Who were the Jewish teachers coming into the Gentile congregations in Acts 15?
The Jewish teachers entering Gentile congregations in Acts 15 were Jewish believers who confessed Jesus as the Christ and Messiah of Israel, yet remained under the Law. They were not Orthodox Jews or Pharisees, and they did not embrace Paul's gospel. They were Law-keeping Jews from Peter's early preaching.
Les teaches that Acts 15 is Luke's account of the Jerusalem council, while Galatians 2 gives Paul's account of the same council. He explains that the Jews coming into Gentile congregations to teach were not the Orthodox or the Pharisees, because Pharisees regarded Gentiles as dirty dogs and would have nothing to do with such a setting. Instead, they must have been Jewish believers that Jesus was the Christ. They were not believers of Paul's Gospel; they still believed Jesus was the Messiah of Israel, and they remained under the Law. These early Jewish believers under Peter's preaching were still Law-keeping Jews.
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
Why weren't the Orthodox Jews or Pharisees the ones teaching in the Gentile congregations?
The men who came into Gentile congregations to teach the Law were not Orthodox Jews or Pharisees, because in a Pharisee's mind Gentiles were dirty dogs and Pharisees would have nothing to do with such a setting.