Why did Paul and Barnabas go up to Jerusalem in Acts 15:2?
They went because certain men from Judea came teaching Gentile believers that unless they were circumcised after the manner of Moses they could not be saved. This false teaching caused no small dissension and disputation, so the assembly determined Paul, Barnabas, and others should go to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question.
Les explains that the issue began in Acts 15 when certain men from Judea came down and taught the Gentile brethren that unless they were circumcised after the manner of Moses they could not be saved. These were Jewish people from Jerusalem now in the Gentile area, and their message opposed Paul's Gospel. Paul had to constantly refute this kind of false teaching. Because Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they all determined that Paul, Barnabas, and certain others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. At Jerusalem they encountered a meeting of believers, and in verse 5 certain of the sect of Pharisees rose up.
When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
More Questions
Whom did Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem to deal with?
By 'the wheels up there,' Les means the Twelve apostles and the other elders of the congregation called the church at Jerusalem, and he says he is not saying it with malice.
Who were the 'wheels' that Paul and Barnabas went to see in Jerusalem?
The 'wheels' in Jerusalem were the twelve apostles and the other elders of the believing element, the church at Jerusalem.
How did Paul and Barnabas respond to the demand that Gentile believers be circumcised?
Paul and Barnabas firmly opposed the demand and said you cannot put circumcision and legalism on Gentile believers.