Dispute Over Law And Grace

Disputes in the Christian life or in the church are always unsettling and can be very emotional.  A dispute arose on Paul's missionary journey when certain Jews insisted on circumcision and Judaic practices be instilled on the believing Gentiles in Christ.  These Jews were of the notion that the Gentiles had been outside of God's blessing historically and needed to be Jews in their beliefs along with Christ in order to be saved.  Paul and Barnabas were outraged and brought it to a church council in Jerusalem.  Peter and James stood up for the truth and the council prevailed that salvation is only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and no work or religious rite would save and would be a different gospel, Gal.1:6.