In Acts 15, the council in Jerusalem addressed a significant question of principle concerning what should be required of Gentile converts to Christianity. The issue at hand was whether these converts were obligated to adhere to the entirety of the law, including circumcision, which symbolized the whole law encompassing ceremonial, civil, and spiritual aspects. Initially, some within the Jerusalem church, particularly those influenced by Pharisaic backgrounds, argued from both expediency and theological conviction that Gentiles should become Israelites first by obeying the full law, partly to avoid persecution from unconverted Jews. This debate evolved from a matter of avoiding persecution to a principled theological argument, with sincere belief that God required adherence to the civil and ceremonial laws. The council faced intense discussion, reflecting the church's first severe internal crisis. Despite the initial discord, the judgment of Peter and James proved pivotal. Peter, speaking from his evangelistic experience, particularly with Cornelius, argued that God granted His Spirit to Gentiles without requiring them to keep the law or be circumcised first. He emphasized that what mattered to God was the heart—whether a person was called, led to repentance, and truly repented—rather than outward legal observances. Peter further noted that even Jews struggled to bear the yoke of the law, suggesting that imposing it on Gentiles was akin to questioning God's judgment. Barnabas and Paul supported this view by reporting how God validated their preaching to Gentiles through signs and wonders, indicating divine approval. James reinforced Peter's testimony, interpreting it as a visitation from God to call out a people for Himself from among the Gentiles. He cited prophecy to show that God was raising up a new spiritual tabernacle, replacing the physical Temple, through which Gentiles would come to know Him. James acknowledged that not all aspects of this change were fully understood, but affirmed that God knew His works from eternity and encouraged faith in His plan. The council's decision outlined four specific observances for Gentiles to follow: abstaining from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and blood. These were rooted in moral and spiritual issues transcending mere ceremonial law, addressing practices integral to pagan worship that Gentiles frequently encountered. The decision also considered expediency, recognizing that flaunting liberty in these matters could provoke undue persecution from unconverted Jews in Gentile cities, thus necessitating sensitivity to cultural and social contexts.

In Acts 15, the stage is set for a significant council in Jerusalem to address a critical issue concerning the conversion of Gentiles. A decision must be made to determine the theological correctness of the approach taken by Paul and Barnabas, which is being questioned by some in Jerusalem. The central issue at hand is whether a Gentile can be saved without adhering to the entirety of the law. This council brings to a head the recognition of what God is doing, as the church does not set aside laws but acknowledges the shift in focus that God has initiated. The testimonies of Peter, Paul, and James, along with unfolding events, confirm that God is moving His work toward a spiritual body, encompassing both Jews and Gentiles, rather than a physical nation bound by civil and ceremonial laws.

In the book of Acts, chapter 15, a significant decision was made regarding the Gentile converts and the law. The assumption in many minds is that the whole law of God was involved in this decision, but the sentence given does not mention any of the Ten Commandments, including the Sabbath. Instead, it focuses only on specific ritual laws, often referred to as the law of Moses. The reasoning behind this decision, as explained by James, is noteworthy. He concluded that there was no need to burden the Gentiles with additional laws because they were already keeping the Sabbath in the synagogues alongside the Jews. In these settings, they would hear teachings about keeping the commandments from the Jewish sermons. At that time, there were no widespread local congregations, so fellowship occurred in synagogues, and the distinction between Jews and Christians was not yet fully defined. This decision in Acts 15 played a crucial role in the evolving separation between the Jewish and Christian faiths, marking a pivotal moment in the early church's development.