Now, that Gentile had been given the blessing of being able to be saved by faith in Christ via Paul and Barnabas' preaching of the Good News. Some men came to Antioch from Judea and insisted that if the Gentiles were going to join the Jewish believers in salvation, then they must be circumcised as was their practice, handed down by Moses. In fact, they told the believers if they did not get circumcised, they would not be saved.
Paul and Barnabas argued "vehemently" (with intense conviction or emotion) with the men from Judea. Finally, the church sent Paul and Barnabas to the church headquarters in Jerusalem to talk with the leaders to settle this dispute. They also sent other believers along to act as witnesses. On the way, they stopped in Phoenicia and told the believers there how the Gentiles were now also being converted which brought great joy.
When they got to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the whole church. Paul and Barnabas told them all about their missionary journey, what they had seen and heard, and what God had done through them.
Some of the believers in the crowd who belonged to the sect of believers called Pharisees stood up and insisted the Gentile converts be circumcised.
Following the meeting at which Paul and Barnabas were sharing their journey, the elders and apostles gathered to solve the dispute about circumcision. After a long discussion, Peter stood and first reminded them that "some time ago" God chose him to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. God knew the hearts of those who believed and God acknowledged their right hearts by giving the gift of the Holy Spirit to them as He did to the Jews. The action of God back then (about 10 years earlier) settled the situation with the Gentiles once and for all. He asked why should God's past decision now be challenged by adding the burden of circumcision. God accepted their transformation by their hearts and added nothing more to it. What reason would there be to burden the Gentiles with the yoke of circumcision under Mosaic Law other than to test God. Paul's speech ended with him saying, "We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus."
Paul and Barnabas continued sharing the events of their missionary journey and the miraculous signs and wonders done through them among the Gentiles.
When they finished, James stood asking them to listen to him. He spoke of Peter's account about the first time God visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for Himself. He explained how the conversion of the Gentiles is exactly what was predicted by the prophets. By doing this, he was giving more validity to their case than just the experiences of Paul and Barnabas. James quoted the Old Testament prophet, Amos, in the book of Amos 9:11-12. The manner in which James spoke still brings about discussion of whether or not the salvation is given to the Gentiles before of after the return of Christ but the point he made was that (regardless of the timing of things) no mention was ever made requiring the Gentiles to be circumcised. James concludes his quoting of the book of Amos with, "The Lord has spoken, he who made these things known so long ago."
James then declared his judgement that they should not make it harder for the Gentiles turning to God by making them be circumcised. His view was that instead of circumcision, they should be telling the Gentiles to not eat of the food offered to idols or the meat of strangled animals, not to consume blood, and to stop sexual immorality. These laws have been preached in the synagogues for many years and are also considered to be part of Jewish ceremonial Law just as circumcision was. However, these laws would tie into scriptures regarding such practices as far back as Genesis, Deuteronomy, Leviticus, and even Revelation. Adhering to these laws established moral rightness and solutions to moral issues commonly practiced and accepted by the Gentiles.
In brief, when eating the meat of strangled animals is mentioned, it was a God given Jewish practice to drain the blood from an animal before the meat was taken and consumed. That also referred to not tearing apart a live animal and eating while the blood still runs through the body nor the drinking of blood after drained. These things were preached and taught in Jewish synagogues for many generations.
The apostles, elders, and church chose delegates, a church leader, Judas, also called Barsabbas, and another church leader, Silas, to go to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas to share their decision by the reading of an official letter.
The letter was written thus;
"This letter is from the apostles and elders, your brothers in Jerusalem. It is written to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.
Greetings!
We understand some men from here have troubled you and upset you with their teaching but we did not send them! So we decided, having come to complete agreement, to send you official representatives, along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are sending Judas and Silas to confirm what we have decided concerning your question.
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well.
Farewell."
The representatives went to Antioch, called a meeting of the believers, and read the letter. There was great joy throughout the church there. Judas and Silas (both prophets) spoke for a long time encouraging them and strengthening their faith. They all stayed for a while but then Judas and Silas returned to Jerusalem having been given a blessing of peace. Paul and Barnabas stayed in Antioch and preached and taught the word of the Lord along with others.
After a time, Paul suggested he and Barnabas return to the cities where they previously preached to see how they were doing. Barnabas agreed and suggested they take John Mark. Paul disagreed because John Mark left them during their last mission journey. Apparently, the disagreement was quite harsh and they parted ways. Barnabas took John Mark and left for Cyprus while Paul left with Silas and upon their departure the believers entrusted them to the care of the Lord. Paul and Silas traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches in those areas.
It is interesting to note that neither Barnabas nor John Mark are ever mentioned again in Acts, nor is Peter after the meetings where he is mentioned in chapter 15.