Now while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem, for them to observe. So the churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily. Acts 16:4-5

As Paul and Timothy went about on this second missionary journey, they informed the churches they previously planted and were now following up on, about the decisions made at the Jerusalem council. These Jewish-Gentile issues were important in that day because they set the ground rules for Gentile believers who were joining what began as a mostly Jewish religion.

Apparently the Gentile believers in this mostly Gentile region were encouraged. As a result, the missionary and church planting enterprise gained momentum.

Sadly, some of the Jewish believers who were more strict were not likewise willing to abide by the decisions of the Jerusalem Council. We know this because most of the rest of Paul’s ministry was plagued by the “Judaizers” who followed Paul and sought to put people back under bondage to the Jewish laws and traditions.

While we can understand their zeal for their religion and traditions, they were wrong. How often are there people in the church who are more committed to religious traditions than the Word of God? Sadly, these are also wrong. Let us be sure not to be among that number! Scripture alone!