Afterward, when it became apparent that the converts among the Gentiles were increasing rapidly, there were a few of the leading brethren at Jerusalem who began to cherish anew their former prejudices against the methods of Paul and his associates. These prejudices strengthened with the passing of the years, until some of the leaders determined that the work of preaching the gospel must henceforth be conducted in accordance with their own ideas. If Paul would conform his methods to certain policies which they advocated they would acknowledge and sustain his work; otherwise they could no longer look upon it with favor or grant it their support.

Da det senere tydeligt viste sig, at de omvendte blandt hedningerne hurtigt voksede i antal, var der nogle få af de ledende brødre i Jerusalem, der på ny begyndte at nære deres tidligere fordomme mod Paulus og hans medarbejderes metoder. Efter som årene gik, blev disse fordomme stærkere, indtil nogle af de ledende bestemte, at arbejdet med at forkynde evangeliet herefter skulle foregå i overensstemmelse med deres egne principper. Hvis Paulus ville indrette sit arbejde efter en særlig fremgangsmåde, som de gjorde sig til talsmænd for, ville de anerkende og støtte hans virksomhed; i modsat fald kunne de ikke mere billige den eller indrømme den deres støtte.