Who were the Jews that came into Gentile churches and taught them in Acts 15?
They were Jewish believers who accepted Jesus as the Christ and Israel’s Messiah, not converts to Paul’s gospel. Still committed to the Law, they came from the early Peter-era Jewish church rather than Orthodox Judaism or Pharisaism, which would not associate with Gentiles. These Law-keeping Jews entered Gentile congregations and taught, remaining under the Law.
Les explains that Acts chapter 15 verse 1 gives Luke’s account of the Jerusalem council, while Galatians chapter 2 gives Paul’s account of the same council. He asks what kind of Jews would come into a Gentile congregation and begin teaching them. His answer is that it would not be the Orthodox or the Pharisees, because in their minds Gentiles were dirty dogs and they would have nothing to do with them. Instead, those coming into the Gentile congregations were 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 were still under the Law. Les notes that many people do not realize the 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.