In Acts chapter 15 we have an account where Jewish Christians were attempting to bind circumcision on newly converted Gentile Christians. They regarded keeping the old law as indispensable for salvation (vs. 1, 5).  Paul and Barnabas rejected this false teaching and there was “no small dissension and disputation” (vs. 2) over the matter.  With the passing of the Old Covenant, circumcision was now permitted but not required under the New Covenant (Acts 16:3; Gal. 2:3-5). There was conflict in the Church over the need for truth.  Since the matter was not resolved it was determined to go up to the Church at Jerusalem and discuss the matter with them, including the Apostles and elders. (vs. 2-4).

Following this discussion James is recorded as saying “Wherefore my sentence (decision) is that we trouble (harass)not them which from among the Gentiles are turned to God; but that we write unto them that they abstain from pollutions of idols and from fornication and from things strangled and from blood” (vs. 19-20).  And so we see that the stumbling block of harassing fellow Christians over custom is to be stopped.  It is however noteworthy that this passage is not supporting the “big tent/tolerate sin” approach of some today.  The text goes on to call the Gentiles from their sin.

We must always be careful not to put a stumbling block or occasion to fall in our brother’s way (Rom. 14:13). Our goal should always be to save both ourselves and them that hear us (1 Tim. 4:16).

How God Saves – – Keep the Faith.