“And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”
Certain individuals came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers: 'Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved' — the Judaizing crisis erupts when emissaries from Jerusalem insist that gentile salvation requires circumcision (peritemno) and adherence to Mosaic law. The formula cannot be saved (ou dynasthe sōthēnai) makes circumcision salvific, directly contradicting Paul's gospel of justification by faith. This represents the first major theological conflict within the apostolic community.
Church Fathers on Acts 15:1
Mark how at every step of the right progress in respect of the Gentiles, the beginning is brought in as matter of necessity. Before this (Peter) being found fault with, justified himself, and said all that he said in the tone of apology, which was what made his words acceptable: then, the Jews having turned away, upon this (Paul) came to the Gentiles. Here again, seeing another extravagance coming in, upon this (the apostle) enacts the law. For as it is likely that they, as…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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