Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to resolve the dispute over whether Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses.
According to Les Feldick, the Jerusalem council was convened because Judaizers were teaching that Gentile converts had to follow the Law of Moses. This caused dissension, so Paul and Barnabas were sent to the apostles and elders to settle the question.
Acts 15:2 — Directly states that Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to discuss the question of circumcision and the Law.
The Bible records that certain men came from Judea to Antioch teaching that unless the Gentiles were circumcised according to the custom of Moses, they could not be saved (Acts 15:1). This caused a sharp disagreement and debate between Paul, Barnabas, and these men. As a result, Paul and Barnabas were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question (Acts 15:2).
Les Feldick explains that Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to confront the Judaizers who were trying to bring Gentile believers under the Law of Moses, which Paul constantly had to refute. He notes that this was a significant meeting where the early church had to decide whether Gentiles needed to be circumcised. Les also emphasizes that Paul went up by revelation, indicating God's direct instruction for this journey, and that the hand of fellowship was given to Paul and Barnabas to go to the Gentiles while Peter, James, and John focused on the circumcision.
The dispute was about whether Gentile believers had to follow the Law of Moses, including circumcision. Les Feldick explains that Judaizers were trying to bring these Gentile believers under the law, which was legalism, and this was the main source of contention.
At the council, after much debate, Peter, James, and John gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that Paul and Barnabas would go to the Gentiles while they would go to the Jews. This confirmed the distinct gospel to the uncircumcision as opposed to the circumcision.
Introduction to Acts 15
Les opens his teaching on Acts 15, setting the stage for the Jerusalem council and the issue of Gentile believers not needing the Law of Moses.
Right Hand of Fellowship
Les describes how Peter, James, and John gave Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that Paul and Barnabas would go to the Gentiles while they would go to the Jews.
Why Israel Was Blinded — Acts 13 & Romans 11 Explained
And when Barnabas, God's man at the right time, when he saw that indeed God was beginning to deal with Gentiles, I pointed it out, I just graphically helped everybody I hope that saw it, that Barnabas went looking for Saul. He didn't just accidentally run into him, he went looking for him. And then the next verse says, "...and when he found him.
Why Paul's Gospel to Gentiles Is Different From Peter's
So after that three years has gone by, and he's come up, as he said in Galatians, to visit with Peter. He was come to Jerusalem, verse 26. He assayed, or he intended, to join himself to the disciples, that is the Jewish believers there at Jerusalem. But they were all afraid of him. Can you blame them? And they believed not that he was a disciple.
Why Paul Went to Arabia: The Revelation of Grace
Now, here's where the Holy Spirit moves in, in a special detail. Now that Gentiles are being approached, and showing interest, and many are even believing, which I would still call the Jewish message, that Jesus was indeed the Messiah of Israel, what does Barnabas understand has to be done? There's only one man for the hour, and who is it? Paul.
Paul's Revelation to Go to Jerusalem
Les explains that Paul went up to Jerusalem by revelation, a supernatural trip instructed by God, to address the issue of Gentile believers being deluged with Judaizers and legalism.
Why the First Christians Were NOT in Jerusalem (Acts 11)
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch." Oh, what was the problem again? Gentiles? Hey, Gentiles got no business. This is for only the Jew. And so the wheels down to Jerusalem again, just like I think I've given the illustration before. I don't care what denomination you may be from.
Determined to Go to Jerusalem
Les details the dissension and disputation that caused Paul and Barnabas to be sent to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about the false teaching that Gentiles needed to keep the Law.
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 sets the context for the dispute that led to the Jerusalem council.
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 directly answers why Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem.
Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem to resolve a dispute raised by Judaizers who taught that Gentile believers must be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. The church in Antioch sent them to the apostles and elders to settle this question.
The Jerusalem Council decided that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised but should abstain from certain things. Les Feldick emphasizes the agreement that Paul and Barnabas would go to the Gentiles while Peter, James, and John focused on the Jews.
Watch the Teaching: Why Gentiles Don't Need the Law of Moses — Acts Chapter 15 Explained