The dispute was about whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved.
Certain Jewish believers from Judea insisted that unless Gentiles were circumcised after the manner of Moses, they could not be saved (Acts 15:1). This caused a big argument, or 'no small dissension,' between Paul/Barnabas and these Judaizers (Clip 1). The core question was whether Gentiles could receive salvation apart from keeping the Law and without becoming proselytes to Judaism.
Acts 15:1 — This verse directly states the dispute: certain men taught that circumcision according to the Law was necessary for salvation.
In Acts 15:1, certain men came down from Judaea to Antioch and taught the brethren, saying, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." This teaching caused a major conflict, as Paul and Barnabas had been ministering to Gentiles without requiring circumcision or the Law (Clip 6). The Scripture records that Paul and Barnabas had "no small dissension and disputation" with these men (Acts 15:2). Furthermore, in Acts 15:5, some believers who were of the sect of the Pharisees rose up, insisting that the Gentiles must be circumcised and commanded to keep the Law of Moses. Thus, the biblical record clearly shows the dispute centered on the necessity of circumcision and the Law for Gentile salvation.
Les Feldick explains that the Acts 15 dispute arose because Jewish believers in Jerusalem were "all shook up" that Gentiles were being saved apart from Judaism, without circumcision and without keeping the Law (Clips 1, 2). They brought Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to "call them on the carpet" for offering God's salvation to Gentiles, which was anathema to Jews of that time (Clip 3). Les emphasizes that these were believing Jews—not just Pharisees—who still maintained a law-keeping mentality (Clip 5). He notes that Paul had received revelations from the ascended Lord that revealed the Gospel of the uncircumcision, while Peter was the apostle to the circumcision (Clip 0). Les also points out that the dispute was resolved when Peter testified about God saving Gentiles at Cornelius's house, confirming that Gentiles could be saved without becoming proselytes to Judaism (Clip 7). Ultimately, Les teaches that the debate was about whether the Gospel of grace could be given to Gentiles without the Law of Moses.
According to Les Feldick, the dispute involved Jewish believers from Jerusalem who traveled to Antioch, where Paul and Barnabas were ministering to Gentiles. These believers were convinced that Gentiles could not be saved unless they were circumcised and kept the Law of Moses (Clip 6). Some were from the sect of the Pharisees, as mentioned in Acts 15:5 (Clip 2). Les clarifies that even believing Jews still had a law-keeping mentality and failed to understand that God was now saving Gentiles apart from the Law.
The dispute mattered because it touched on the very essence of the Gospel: whether salvation was by grace through faith alone or required adherence to the Law of Moses. Les explains that the Jewish believers found it unthinkable that Gentiles could be saved outside of Judaism, and they were deeply disturbed by Paul's ministry to the uncircumcised (Clips 1, 3). This controversy threatened to undermine the new revelation that salvation was available to all, apart from the Law.
From the evidence, Les teaches that Peter came to Paul's defense, recalling how God had sent him to Cornelius and made it clear that God could save Gentiles without requiring them to become proselytes of Judaism (Clip 7). The council then listened to Barnabas and Paul declare the miracles God had wrought among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12). This evidence led to the conclusion that God was indeed saving Gentiles apart from the Law.
Paul's Distinct Gospel
Les explains that Paul received a unique revelation from the ascended Lord, distinct from the twelve apostles who ministered primarily to Israel, setting the stage for the dispute about uncircumcision.
The Dispute Defined
Les shows how Jewish believers in Jerusalem were upset about Gentiles being saved in Antioch, prompting the council, and highlights the 'no small dissension' over circumcision.
Controversy Between Peter and Paul
Les emphasizes the big controversy between Peter and the Jerusalem believers versus Paul's ministry to Gentiles without circumcision or the Law.
The Jerusalem Anxiety
Les explains that Jewish believers were 'shook up' and called Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem, treating their Gentile ministry as anathema.
Ishmael vs. Isaac: The Allegory of Law and Grace Explained
And now let me show you another Scripture where Peter even calls it what it really was, and that would be in Acts chapter 15, because I'm afraid someone might say, well, that's Paul. And sad to say, there are a lot of people who do not like the writings of Paul. I've even heard men in the sacred desk almost feel as though the letters of Paul shouldn't be in our Bible.
Law-Keeping Mentality
Les clarifies that even believing Jews retained a law-keeping mentality, which is why they objected to Gentiles not keeping the Law.
The Judaizers' Claim
Les explicitly quotes Acts 15:1 to show that certain men taught circumcision was necessary for salvation, simplifying the dispute's core issue.
Peter's Defense
Les recounts Peter's testimony about Cornelius, showing that God could save Gentiles without the Law, leading to the council's conclusion.
Acts 15:1: 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.
This verse directly states the dispute's claim that circumcision was necessary for salvation.
Acts 15:2: 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.
This verse shows the argument that arose, prompting the trip to Jerusalem to resolve the issue.
Acts 15:5: 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.
This verse reveals the specific demand for circumcision and law-keeping made by believing Pharisees.
Acts 15:12: Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
This verse shows the council listening to evidence that God was working among Gentiles apart from the Law.
The main issue was whether Gentiles had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses in order to be saved, as taught by some Jewish believers who came from Jerusalem to Antioch (Acts 15:1). Paul and Barnabas strongly opposed this, leading to a major conference in Jerusalem to settle the matter.
According to Les Feldick, these were Jewish believers from Jerusalem who came down to Antioch and taught that circumcision after the Law of Moses was necessary for salvation (Clip 6). They were likely part of the Pharisaic sect that believed in Jesus but still adhered to the Law.
From the evidence, the council listened to Peter, Barnabas, and Paul and concluded that God was saving Gentiles apart from the Law, as shown by Peter's experience with Cornelius and the miracles among the Gentiles (Clip 7). The final decision is not fully covered in the clips, but the evidence points to an acceptance that Gentiles could be saved without becoming proselytes to Judaism.
Watch the Teaching: Why Gentiles Don't Need the Law of Moses — Acts Chapter 15 Explained