When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Church and the Apostles and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and said “It is necessary for them to be circumcised and order to keep the law of Moses.” Acts 15:4-5

There is a controversy over the admission of the Gentiles due to circumcision. First, the Church in Antioch professes a revelation (also Galatians 2:1-2) directed by Holy Spirit to send Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem Church. At the mother Church the Apostles will focus in on the controversy.

On their way they stop at at Phoenicia and Samaria, giving their reports on the Lord’s Gentile conversions. The updating blesses the Church folks, Churches founded by Paul and Barnabas.

Now in Jerusalem, they purposely and prayerfully sift through the controversy. Many of the converts to Christianity at Jerusalem are zealously ready to contend for the observance of circumcision from law. Underlying this is a current of jealousy by the Pharisees for Paul’s conversion of the Gentiles and multitude Church founding.

It is not uncommon to hold onto old beliefs to mix with new Christianity but this therefore makes it expedient that the Apostles confer. While some feel the whole law of Moses, both moral and ritual, is under examination others want to focus solely on the controversy– the matter of circumcision. As the Holy Spirit leads, the Lord’s help is sure.