Council at Jerusalem
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The Council at Jerusalem was the first council of the Christian Church. It was held at Jerusalem to consider the matter of circumcision in about 49 A. D. after Paul's first missionary journey with Barnabas and before his second missionary journey with Silas. The Council included apostles and elders of the Church. James, the half-brother of Jesus, Peter, and Paul are identified as being present.
Some men had come down from Judaea who said, "Unless you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved."[1] (This was the circumcision party, now known as Judaizers.)
Paul and Barnabas had a massive disagreement and argument with them, so it was decided to go up to Jerusalem to settle the question.[2]
The apostles and elders met to consider the matter. Peter said,
"Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
"And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
"And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
"Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
"But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."[3]
Peter evidently was aware of the pain, complications and other risks that are a part of circumcision.
It was then decided that James should write a letter to the Gentile believers.