What the Bible says about Council at Jerusalem
(From Forerunner Commentary)
The issue in this conference was whether Christians needed to keep the ceremonial aspects of the law of God to have salvation. At no time was the question of keeping the Ten Commandment ever even raised. Because of this, it should be clear that the Sabbath is not a ceremony.
Since believing Pharisees are directly noted in verse 5, the term "circumcision" may very well include the unwritten "Oral Law" that was a part of Pharisaic tradition and not part of the Word of God. In other words, the Pharisees wanted the Gentiles to obey the oral traditions. This is why Peter uses the terms "tempt God" and "yoke of bondage" in verse 10.
John W. Ritenbaugh
The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eighteen)Related Topics: Ceremonial Aspects of the Law | Ceremonial Laws | Jerusalem Council | Tradition | Tradition of Pharisees | Traditions of Men | Yoke of Bondage