In this passage, the early Church faces a major debate: must Gentile believers follow the law of Moses, especially circumcision, to be saved? Paul and Barnabas travel to Jerusalem to consult with the apostles and elders. After much discussion, Peter reminds the assembly that God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles just as He did to the Jews, showing no distinction. James then affirms that God's plan includes the Gentiles, quoting the prophets to support this inclusion. The Church agrees: salvation is through grace, not by following the law.
