With the conversion of the Gentiles during the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas, the church is confronted with the question concerning the ethnic identity of Gentiles who enter the people of God (15:1–6). This issue is sharply raised by those believers who are Pharisees, as they insist, “Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses” (15:5). When Paul and Barnabas, among others, go to Jerusalem, they meet with the leaders of the Jerusalem church. The meeting, often called “the Jerusalem council,” provides an important occasion for the clarification of significant issues that touch on the heart of the gospel message. Luke’s report of the meeting focuses on the speeches of Peter (15:7–12) and James (15:13–21), the latter of which concludes with the “apostol…