What was the dispute in Acts 15 about?
The dispute in Acts 15 centered on whether Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. Certain Pharisees who believed insisted it was needful to circumcise them and command them to keep the law. The apostles and elders gathered to consider this matter amid much disputing.
Les teaches that the dispute in Acts 15 arose over whether Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. In the midst of this disputation, certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying it was needful to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. Les notes there was much disputing, and he imagines these Jewish believers were not just sitting in a conference room but standing nose to nose, going at it tooth and toenail, not making any bones about what they believed. He also illustrates the intensity by recalling arguments he witnessed among Jewish people in Jerusalem. Then Peter rose up, which implies he had been seated.
But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
More Questions
What was the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 arguing about?
The dispute at the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 was over whether Gentile converts had to keep the Jewish law.