Some Jews rejected God’s message that “we are no longer under a guardian” which is the law (Galatians 3:25). Though they claimed to believe in Christ, they rebelled, especially when the first Gentiles (non-Jews) were brought into the church. The strictest Jews insisted, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses” (Acts 15:5). But the apostles and elders defended the position revealed by God, saying,
“…He made no distinction between us [Jews] and them [Gentiles], having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” (Acts 15:9-11)
Despite the clear truth revealed by the Spirit, and voiced by apostolic authority, some Jewish members continued to resist. They became known as the Circumcision Party or Judaizers. They, along with non-Christian Jews, opposed the Christianity of grace wherever it went. Eventually they undermined Paul’s missionary work in the region called Galatia, in Asia Minor. Paul’s letter to the Galatians warned that their false teachings were a different gospel, which would bring God’s curse. In seeking to be acceptable to God by returning to the law these people were cutting themselves off from God.