Acts 15:1-4·~1 min

The Dispute over Circumcision

Some men from Judea begin teaching that salvation requires circumcision according to the custom of Moses, and Paul and Barnabas enter sharp debate with them. The church appoints them and others to go up to Jerusalem about this question.

T¹hen some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” ²And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

Sent on their way by the church, they pass through Phoenicia and Samaria recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to the brothers. On reaching Jerusalem they are welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, to whom they report what God has done.

³Sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, recounting the conversion of the Gentiles and bringing great joy to all the brothers. ⁴On their arrival in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and apostles and elders, to whom they reported all that God had done through them.

Section summarySome men come down from Judea teaching that circumcision according to Moses is necessary for salvation, and Paul and Barnabas engage them in sharp debate. The church then sends them and others to Jerusalem, and on the way through Phoenicia and Samaria their report of Gentile conversion brings great joy before they are welcomed by the church, apostles, and elders in Jerusalem.

Role in the chapterThis opening movement frames the chapter's first great conflict. What had been celebrated in Antioch now becomes a question demanding judgment from the wider church.