Men came from Judea teaching that circumcision according to the custom of Moses is necessary for salvation. Paul and Barnabas debated them. Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed by the church (in Antioch) to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria describing the conversion of the Gentiles. In Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, they declared all God had done and what some believers from the party of the Pharisees said about circumcision was necessary to keep the law of Moses. There was much debate, Peter stood up and declared that salvation is by faith alone, by the grace of the Lord Jesus alone. Paul and Barnabas told what God did through them among the Gentiles. James said what Peter said fulfilled the Bible (Amos 9). He concluded they shouldn’t trouble the Gentiles about circumcision but that they should repent from things polluted by idols, sexual immorality, things strangled, and from blood. It seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church (of Jerusalem), to send Judas/Barsabbas and Silas with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. They sent a letter to the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia saying it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and them to lay on them no greater burden than to abstain from what was sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what was strangled, and from sexual immorality. If they keep to that they will do well. They delivered the letter, and rejoiced because of its encouragement. Judas and Silas were prophets, they encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. After some time they sent them back to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas kept teaching and preaching the word of the Lord with many others in Antioch. Paul told Barnabas that they should visit the brothers in the cities where they preached the Word of the Lord and see how they are. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, Paul disagreed because he left them when in Pamphylia. They disagreed and separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus, Paul chose Silas and departed being commended by the brothers. He went to Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches.
Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone, which is given by God’s grace alone. No work of man can add to the salvation of men. Notice too that the church is in agreement with the elders and apostles. Also, notice the concern of the churches for other churches. May God be glorified when churches work together for their encouragement and growth in Christ, and for the spread of the gospel.