Who were the men in Acts 15:1 who came down from Judea teaching circumcision?
The men were certain Jewish teachers who came down from Judea, identified in the context as Jewish people from Jerusalem. They taught Gentile believers that unless they were circumcised after the manner of Moses, they could not be saved, causing dissension that led Paul and Barnabas to go to Jerusalem.
Les explains that Acts 15:1 introduces certain men from Judea who came into the Gentile area and taught that circumcision after the manner of Moses was necessary for salvation. They were quoting Jewish people from Jerusalem and effectively said Gentile believers could not be saved by Paul's Gospel. Les notes this false teaching created no small dissension, so Paul and Barnabas argued with them, and the assembly determined that Paul, Barnabas, and certain others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about the question. Later, in verse 5, certain of the sect of Pharisees rose up, showing the same legalistic issue continued in the Jerusalem meeting.
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
How is the circumcision error of Acts 15 repeated in churches today?
The same false gospel that said you cannot be saved by Paul's gospel is repeated today: circumcision is not used now, but a host of other requirements are added, and there is no difference between the two.