Paul reports in Galatians 2, where certain men came down from Judea and taught that unless Gentiles were circumcised after the manner of Moses, they could not be saved. This was the Judaizer pressure Paul faced while bringing the gospel of the grace of God, about 52 AD, some 22 or 23 years after Pentecost.
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
More Questions
What did the believing Jews say was necessary for Gentile believers to be saved?
In Acts 15, believing Jews came to Antioch and told the Gentile believers that unless they were circumcised according to Moses, they could not be saved.
Who were the Jews that came into Gentile congregations teaching circumcision and the Law?
Those coming into the Gentile congregations were Jewish believers that Jesus was the Christ, not believers of Paul's Gospel, but still believing Jesus was the Messiah of Israel.
Did the Judaizers suggest law-keeping as an optional way to be a better Christian?
The Judaizers did not merely suggest that keeping the Law could make someone a better follower of Christ; they commanded it and attached salvation to it.