Acts 15 tells how some men were teaching that nobody can be saved without circumcision, so Paul and Barnabas strongly disputed this and went to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the apostles. Peter addressed them pointing out how God had given the Holy Spirit to converted Gentiles just he had with Jews. So, he said, don't put a yoke on their necks because "it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are". The whole assembly was gripped in silence as they listened to all that Barnabas and Paul told about God's blessing on the Gentiles through their ministry. Then James replied saying: "It is my judgement that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God... and we should abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from strangled animals and blood". Then the Council sent a letter to Antioch with Paul, Barnabas, Judas Barsabbas and Silas saying what James and Paul had earlier declared. The Antioch church was very pleased with the letter's encouraging and embracing content, and Paul and Barnabas stayed there for some time. Later Paul and Barnabas decided to go ministering around the young churches established here and there, but they had a sharp disagreement as to who to take with them so Paul ended up going in one direction with Silas and Barnabas went in another direction with Mark.
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