Acts 15:1

“And certain men which came down from Judea, etc.] To Antioch; they were not sent by the apostles, they came down of “themselves”; who they were, is not certain; that they were “judaizing” Christians, and teachers among them, is plain from the following account: according to Epiphanius f728 they were Cerinthus, and some of his followers: these taught the brethren; the Gentile converts at Antioch, who are styled “brethren”, though they were Gentiles, because they were regenerated by the grace of God, and were of the same faith with the believing Jews, and in the same church state with them at Antioch: and said, except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses; or custom of Moses, which had…”

“COUNCIL AT JERUSALEM TO DECIDE ON THE NECESSITY OF CIRCUMCISION FOR THE GENTILE CONVERTS. (Acts 15:1-35) certain men--See the description of them in Gal 2:4.”

“And certain men - These were undoubtedly men who had been Jews, but who were now converted to Christianity. The fact that they were willing to refer the matter in dispute to the apostles and elders Acts 15:2 shows that they had professedly embraced the Christian religion. The account which follows is a record of the first internal dissension which occurred in the Christian church. Hitherto the church had been struggling against external foes. Violent persecutions had raged, and had fully occupied the attention of Christians. But now the churches were at peace. They enjoyed great external prosperity in Antioch, and the great enemy of souls took occasion then, as he has often done in similar…”

“Coming down from Judea - Perhaps to supply what they thought Paul and Barnabas had omitted. Acts 15:2”

“15:1 These men from Judea were Jewish Christians who taught the necessity of circumcision (and with it, conversion to Judaism) in order to be saved. The central issue was how Gentiles were to be received into Christian fellowship. Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians about this time to counter the same teaching in Galatia (see Galatians Book Introduction, “Date of Writing”).”

“Cir, am 4057, ad 53 certain: Act 21:20; Gal 2:4, Gal 2:12, Gal 2:13 the brethren: Act 15:23 Except: Act 15:5; Rom 4:8-12; Gal 5:1-4; Phi 3:2, Phi 3:3; Col 2:8, Col 2:11, Col 2:12, Col 2:16 after: Gen. 17:10-27; Lev 12:3; Joh 7:22 ye: Act 15:24; Co1 7:18, Co1 7:19; Gal 2:1, Gal 2:3, Gal 5:6, Gal 6:13-16 Acts 15:2”