Originally published March 9, 2011.

“For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision—and ours—not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements: that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things” (Acts 15:28-29, CSB).

After arriving back in Antioch after their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas reported to the church that God “had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (vs. 14:27) in Asia. But some men came to Antioch from Jerusalem teaching that unless you are circumcised you “cannot be saved” (vs. 15:1).

Paul and Barnabas debated with these men about this doctrine and were unable to reach an understanding with them. So, the Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem to discuss the issue with the apostles and elders there. At this time the Jerusalem church was considered the headquarters of the Christian movement.