Some men came from Judea to Antioch and started teaching the believers, "You cannot be saved unless you are circumcised as the Law of Moses requires."

But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses."

"It is my opinion," James went on, "that we should not trouble the Gentiles who are turning to God.

We have heard that some who went from our group have troubled and upset you by what they said; they had not, however, received any instruction from us.

The Holy Spirit and we have agreed not to put any other burden on you besides these necessary rules:

Freedom is what we have---Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again.

Once more I warn any man who allows himself to be circumcised that he is obliged to obey the whole Law.

As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.